AEG Presents to Open New 4,000-Capacity Venue in Austin
Written by djfrosty on March 17, 2025
AEG Presents is finally planting its flag in Austin.
While the city has long been the home of Messina Touring Group — AEG Presents’ highly successful global touring outfit — the live music giant hasn’t held any real estate in the fast-growing metroplex.
That changes now that AEG has announced plans to open a 4,000-capacity indoor venue in the so-called “live music capital of the world.” The 65,000-square-foot, yet-to-be-named venue will anchor River Park, a 109-acre mixed-use development in East Austin that will combine residential housing with office space, retail and restaurants.
“Designed for both world-class performances and unforgettable events, the venue will feature state-of-the-art sound and lighting, luxury suites, VIP seating, and best-in-class hospitality — all with a front-row feel no matter where you’re standing,” a press release announcing the project reads. “The artist experience is just as carefully considered with spacious, artist-friendly dressing rooms, green rooms, and top-tier production capabilities.”
AEG Presents attorney Shawn Trell explained that the company has “always wanted to build a venue from the ground up in Austin, but we wanted to make sure the timing and location were right, and we had partners aligned with our vision.” Those partners include Texas developers Presidium and Partners Group.
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Austin has seen a number of new venues open in recent years, dating back to the opening of ACL Live at The Moody Theater in 2011. A year later, Live Nation and the Formula 1 racing association opened the Circuit of the Americas, which features auto racing and large-scale concerts. And in April 2022, Oak View Group opened the Moody Center, an 18,000-capacity arena that is regularly listed on Billboard Boxscore’s chart of top venues with a capacity of over 15,000.
“We’re thrilled to bring a new venue to Austin, a city that lives and breathes live music,” said Robin Phillips, vp of AEG Presents Southwest, in a statement. “Our mission is to bring something new to the city that both honors the legacy of Austin and feels completely unique. Whether it’s a headlining show from a national touring act, or a local artist’s breakthrough moment, we want this space to feel like home for musicians and fans alike.”