CHATTANOOGA, Tenn – (MAY 8, 2026) — Urban Story Ventures announced today a landmark $300 million investment, bringing a next-generation, world-class amphitheater coming to the Bend® in Chattanooga. The venue, named Sunset Amphitheater Chattanooga, is expected to deliver an immersive, more-than-music, multi-seasonal entertainment experience that will redefine live entertainment across the region. One of the most significant entertainment and economic development initiatives in the city’s history, the facility is being developed in partnership with Venu Holding Corporation (“VENU”) (NYSE American: VENU), an award-winning live entertainment and hospitality company known for building premium, experience-driven destinations across the United States. The project reflects strong confidence in Chattanooga’s future as a regional entertainment and tourism hub. The culmination of the development’s partnership is contingent upon the successful completion of public-private partnership incentives currently under negotiation.
The legendary venue will feature approximately 12,500 seats, making it one of the largest live entertainment venues in Tennessee, surpassing Ascend Amphitheater in Nashville. With its anticipated scale and design, featuring a canopied roof allowing it to act both partially enclosed and open air, it will become Chattanooga’s first multi-seasonal facility. Fundamentally expanding the city’s ability to attract major touring acts and large-scale events 365 days a year.
“This is a transformational moment for Chattanooga and for the Bend,” said 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. Our venue will be Chattanooga’s first open-air venue of huge 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.”
The venue will feature expansive traditional bowl seating, lawn seating, and a curated selection of premium spaces exclusive to the VENU® portfolio, including Elevated Owners Clubs and the signature Luxe FireSuites™, all complemented by a wide variety of food and beverage offerings that make it a true year-round destination for residents and visitors alike.
At the heart of the premium experience, VENU’s Luxe FireSuite offer intimate seating around a central fire pit, dedicated in-suite hospitality, and unparalleled sightlines in a private suite environment. Designed for discerning fans, corporate partners, and investors seeking their own stake in the live experience, FireSuites represent one of the most exciting ownership opportunities in the booming live entertainment industry. For more information on FireSuites, visit venu.live/luxefiresuites.
Beyond audience capacity, 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, positioning Chattanooga as a competitive stop on national touring circuits.
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—further underscoring strong confidence in the city’s continued economic momentum.
“This amphitheater represents a once-in-a-generation investment into the city, fundamentally changing the entertainment landscape of Chattanooga and the region,” White added. “It will bring world-class artists to the city and establish the Bend as a premier entertainment destination alongside major U.S. markets like New York, Atlanta, Chicago, and Nashville.”
The development follows months of coordination between Urban Story Ventures and VENU, along with project stakeholders and construction partners. Hoar Construction will serve as the general contractor for the project.
“Chattanooga is something special, and we don’t take lightly the opportunity to be part of what’s being built here,” said JW Roth, Founder, Chairman, and CEO of VENU. “The support we’ve received from the city, and its leadership has been extraordinary, and we are truly grateful. Our goal is simple: to bring world-class entertainment and tourism to a community that deserves it, and to do it in a way that makes Chattanooga proud. We are honored to be planting our flag in Tennessee alongside Urban Story Ventures, and we can’t wait to show this city what we have in store.”
This investment follows extensive planning and collaboration between Urban Story Ventures, VENU, and city and state legislative leadership, underscoring continued confidence in Chattanooga’s trajectory and its position as an emerging hub for live entertainment in the Southeast.
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FireSuite investment opportunities visit venu.live/luxefiresuite
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About Urban Story Ventures
Urban Story Ventures is a Southeast commercial real estate development group based in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Led by Jimmy White, the company’s portfolio focuses on mixed-use, office, industrial, and retail sites, reimagined for their highest and best use. Projects from Tennessee include iconic and historical landmark buildings as well as 100+ acre redevelopments like the Bend. Full-service capabilities include property management, billing, leasing, security, landscaping, and maintenance. For more information, visit UrbanStoryVentures.com.
About the Bend
The Bend® is a transformative, master-planned, mixed-use riverfront development spanning more than 120 acres along the Tennessee River in downtown Chattanooga. Designed as a vibrant, walkable extension of the city, the project reimagines a historic industrial site into a dynamic district that integrates residential housing, retail, dining, office space, hospitality, entertainment, and public green spaces. With a focus on connectivity, sustainability, and community engagement, the Bend will feature over 1,000 residential units, expansive waterfront access, and a signature large-scale entertainment venue—positioning it as a premier destination for living, working, and gathering while driving long-term economic growth for the region. For more information, visit TheBendChattanooga.com
About Venu Holding Corporation
Venu Holding Corporation (“VENU”) (NYSE American: VENU) is a premier owner, developer, and operator of luxury, experience-driven entertainment destinations. Founded by Colorado Springs entrepreneur J.W. Roth, VENU® has a portfolio of premium brands that includes Ford Amphitheater, Sunset Amphitheaters, Phil Long Music Hall, The Hall at Bourbon Brothers, Bourbon Brothers Smokehouse and Tavern, Aikman Owners Clubs, and Roth’s Sea & Steak. With venues operating and in development across Colorado, Georgia, Oklahoma, and Texas and a nationwide expansion underway, VENU is setting a new standard for live entertainment.
VENU has been recognized nationally by The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, Billboard, VenuesNow, and Variety for its innovative and disruptive approach to live entertainment. Through strategic partnerships with industry leaders such as AEG Presents, NFL Hall of Famer and Founder of EIGHT Elite Light Beer, Troy Aikman, Aramark Sports + Entertainment, Tixr, Niall Horan, and Dierks Bentley. VENU continues to shape the future of the entertainment landscape. For more information, visit VENU’s website, Instagram, LinkedIn, or X.
Forward Looking Statements
Certain statements in this press release constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the federal securities laws. Words such as “may,” “might,” “will,” “should,” “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “continue,” “predict,” “forecast,” “project,” “plan,” “intend” or similar expressions, or statements regarding intent, belief, or current expectations, are forward-looking statements. While Venu believes these forward-looking statements are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on any such forward-looking statements, which are based on information available to us on the date of this release. These forward-looking statements are based upon current estimates and assumptions and are subject to various risks and uncertainties, including without limitation those set forth in the company’s filings with the SEC, not limited to Risk Factors relating to its business contained therein. Thus, actual results could be materially different. Venu expressly disclaims any obligation to update or alter statements whether because of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.
Contacts
VENU Media Relations
Chloe Polhamus, [email protected]
