Construction confirmed to start in late September, with work complete in time for The Amp's 40th anniversary season in 2027
Vail, Colo., July 30, 2026 - The Vail Valley Foundation (VVF) will begin phase two of a $19 million renovation at the Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater in late September, following approval on July 29 from the nonprofit’s board executive committee. Work is scheduled to conclude by the beginning of April 2027, delivering exciting improvements in time for the amphitheater's 40th anniversary season.
Phase two continues the most significant transformation in the iconic outdoor venue's history. The work will expand both the east and south concessions areas, enlarge the loading dock, and upgrade utility infrastructure across the site. The concessions expansion will materially improve food and beverage options, menu offerings, and transaction times, while the larger loading dock will greatly improve the load-in and load-out process, enhancing production and artist logistics.
"As we look ahead to a milestone 40th anniversary season, we could not be more excited about what phase two means for this venue and everyone who visits it each summer," said Mike Imhof, president and CEO of the Vail Valley Foundation. "The Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater has grown into one of the greatest outdoor venues in the country because of the patrons who have filled it and the partners who have believed in it: from Bravo! Vail and the Town of Vail to the many donors and neighbors who have invested alongside us over the years. These improvements honor that legacy and prepare The Amp for the next generation, so we can keep elevating our programming and bringing incredible live performance to this community for decades to come."
"It is a privilege to help guide this incredible venue into its next phase of life," said David Kaselak, principal at Zehren and Associates and lead architect on the Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater improvements. "Our goal throughout has been to honor the original architecture that makes The Amp so distinctive while improving the spaces guests move through every night. The phase two work reimagines the concessions and the areas around them so that arriving, gathering, and grabbing something to eat all feel easier and more welcoming, which is really what a great night out is about."
Three phases, one transformed venue
Phase one of the renovations, completed this spring, replaced all pavilion seating with new myrtle green upholstered seats with cup holders, and added hand railings, concrete floor repairs, no-slip texturing, fresh paint, and an expanded sound and production booth. MacAllister Construction was the general contractor for phase one and will be once again for phase two.
The third and final phase will include a significantly expanded box office; renovated and elevated back-of-house areas in including green rooms, dressing rooms, bathrooms and all operational spaces; a new two-story north concessions building with a multi-use studio and special event space; and all remaining utility upgrades. The entire project is set to be completed by May 25, 2028. All work is being strategically phased during off-season months so the community's enjoyment of The Amp during the summer performance season is never interrupted.
Taken together, the full $19 million renovation will allow The Amp to meet artist, production and guest needs across a season that regularly spans April through October. It will help the venue increase diverse programming by 25% during the peak summer season, improve food and beverage operations, attract the most iconic artists in the world, and ensure that Bravo! Vail Music Festival and Vail Dance Festival maintain their positions as world-renowned classical music and dance festivals. The project is also projected to increase economic impact for the Town of Vail by several million dollars annually.
A transformation for a milestone season
By the time The Amp opens for its 40th anniversary season in 2027, the phase two improvements will be complete, and audiences will be able to experience the newly expanded east and south concessions. The venue has undergone multiple renovations since it first opened in 1987 as a modest open-air stage, and four decades later, it stands as one of the region's defining cultural landmarks. From spring through fall, it hosts headline concerts and comedy, the free Bulleit Hot Summer Nights concert series, the Bravo! Vail Music Festival, graduations, and more.
"Bravo! Vail is proud to partner with the VVF in this campaign to invest in the future of the Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater,” said Caitlin Murray, president and CEO of Bravo! Vail Music Festival. “These improvements will enhance everyone’s experience in the venue and ensure we can continue to present world-class music in the heart of Vail.”
The confirmation of phase two comes just ahead of one of the amphitheater's marquee summer events: The Vail Dance Festival opens this Friday, July 31, and runs through August 10. The Amp has served as the Festival's home since it began in 1989, hosting most of its performances. The venue’s full transformation will wrap up the year before the Festival celebrates its own 40th anniversary in 2029.
Empowering Possibility Capital Campaign
The Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater renovation is part of the Vail Valley Foundation's $74 million Empowering Possibility Capital Campaign, a once-in-a-generation initiative to invest in the future of arts, athletics, education, and community support services across the Eagle River Valley.
To date, the VVF has raised approximately $46 million toward the overall $74 million goal and $13 million toward the $19 million Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater renovation, with Bravo! Vail generously contributing $5 million. To learn more or contribute, visit empower.vvf.org.
For the full Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater performance schedule and venue information, visit grfavail.com.
###
About the Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater
Each summer, the Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater in Vail plays host to an array of cultural and entertainment offerings, ranging from headliner music and comedy, to internationally renowned dance and classical music presentations, courtesy of the Vail Dance Festival and the Bravo! Vail Music Festival, to the free Tuesday night concerts of the Bulleit Hot Summer Nights series. In addition, community events annually grace the Amphitheater stage. The venue, named after President Gerald R. Ford and family, opened in 1987, and is operated by the nonprofit Vail Valley Foundation.
Learn more at grfavail.com.
About the Vail Valley Foundation
The Vail Valley Foundation is a 501(c)(3) Colorado nonprofit with a mission to provide leadership in arts, athletics, and education, and address community needs to enhance our valley as a place to live, work, and visit.
The organization's work in education is through Youth Power, a 501(c)(3) Colorado nonprofit corporation which provides programs from early childhood to college and career to support youth and families every step of the way. The VVF puts on several annual events including the GoPro Mountain Games, Stifel Birds of Prey Audi FIS Ski World Cup races, Vail Dance Festival, and Bulleit Hot Summer Nights and Town of Eagle ShowDown Town free concert series. The organization manages the Vilar Performing Arts Center in Beaver Creek and the Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater in Vail, hosting over 150 events annually. The VVF also operates Eagle River Valley Childcare, a 501(c)(3) Colorado nonprofit corporation focused on enhancing early childhood education and development services across the community.
Vail Valley Foundation is grateful for our cornerstone partners: Town of Vail, Vail Resorts, Beaver Creek Resort Company, GoPro, Nature Valley, Constellation Brands, CELSIUS, Diageo, Lucid, Lifetime Home Remodeling, and Slifer Smith & Frampton Real Estate.
To learn more, visit vvf.org.
