Agreement Brings Industry-Leading Venue Operations, Content and Booking to Downtown Mesa’s Premier Entertainment and Event Destinations
Photo courtesy Legends Global
The City of Mesa and Legends Global announced a five-year public-private partnership under which Legends Global will manage both Mesa Amphitheatre and the Mesa Convention Center, overseeing operations, marketing and strategy for the two downtown venues. The partnership with Legends Global is expected to support meaningful improvements to both the amphitheatre and the adjacent Mesa Convention Center, positioning the venues for long-term growth and the ability to compete for larger concerts, conventions and events across the Valley. The City will retain ownership of both facilities.
Built in the late 1970s, Mesa Amphitheatre seats approximately 5,000 guests and has long been a regional draw for concerts and community events. Under the new agreement, Legends Global will work side by side with the City over the coming years on an upgrade schedule designed to elevate revenue potential, service levels and overall experience for artists and attendees.
The Mesa Convention Center is the largest event venue in the East Valley, offering nearly 40,000 square feet of meeting and exhibit space, including a 19,000-square-foot main exhibit hall, 26 breakout rooms and 40,000 square feet of outdoor function space. The facility hosts more than 300 functions annually, from conventions and trade shows to banquets and community gatherings. Legends Global will bring its operational expertise to elevate the convention center’s service levels and event experience, complementing the improvements planned for the amphitheatre and strengthening downtown Mesa as a destination for meetings and events.
“Mesa Amphitheatre has a rich history of hosting unforgettable shows and City events, and the acts that have graced its stage over the years have left a lasting mark on this community,” said Mesa Mayor Mark Freeman. “This public-private partnership builds on that legacy. By tapping into Legends Global’s relationships and operational expertise, we can bring more people to downtown Mesa and help elevate these venues while serving our community for years to come.”
“Our goal is to expand the quantity, quality and diversity of the entertainment we bring to Mesa, which speaks to all segments of the Mesa community. We want residents and the broader region to feel a sense of connection to and pride in both the convention center and the amphitheatre,” said Josh Kritzler, president, North American Venues & Content, Legends Global. “The region has a lot of positive momentum, which is energizing, and we are confident in our ability to be a key partner in achieving the vision for the City, its residents and visitors.”
The new partnership gives Mesa access to Legends Global’s national network of arenas, stadiums, theaters and convention centers, as well as its expertise in content and booking, helping the amphitheatre attract top-tier artists and events. It also supports Mesa’s broader efforts to strengthen downtown as an arts, entertainment and innovation destination, creating more opportunities to connect visitors attending concerts, conventions and events with downtown businesses, restaurants and cultural attractions.
Legends Global operates major venues in the Valley, including State Farm Stadium and Desert Diamond Arena. The company provides venue management for a network of more than 250 venues in North America, including top stadiums such as Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, and Soldier Field in Chicago; leading arenas such as Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, and Coliseo de Puerto Rico in Puerto Rico; prominent theaters such as The Greek Theatre in Los Angeles, Altria Theater in Richmond, and Coca-Cola Music Hall in Puerto Rico; and local economic-driving convention centers such as Moscone Center in San Francisco, Colorado Convention Center in Denver, and Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia, among many other venues.
