Metro Nashville Selects Opry Entertainment Group to Operate Ascend Amphitheater

The 6,800-capacity outdoor amphitheater was previously operated by Live Nation. The Ascend Amphitheater in Nashville, Tenn. Raymond Boyd/Getty Images Nashville’s Ascend Amphitheater is getting a new operator. Metro Nashville has notified Ryman Hospitality Properties (RHP) that it intends to have RHP’s Opry Entertainment Group (OEG) operate Ascend Amphitheater for the next decade. The deal is subject to successful negotiation between the two parties. Axios first reported the news. Colin Reed, executive chairman of RHP’s board of directors, tells Billboard he expects the negotiations to conclude within the next three months and that the 10-year contract will take effect Jan. 1, 2026. It’s a realization of a dream for RHP that began even before the 6,800-capacity outdoor venue opened in 2015. “We applied for this a decade ago when the city was deciding they were going to build [Ascend],” he says. “We and Live Nation bid 10 years ago. We loved the space then and we really love the space now.” RHP has aready committed capital to “beautify the project,” Reed says. “Upgrade it and make it more of an experience for the consumer.” Trending on Billboard RHP was selected over Live Nation and AEG. “We really put our front foot
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