The Long Beach Planning Commission is poised to sign off on a proposed waterfront concert venue steps from the Queen Mary.

On November 6, the Commission is poised to review designs for the Long Beach Amphitheater, which would rise from a roughly 7.1-acre site at 1051 Queens Highway that is currently used as overflow parking for the Queen Mary. Plans call for installing prefabricated structures up to 51 feet in height - including a performance stage, bleacher-style seating, concessions areas, lounges, and offices - with seating for 11,000 and standing room capacity for 12,000 attendees.

Construction of the venue is expected to begin in Summer 2026, after which point the amphitheater will operate for an initial term of 10 years, with an option to extend.

Renderings of proposed Long Beach Bowl temporary amphitheater, anticipated to hold 10,000 to 12,000 seats and be located adjacent to the iconic Queen Mary in DowntownCity of Long Beach

A staff report notes that the area surrounding the Queen Mary already plays hosts to large events, including Insomniac music festivals, Fourth of July fireworks, the Dark Harbor Halloween Festival, and New Year’s Eve celebrations, with some attracting as many as 30,000 visitors. The amphitheater is expected to attract as many as 300,000 people each year, hosting 84 large-scale events and 20 smaller, single-day events.

ASM Global/Legends, which also manages the Long Beach Convention Center, has been tapped as the operator of the amphitheater, and will be responsible for booking events, marketing, and staffing.

Long Beach is not the only waterfront community with designs on a new concert venue. A 6,200-seat amphitheater is also to be built as part of the West Harbor development in San Pedro.

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