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Covelli Center reports tough 2025 but strong start to 2026; 90 events in 2025, community programming emphasized
Summary
Covelli Center management told the committee that 2025 was financially difficult but that 2026 is off to a strong start: the center hosted 90 events in 2025 (33 community events) and drew about 60,000 people in a strong first quarter of 2026, with 87 events already confirmed including community programming and hockey games.
Representatives of the Covelli Center and its management company briefed the committee on April 14 about last year’s results and plans for 2026.
Mr. Lawrence, speaking for the arena, said 2025 was “our most difficult year financially” because the center had fewer high-revenue shows than expected, though the facility still hosted 90 events in 2025, including 33 community events. He said the first quarter of 2026 has been strong, with several sellouts and roughly 60,000 attendees drawn downtown in that period.
Jordan Ryan of JAC Management Group outlined community-facing programming tied to the amphitheater and downtown complex, including First Fridays, a Juneteenth celebration, a summer movie series and a slate of fundraisers and community festivals. Management said the amphitheater’s outdoor season and community events are a priority alongside revenue-producing shows, and that 2026 already has dozens of confirmed events and hockey dates on the calendar.
Committee members asked about the management contract and the administration’s expectation for the facility to be financially sustainable while continuing community programming; management said they are balancing revenue-producing bookings with outreach events but that second and third quarters historically present promotional challenges.
The committee heard the update and did not take formal action during the meeting.
