Live Nation announces name for Riverside’s new amphitheater

Morton Amphitheater rendering. // image courtesy Live Nation

The new Live Nation amphitheater in Riverside was announced in October of 2024, with the Riverside Board of Aldermen approving $120 million in bond money to support its construction.

Today, Live Nation announced the name of the new amphitheater, scheduled to open in early 2026. Morton Amphitheater is named in honor of Morton Salt, which relocated its headquarters from Chicago to Overland Park in 2024.

The full capacity of the venue, including the lawn, is 16,000 attendees, and the venue was designed to suit a wide range of artists, tours, and genres – so every fan can find a show they want to see.

According to a Morton Amphitheater spokesperson, “Kansas City has long been a powerhouse music market. We’re adding to the incredible scene with a best-in-class outdoor venue, built exclusively for live music. Some artists exclusively play at outdoor amphitheaters – so this amphitheater will bring even more world-class performances to the region. For the artists themselves, Morton Amphitheater features excellent artist facilities and hospitality, with special touches that give performers a true sense of place.”

Given that World Cup watch parties have been announced as likely events, we asked how that will help turn this into a viable venue for live acts, and the same spokesperson replied that, as Kansas City is stepping onto the world stage by hosting the World Cup, they’re happy to be part of that energy in the city.

With the proximity to Argosy Casino just a hop, skip, and jump from Morton Amphitheater’s 135-acre site northwest of Horizons Parkway and Interstate 635, we wondered whether there were any plans for a partnership with the hotel/casino to attract attendees in terms of room deals or shuttle service, and it looks promising.

“Morton Amphitheater is going to be a great experience and we’re working with neighbors and the city to ensure fans have the smoothest possible time getting to and from the venue,” concluded the Morton Amphitheater spokesperson.

The venue’s plans currently scale up to hosting over 30 concerts each season, welcoming over 500,000 fans a year, and their internal estimates place the annual economic impact at around $70 million, beginning with their 2026 season. More information can be found at the venue’s website.