Agreement Brings Industry-Leading Venue Operations, Content and Booking to Downtown Mesa’s Premier Entertainment and Event Destinations
[Mesa, Ariz.] – The City of Mesa and Legends Global announced a five-year public-private partnership in which Legends Global will manage Mesa Amphitheater and the Mesa Convention Center, overseeing operations, marketing, and strategy for both downtown venues. The partnership is expected to drive meaningful improvements to both the amphitheater and the adjacent Mesa Convention Center, positioning the venues for long-term growth and competitiveness for larger concerts, conventions, and events across the Valley. The City will retain ownership of both facilities.
Built in the late 1970s, Mesa Amphitheater seats about 5,000 guests and has long drawn regional audiences 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, complement the planned amphitheater improvements, and strengthen downtown Mesa as a destination for meetings and events.
“Mesa Amphitheater 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 amphitheater,” 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, along with its content and booking expertise, helping the amphitheater 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 Valley venues, 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.
About Legends Global
Legends Global is the premier partner to the world’s greatest live events, venues, and brands. We deliver a fully integrated solution of premium services, including feasibility & consulting, owner’s rep, sales, partnerships, venue management, hospitality, merchandise, and content & booking. Through our white-label approach, we keep our partners front and center while leveraging our global network: over 450 venues, 20,000 events, and 165 million guests annually. To learn more, visit us at www.LegendsGlobal.com and follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram.
