PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (CelebrityAccess) The Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians and Oak View Group have announced they will build a new, privately funded arena on Agua Caliente land in downtown Palm Springs, Calif., with Live Nation signed on as a strategic partner.
Additionally, NHL Seattle, led by owner David Bonderman, and OVG have jointly submitted an application for the 32nd AHL Franchise expansion team that would, if accepted, play at the arena in 2021.
The arena is expected to be situated on 16 acres of tribal land and will have approximately 10,000 seats or more, with suites and hospitality clubs. There will be an adjoining facility that will serve as a year-round community gathering space as well as training center for the potential AHL team.
“This is a unique partnership that will forever change the face of sports and entertainment in Palm Springs and the Coachella Valley,” Tribal Chairman Jeff L. Grubbe says. “We are creating a healthy community gathering place for Coachella Valley families and visitors from around the world to celebrate, play and experience diverse entertainment opportunities in a state-of-the-art arena.”
The arena is expected to open by fall 2021 in coordination with the Seattle NHL franchise for the 2021-2022 AHL season. Oak View Group is currently leading and financing a $900 million-plus project at Seattle’s KeyArena that, when completed in 2021, will be home to Seattle’s NHL team.
“With each venue, we’ve had the privilege of building and managing, Oak View Group has consistently continued to raise the industry standard, and the arena in Palm Springs will be no exception,” said Tim Leiweke, CEO of Oak View Group. “We look forward to working with Agua Caliente to build what we consider to be one of the most premiere music and professional sports arenas in the world.”
“The new arena in downtown Palm Springs is a terrific project. If we are successful with our application for an AHL Franchise, it would represent an exciting opportunity to bring the first professional hockey team to this region,” said Tod Leiweke, CEO of NHL Seattle. “We are confident that the market is ready to embrace a winter sports team and that the community will help us achieve the minimum level of season tickets and premium sales we need.”
“We’re pleased to be able to partner with Oak View Group and Agua Caliente for this new state-of-the-art arena and look forward to bringing in top touring artists and live events to the valley for years to come,” said Bob Roux, President, US Concerts, Live Nation Entertainment.