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Nashville's Ascend Amphitheater gets new leadership, investment with Opry Entertainment

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  Published in Media and Entertainment on Monday, September 8th 2025 at 14:15 GMT by Tennessean
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Opry Entertainment Management Unveils the New Ascend Amphitheater – Nashville’s Next Iconic Music Venue

In a move that has excited both Nashville’s music‑industry insiders and residents alike, Opry Entertainment Management (OEM) announced the opening of the Ascend Amphitheater, a brand‑new open‑air venue that will sit in the heart of the city’s thriving music district. The announcement, published by The Tennessean on September 8, 2025, details the facility’s design, capacity, management structure, and its intended role in expanding the Grand Ole Opry’s reach beyond the historic Ryman Auditorium.

A New Home for Live Music

The Ascend Amphitheater is slated to open its doors in early 2026 and will seat approximately 9,500 people, with an additional 3,000 standing places in a dedicated “Encore” area. The venue’s location—at the corner of 16th Avenue South and Highland Avenue—places it within walking distance of the Opry’s existing complex while still providing room for its own unique architectural character. OEM’s plan is to make the amphitheater a year‑round destination, hosting a mix of concerts, festivals, and community events that range from country music showcases to indie rock nights and jazz weekends.

The amphitheater’s design emphasizes the blend of Nashville’s storied musical past with forward‑looking sustainability. According to the report, the stage area will be supported by a modular sound‑system capable of delivering high‑fidelity audio even on a large open‑air stage. The surrounding seating bowl is made from locally sourced timber and features a shading canopy that reduces direct sun exposure and helps keep temperatures down. Solar panels will power the venue’s lighting and sound equipment, and a rain‑water collection system will irrigate the surrounding green spaces. “We’re proud to present a venue that not only meets the high standards of live performance but also aligns with our environmental commitments,” said a spokesperson for OEM in a statement referenced in the article.

OEM’s Vision and Community Partnerships

OEM’s CEO, whose name was mentioned in the article, highlighted the company’s intent to honor the legacy of the Opry while also pushing the brand into the 21st‑century live‑event arena. “The Ascend Amphitheater will serve as a cultural bridge—connecting our deep roots in country and bluegrass with the new sounds that are shaping Nashville today,” the CEO said.

The project is the result of a partnership between OEM, the City of Nashville, and a private‑sector developer that has already invested in other entertainment venues in the area. The city’s mayor, quoted in the piece, expressed enthusiasm for the new venue’s economic potential: “This is a win for Nashville’s creative economy. The amphitheater will bring jobs, increase tourism, and give our residents a new space to celebrate music together.”

OEM will operate the venue under a long‑term management agreement that includes responsibilities for programming, marketing, and maintenance. The company’s existing portfolio of venues—such as the Ryman Auditorium, Bridgestone Arena, and Opryland’s own “The Opry” theatre—provides a proven track record that the article points to as evidence of OEM’s capability to manage a diverse set of performance spaces.

A Hub for Emerging and Established Artists

A key element of the Ascend Amphitheater’s programming strategy is to balance marquee names with up‑and‑coming talent. The Tennessean article notes that the venue will host a seasonal “Rising Stars” series in partnership with local schools and universities, offering a platform for emerging musicians to share stages with established acts. The venue will also accommodate touring festivals that currently use other larger stadiums, such as the Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival, allowing those events to tap into a dedicated Nashville audience.

In addition to its concert schedule, the amphitheater will host corporate events, private parties, and community gatherings. The facility’s flexible layout—including a mezzanine bar area and an outdoor patio—will allow for intimate receptions or larger celebratory functions, making it a versatile addition to Nashville’s event landscape.

Looking Ahead

The article concludes with a look at what the Ascend Amphitheater could mean for the future of Nashville’s music scene. By expanding the Opry’s footprint into a modern, environmentally conscious venue, OEM is positioning the brand to remain at the center of the city’s cultural life. The Tennessean’s coverage also points readers toward a linked story on the “Nashville Music Corridor,” which outlines how new infrastructure projects—such as the upcoming Music City Trail—will further connect venues like Ascend with residential and commercial districts.

With construction slated to begin in the fall of 2025, the city’s planners anticipate the Ascend Amphitheater will be ready for its first season by spring 2026. The venue’s opening is expected to mark a new chapter in Nashville’s evolution as the world’s living music capital, reinforcing its reputation as a place where the past and future of music coexist in harmony.