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Peoria Civic Center reports record revenue, council approves 2026 budget
Summary
Peoria Civic Center Authority reported record adjusted gross income for the fiscal year and presented a 2026 budget that council approved unanimously; staff warned of a planned 100–120 day arena shutdown for ice-plant work and short-term revenue impacts.
The Peoria City Council on Sept. 23 received a report from the Peoria Civic Center Authority showing the venue’s strongest year on record and unanimously approved the Civic Center’s 2026 annual budget.
The Civic Center’s general manager, Rick Edgar, told the council the venue posted an adjusted gross income exceeding $8,000,000 for the first time in its history, concession sales topped $4,200,000 and ticket sales reached $15,900,000. Edgar highlighted the Broadway run of Wicked, noting about $2,700,000 in sales from that engagement will post to next year’s tax roll because of timing.
The budget approval follows a full annual report to the council. The report credited stronger concession merchandising, new naming-rights revenue for the Prairie Home Alliance Theater marquee and an expanded slate of events for the gains. Edgar said the Civic Center sold more than 200,000 tickets online this year and that about 65% of attendees came from outside Peoria and often traveled more than 50 miles to attend events, producing broader downtown economic activity.
Edgar also detailed capital investments and operating pressures. The center will close its arena for 100–120 days next year for ice-plant and other upgrades; the closure will temporarily reduce revenue and require the authority to fund payroll during the shutdown. Edgar said the authority plans to avoid furloughs or layoffs during construction and has budgeted roughly $1.2 million in payroll to cover that period. He also noted insurance and wage pressures: insurance rates rose about 12.5% and overall expenses increased roughly 10% year over year despite operational conservation measures (electric use down 15%, gas down 43%).
Council liaison and Civic Center Authority member Councilman Riggenbach praised staff and volunteers and acknowledged the expected near-term effect of the arena shutdown on totals for 2026.
The council voted to approve item 25‑271 — the Civic Center 2025 annual report and the 2026 budget — with a motion by Councilman Riggenbach and a second from Councilman Euler. The motion passed unanimously.
The vote gives the Civic Center authority the operating and capital direction described in the presentation, including continued support for community programs such as the “Staging the Future” ticket program for underserved youth and ongoing capital projects funded in partnership with the city and state.
The authority will return to council with any material capital or scheduling updates during the construction period.
