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Long Beach Celebrates Grand Opening of New F&M Bank Amphitheater
By Staff Writer
Published on Thu, Jun 18, 2026
A new chapter for live entertainment has officially arrived on the Long Beach waterfront.
The City of Long Beach and Legends Global celebrated the grand opening of the new F&M Bank Amphitheater of Long Beach, welcoming thousands of fans to the venue’s inaugural sold-out concert and marking a major milestone in the city’s growing reputation as a premier destination for music, entertainment and tourism.
The highly anticipated opening drew 11,000 attendees to the Downtown waterfront, where Long Beach native Snoop Dogg headlined the venue’s first concert in front of a packed crowd.
Situated along the waterfront near the historic Queen Mary and Harry Bridges Memorial Park, the new venue offers sweeping views of the Long Beach skyline and is now the largest waterfront amphitheater on the West Coast.
Designed to host up to 40 large-scale events each year, the amphitheater is expected to become a major gathering place for concerts, community celebrations, festivals and special events, attracting visitors from across Southern California and beyond.
The venue combines an open-air concert experience with premium amenities, including VIP lounges, upgraded viewing areas, in-seat service and dedicated guest entrances. Visitors will also have access to a variety of transportation options designed to support accessibility and sustainability.
The amphitheater is a key component of Long Beach’s broader vision to strengthen its waterfront, support tourism and create new economic opportunities through arts and entertainment.
The $21.3 million project was funded through the City’s Tidelands Funds Group and is expected to generate between $2.5 million and $3 million in annual net operating income once fully operational. These revenues will repay the initial investment over time without relying on taxpayer funding. The venue and its proposed management model are key components of the City’s broader effort to position itself as a top-tier music, entertainment and tourism destination, an initiative outlined in the Mayor’s and City Council’s Grow Long Beach Initiative and central to the City’s upcoming Entertainment Strategic Plan.
The excitement is only beginning. A packed lineup of performances is already scheduled for the months ahead, including concerts featuring Ice Cube, Lil Wayne, Luke Bryan, Nas, Miguel, Big Sean, Mötley Crüe and many others.
As the newest addition to Long Beach’s evolving waterfront, the F&M Bank Amphitheater is poised to become a signature destination for live entertainment, bringing world-class performances, new visitors and unforgettable experiences to the city for years to come.
