The City of Mesa names Legends Global as the new operator of its Amphitheatre and Convention Center

The City of Mesa has named Legends Global as the new operator of Mesa Amphitheatre and Mesa Convention Center, under a five year public-private partnership announced on October 15.

Legends Global will handle day to day operations, marketing and strategic direction for both venues. The City retains ownership of each site. Mesa Amphitheatre, built in the late 1970s, holds around 5,000 people. Mesa Convention Center offers roughly 40,000 square feet of meeting and exhibit space and hosts more than 300 events a year.

Mayor Mark Freeman said the agreement builds on the amphitheatre’s history and can help bring more people into downtown Mesa. Josh Kritzler, Legends Global’s President of North American Venues and Content, said the company is confident it can support the City’s vision for the venues.

Neither side disclosed financial terms or a schedule for any upgrades. The deal adds Mesa to Legends Global’s growing roster of municipally owned venues it operates on behalf of city governments, a model that has become increasingly common in mid-size markets looking to professionalize venue management without giving up public ownership.