Partners Unveil Plan for Outdoor Amphitheater on The Riverfront in Cleveland
KEY TAKEAWAYS
Live Nation will operate a new 6,200-capacity amphitheater in downtown Cleveland, part of a transformational development that will draw visitors, vitality and economic development to the city
The venue will give artists another reason to play Cleveland, give fans more of the shows they want close to home, and generate $59 million in annual economic impact
Bedrock and Rock Entertainment Group will bring an outdoor amphitheater to downtown Cleveland as part of its transformational development on The Riverfront. The 6,200-seat entertainment venue will be operated under an agreement with Live Nation, which has a long history of promoting live entertainment in Cleveland, to host concerts, festivals and other events. Adjacent to the Cleveland Cavaliers’ Cleveland Clinic Global Peak Performance Center, the amphitheater amplifies Bedrock’s vision to create an active waterfront destination with publicly accessible, open space for the community in downtown Cleveland.
“This outdoor amphitheater on the Cuyahoga River will be a dynamic community gathering place and a strategic investment in downtown Cleveland’s growing experience-driven economy,” said Nic Barlage, Rock Entertainment Group CEO who oversees Bedrock’s strategic direction in Cleveland. “In partnership with global powerhouse Live Nation, we will deliver a new premier venue that draws visitors, vitality and economic development to the urban core and continues our transformation of the riverfront into an active, energized destination.”
Part of a burgeoning entertainment ecosystem in Cleveland, the proposed amphitheater will showcase a range of performances across genres, from national headliners to global touring acts and local artists. Capitalizing on exceptional seasonal views of the Cuyahoga River and city skyline, the venue is projected to attract thousands of annual visitors to the city center, generating nearly $59M in economic impact. The first new large music venue to be built in Cleveland in more than 20 years, it will fill a void in the market and reinforce the city’s position as a music capital of the world.
“Cleveland has always been one of America’s great music cities, and this amphitheater is about raising the bar to match that legacy,” said Live Nation Ohio Market President Michael Belkin “By creating a modern, leading outdoor venue on the riverfront, we’re giving artists another reason to play Cleveland, giving fans more of the shows they want close to home. This investment not only honors the city’s rock ‘n’ roll roots, it positions Cleveland to compete with other regional markets for the biggest tours in the country.”
Bedrock has enlisted local architecture firm DLR Group as the lead designer for the amphitheater with support from Blueprint Studio, Live Nation’s in-house design and development group. Designed for both energy and intimacy, the venue will be big enough for national touring acts while maintaining an artist-audience connection.
The project is a component of The Riverfront—a catalytic plan to reimagine 35 acres of underutilized land along the Cuyahoga River and historic Tower City. Development on The Riverfront is well underway; Bedrock has advanced major infrastructure and site work along the waterfront and the Cleveland Clinic Global Peak Performance Center is fully enclosed and will be operational next year.
“A new outdoor music venue along the Cuyahoga riverfront reflects the type of resident and visitor experience that we want here in downtown Cleveland. The amphitheater will add a vibrant destination for entertainment and culture, helping to strengthen downtown, drive economic impact and advance our shore-to-core-to-shore strategy,” said Cleveland Mayor Justin M. Bibb. “Bedrock and Rock Entertainment Group have delivered significant projects to our city, most recently with the Cleveland Clinic Global Peak Performance Center and Cosm Cleveland, and I look forward to seeing this next project come to life.”
Bedrock and Rock Entertainment Group’s plans for The Riverfront, Tower City and Rock Block are part of a larger focus to expedite an experience-driven economy in Cleveland. This includes the riverfront amphitheater and anticipated unveilings of Cosm Cleveland, the Cavs’ Cleveland Clinic Global Peak Performance Center, mixed-income residential options, a 3,000-foot publicly accessible riverwalk and more. The Riverfront is an integral component of City of Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb’s transformational Shore-to-Core-to-Shore (SCS) development plan. The SCS connects Cleveland’s core Downtown Business District and Neighborhood to its two waterfronts—the Cuyahoga River and Lake Erie through a series of urban spaces, parks, streets and plazas.
About Bedrock
Bedrock is an award-winning real estate developer focused on comprehensive city building initiatives in Detroit and Cleveland. Its work includes creating iconic cityscapes, rehabilitating historic properties and making space for the community—all with the philosophy of operating for more than profit.
Since 2011, Bedrock has invested and committed more than $7.5 billion to develop and restore more than 140 properties, totaling over 21 million square feet of office, retail, residential, hospitality, industrial, data centers and parking. In 2024, Bedrock was named one of the world’s Most Innovative Companies by Fast Company.
For additional information about Bedrock, please visit BedrockCleveland.com or connect with us on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.
About Rock Entertainment Group
Rock Entertainment Group (REG), formed in 2021 under the Dan Gilbert ROCK Family of Companies, oversees a diverse portfolio of sports and entertainment properties. These include the NBA’s Cleveland Cavaliers, WNBA’s Cleveland expansion team coming in 2028, AHL’s Cleveland Monsters and NBA G League’s Cleveland Charge. REG operates and manages Rocket Arena and Cleveland Clinic Courts in Independence, Ohio. In partnership with Gray Media, REG also owns and operates Rock Entertainment Sports Network, providing 24/7 local Ohio sports and entertainment programming. Rock Entertainment Group unifies multiple sports, venues, music, and content properties, fostering collaboration, growth and new opportunities while delivering exceptional experiences for fans, teams, partners and staff.
About Live Nation Entertainment
Live Nation Entertainment (NYSE: LYV) is the world’s leading live entertainment company comprised of global market leaders: Ticketmaster, Live Nation Concerts, and Live Nation Sponsorship. For additional information, visit livenationentertainment.com.