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Long Beach is getting a brand-new stage, and it’s kicking off programming in the most Long Beach way possible. This summer, the long-awaited Long Beach Amphitheater will be christened by hometown hero Snoop Dogg, who headlines the venue’s grand opening concert on June 6.
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The 11,000-capacity amphitheater, set along the waterfront near the Queen Mary, marks the city’s first large-scale outdoor music venue, a major new player in Southern California’s live music landscape. With sweeping views of the harbor and downtown skyline, the space is both a concert destination and a community hub, blending big-name bookings with a distinctly local identity.
And who better to kick things off than Snoop, whose legacy is inseparable from Long Beach and the rise of West Coast hip-hop? His June 6 set is being billed as a full-circle cultural moment for a city that helped shape his sound and career.
“Opening our doors with Snoop Dogg is the perfect way to celebrate Long Beach's rich music legacy and signals our commitment to bringing world-class entertainment to this community,” Tra Jones, general manager of Long Beach Amphitheater for Legends Global, said in an official statement. “This venue will be built to honor the city's creative spirit, and there's no better artist to launch that mission.”
The rest of the inaugural lineup makes it clear the venue is aiming wide. The season includes shows from Lil Wayne and 2 Chainz (August 1), Nas & The Roots (August 28) and a co-headlining night with Toto, Christopher Cross and The Romantics (August 14). Elsewhere on the calendar are Luke Bryan, Los Ángeles Azules, Deep Purple and Mötley Crüe, signaling a genre-spanning approach from day one.
Beyond the bookings, the amphitheater is leaning hard into experience, with plans for premium seating tiers with dedicated entrances, in-seat service and VIP lounges. Organizers are pitching it as Southern California’s only waterfront concert destination, which, if it delivers, could make it a serious draw during peak summer months.
Tickets for the Snoop Dogg opening night go on presale starting April 1, with general sales launching April 3. Given the combination of hometown pride, brand-new venue and one of hip-hop’s most enduring stars, expect those to move fast.
For more information and to buy tickets, click here.