Dec 19, 2025 - News

North Minneapolis amphitheater secures financing

Nick Halter

View of a large outdoor concert at CPAC venue near a river, with a stage lit in red, a seated crowd, a green park, and fireworks over a city skyline in the background at dusk. — Developers still hope for summer 2027 concerts here. Rendering: Courtesy of the city of Minneapolis

First Avenue and the Minnesota Orchestra secured financing for their long-planned North Minneapolis riverfront amphitheater on Wednesday, they confirmed to Axios.

Why it matters: The two organizations had hoped to break ground in September, but that never happened, raising questions about whether the 8,000-seat concert venue would be ready for a previously planned Memorial Day weekend 2027 opening.

The latest: Minnesota Orchestra spokesperson Gwen Pappas said in an email that the project is now cleared for a spring 2026 groundbreaking and is still targeting a summer 2027 opening.

In addition to locking down financing, the project has also secured a $12.5 million state grant and executed land leases with the city.

Between the lines: The 16-month construction timeline might seem aggressive, but the 7,210-seat CHS Field was built in about a year.

Go deeper: Background on the amphitheater, which First Avenue has compared to Red Rocks in Colorado.

Add Axios on Google

North Minneapolis amphitheater secures financing

More Twin Cities stories