Council approves $1 amphitheater facility-fee increase and adopts 2026 operating budget for Capital Federal Amphitheater

ANDOVER — The Andover City Council on Tuesday approved a contract amendment with Legends Global that raises the facility fee for the Capital Federal Amphitheater by $1 and adopted Legends Global’s 2026 operating budget for the venue.

Council staff said the $1 increase (from $4 to $5) is intended to defray operating costs and contributions to the Andover Convention and Visitors Bureau; AJ Boleski, regional general manager for Legends Global, said the fee is forecast to generate $12,236 for the 2026 budget. "Just so you know what that one extra dollar equates to," Boleski said.

In presenting the 2026 operating budget, Boleski described recent results and the plan for next year. He said the company forecasts this year's loss at $235,000, which was reduced to $222,500 after Legends Global agreed to cut its incentive by 50 percent, and that the proposed 2026 budget shows a projected loss of $220,000. "So we are presenting a budget for next year with a loss of minus 220,000," Boleski said.

Budget assumptions include six touring concerts, continuation of the free Odyssey summer concert series, and use of the newly added lodge in the amphitheater complex. Legends Global and city staff agreed on a starting assumption of 15 full-day lodge rentals (with catering) and 15 half-day rentals for 2026, for a total of about 30 lodge events. The company also plans to budget for two full-time, year-round staff positions (an amphitheater director and a marketing/box office manager); staff said the marketing hire would likely be recruited beginning in January.

Boleski noted insurance allocations are negotiated at corporate level and allocated by attendance and food-and-beverage sales; he said the per-person allocation was about $0.90 plus a share of food-and-beverage revenues.

Council member Judy O'Kady moved to approve the contract amendment and later moved to adopt the 2026 operating budget; both actions were seconded and approved on voice votes, recorded as carried 5-0.

The council discussion included questions about bookings and staffing. Boleski said the venue is holding space for six to seven potential touring shows and that booking activity typically intensifies between Thanksgiving and January.

The council approved both the contract amendment and the budget; no additional appropriations were requested at the meeting. The operator said the goal is to avoid returning to the council for further funding in 2026.

What happens next: The budget and contract amendment take effect under the city's normal contract and budget processes; Legends Global will proceed with bookings, recruitment for the marketing position, and the lodge rental program in 2026.