The Sunset Amphitheater is expected to debut in 2026 at the northwest corner of US 75 and SH 121, project officials said. Speaking before a crowd during the ceremony, Venu Founder and CEO JW Roth thanked city officials and investors for their efforts. The groundbreaking wouldn’t be possible without the “unwavering passion of the folks in McKinney,” he said.
“We are going to build the most luxurious, fully seated, multi-configurational, multi-seasonal venue in history, in McKinney, Texas,” Roth said.
In a nutshell
The entertainment venue was announced in March 2024 and will be located on 46 acres of land previously owned by the McKinney Economic Development Corporation. The land was sold to Venu as part of an incentive package approved by McKinney City Council in April 2024.
Officials from the MEDC, McKinney Community Development Corporation, McKinney City Council and Venu spoke during the event. MEDC President and CEO Michael Kowski said It was an honor to celebrate what’s going to be one of the “most exciting entertainment venues in the entire world.”
The $300 million project is expected to generate $3 billion in economic impact during the first decade it’s open, according to McKinney’s website. The incentive package approved by council members included grants and performance-based reimbursements in the amount of about $50 million.
“McKinney isn’t just open for business,” Kowski said. “We’re ready to steal the spotlight.”
In case you missed it
Sunset Amphitheater will feature 295 fire pit suites and an exclusive private membership-based club known as the Aikman Club. The site will also hold 5,100 parking spaces in a multi-level parking structure.
Development officials announced the open-air facility will be configured to accommodate year-round operation through implementing radiant heating technology. The venue’s configuration will also allow for events in varying sizes including smaller events with about 5,000 attendees and medium-sized events with 14,000 attendees.
The venue is expected to host 70 shows annually featuring major touring artists and will be made available for community events such as high school performances and conferences.
Officials broke down the latest updates on the project during a public meeting held April 22.
Also of note
Angela Richardson-Woods, chairperson of the MCDC Board of Directors, said the venue will put McKinney on the map as a premier destination for live entertainment. MCDC is proud to be a partner in the project, she said.
“With a mission to enhance quality of life for our residents and our visitors, MCDC’s decision to invest $3 million into this iconic space was obviously the best choice we ever could have made,” Richardson-Woods said.
MCDC contributed $3 million to a $26 million grant to be used for parking infrastructure on the project. That grant was approved in April 2024 as part of the city’s incentive package. MEDC contributed $5 million to the same grant.
Outgoing Mayor George Fuller said the venue will boost McKinney’s economy, support local businesses and create jobs. It will also elevate McKinney’s profile as a career destination for music and arts.
“None of this happens without a partnership,” he said. “This is the result of a powerful collaboration between the city of McKinney and the Venu team. It’s proof of what we can accomplish for the public and private sectors when we work together.”
For more information on the project and public-private partnership, visit www.mckinneytexas.org/764/sunset-amphitheater.
