VENU to Build $300 Million Sunset Amphitheater in Chattanooga, Expanding into Tennessee

Venu Holding Corporation (VENU) announced it has entered into an agreement to purchase a 15-acre parcel of land for an expansion into Tennessee. The planned amphitheater at the Bend in Chattanooga will be named Sunset Amphitheater Chattanooga.

The total investment is anticipated to be $300 million. Entering into the purchase agreement represents another milestone in the company’s continued national portfolio growth.

Developed in partnership with Urban Story Ventures, the project will deliver an immersive, omni-content, multi-seasonal entertainment experience into one of the Southeast’s fastest-growing markets. The development is contingent upon the successful completion of public-private partnership incentives currently under negotiation.

The venue will feature approximately 12,500 seats, making it one of the largest live entertainment venues in Tennessee. The venue features a canopied roof designed to function as both partially enclosed and open air making it Chattanooga’s first multi-seasonal facility.

“This is exactly the kind of strategic expansion opportunity our shareholders expect from us,” stated JW Roth, Founder, Chairman and CEO of Venu Holding Corporation in the release. “Chattanooga is a high-growth market with a proven appetite for live entertainment and a city leadership team that understands the economic power of what we are building together. We are grateful for the trust of this community and committed to delivering a destination that makes Chattanooga proud for generations to come.”

The venue will feature traditional bowl seating, lawn seating and a curated selection of premium spaces exclusive to the VENU portfolio, including Owners Clubs and the signature Luxe FireSuites, all complemented by a wide variety of food and beverage offerings.

The amphitheater is expected to include artist-focused amenities such as green rooms and hospitality suites designed to enhance the pre- and post-show experience for performers and production teams.

“This is a transformational moment for Chattanooga and for the Bend,” added Jimmy White, President & Managing Partner of Urban Story Ventures. ” At present, the city only has indoor live entertainment venues with capacities topping out around 3,800. This venue will be Chattanooga’s first open-air venue of this scale, with a capacity of 12,500, more than doubling what the city currently offers. This will fundamentally change the types of artists and events Chattanooga can attract and position us for national and international opportunities.”

VENU states the project is projected to generate more than $4.2 billion in direct and indirect regional economic impact, supporting tourism growth, job creation, hospitality expansion and long-term investment throughout Chattanooga and the surrounding region.

This investment follows extensive planning and collaboration between VENU, Urban Story Ventures and city and state legislative leadership. Hoar Construction will serve as the general contractor for the project.

_Originally reported by [Pollstar](https://news.pollstar.com/2026/05/13/venu-announces-expansion-plans-with-300-million-amphitheater-in-chattanooga/)._