ATLANTA — Centennial Yards Co. has executed a long-term lease with event promoter Live Nation to operate a new live music and entertainment venue in downtown Atlanta. The 5,300-seat venue will anchor the under-construction sports and entertainment district within Centennial Yards, a $5 billion mixed-use project set to transform a long-underutilized section of the city into a walkable destination.
The Live Nation theater will showcase a range of performances across genres, from global touring acts to national headliners and local artists. The facility will complement the city’s existing entertainment landscape, including Tabernacle concert hall, Fox Theatre and Buckhead Theatre as well as Mercedes-Benz Stadium (home of the NFL’s Atlanta Falcons and MLS’ Atlanta United) and State Farm Arena (home of the NBA’s Atlanta Hawks).
“Centennial Yards is poised to be the epicenter of sports and entertainment for the southeastern United States, where people of all ages can enjoy concerts, sporting events, bars, restaurants and retail stores — all in one vibrant mixed-use district,” says Brian McGowan, president of Centennial Yards Co. “Partnering with Live Nation brings us one step closer to creating a thriving hub where unforgettable experiences happen. This new Centennial Yards entertainment venue is exactly what our region needs and adds a key element to what has already been a catalyst for the revitalization of downtown Atlanta.”
At Centennial Yards, Live Nation will join Cosm, a 70,000-square-foot, three-level immersive entertainment venue; Hotel Phoenix, a 292-room hotel; and The Mitchell, a 304-unit apartment tower. All three of those components are slated to open later this year in advance of Atlanta serving as a host city for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The Live Nation indoor theater is slated to debut in 2027, according to The Wall Street Journal.
The master plan for the 50-acre Centennial Yards includes more than 8 million square feet of residential, retail, hotel and entertainment space. Centennial Yards South is currently open, offering the Centennial Lofts multifamily complex for students and young professionals. Wild Leap Brewery hosts sporting events with beer and handcrafted cocktails. Before ticketed events, the Tailgating Experience on Steele Bridge provides food trucks, live music, face painting and fan activities.
Centennial Yards Co. serves as the master developer for Centennial Yards in partnership with an affiliate of CIM Group and a group led by billionaire businessman Tony Ressler, principal owner of the Atlanta Hawks.
— Kristin Harlow