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Long Beach plans waterfront amphitheater, Olympic venues and Belmont Pool rebuild ahead of LA28

City of Long Beach · January 14, 2026

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Summary

Mayor Richardson announced a new waterfront amphitheater opening in June with public-private sponsorship covering more than half the cost, Speedo's North American headquarters, World Cup fan zone funding, and the City Council's Jan. 20 review of the Belmont Pool final plan to complete work by summer 2028.

Mayor Rex Richardson announced the city will break ground on a waterfront amphitheater whose opening show is scheduled for June 6, with an inaugural season of about 25 shows and plans to double by year two. He said the city has secured more than $11,000,000 in sponsorships through public-private partnerships—covering more than half of the facility’s cost—and that the venue will be union-built and operate under the city's Olympic living-wage standard.

Richardson also said Speedo will locate its North American headquarters in Long Beach. Joel Harris, president of Speedo North America, addressed the audience and expressed the company’s commitment to partnering with the city for LA28 activities.

On recreation infrastructure, Richardson announced the city is moving forward with plans to rebuild Belmont Pool; he said the Long Beach City Council will consider the final plan on Jan. 20 and the project is intended to be completed by summer 2028 to serve schools, athletes and families.

The mayor added the city will host a multi-week FIFA World Cup fan zone on Pine Avenue backed by a $378,000 Metro grant and said more event details and sponsors will be announced in the coming weeks.

Next steps: The City Council's Jan. 20 consideration of the Belmont Pool final plan is the next procedural milestone; the amphitheater and Speedo headquarters will proceed under the terms described and through public-private partnership agreements.