The Sunset Amphitheater at McKinney, TX
A World-Class Live Entertainment Venue
About The Project
Sunset Amphitheater at McKinney is a next-generation outdoor music venue set to bring premier live entertainment to McKinney, Texas, and the greater Dallas-Fort Worth metro area. Designed by industry-leading architects, the venue blends cutting-edge design with the natural character of the region—marking a bold investment in McKinney’s cultural, economic, and community future.
The project is being developed through a public-private partnership with the City of McKinney and the McKinney Economic Development Corporation, reflecting a shared commitment to innovation, growth, and quality of life.
Over the next 20 years, the Sunset Amphitheater at McKinney is projected to generate approximately $6 billion in total economic impact—including substantial annual contributions through job creation, increased tourism, enhanced tax revenues, and support for schools, public safety, infrastructure, and small business development throughout the region.
$6 Billion
in total local impact
$932 Million
in wages created
$61 Million
in local sales tax
Features Will Include
Innovative multi-seasonal configuration seating 20,000 at full capacity, and near 5,000 in multi-seasonal capacity.
Multiple seating experiences including traditional stadium-style sections, and an up-close “pit” area for high-energy fan engagement.
Year-round activation with flexible, multi-configuration staging
ADA-accessible seating is available across all sections, including premium offerings such as the Luxe FireSuites and the Aikman Club.
On-site dining, bars, quick serve kiosks and local food vendor partnerships
A canopied roof structure featuring innovative heating technology ensures year-round comfort, weather protection, and an optimal viewing experience
Community Commitment
At VENU, we’re dedicated to being great neighbors. We’re working closely with city leaders and the community to ensure Sunset Amphitheater reflects the heart and character of McKinney. We are committed to transparency, responsible development, and providing a safe, welcoming space for all. We welcome your questions and feedback.
Connect with Us!
Thank you for joining us at our public meeting at the Sheraton McKinney on April 22nd, 2025. We will be announcing another public meeting in the coming months. Be the first to know and sign up for updates below!
Location
Sunset Amphitheater at McKinney is located northeast of US 75 and State Highway 121.
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Milestones · Show announcements
Job opportunities · Community meetings
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the project at right now?
We have broken ground! Construction began in April 2025.
What is the projected timeline of the project? *Subject to change
- Official Groundbreaking Celebration: Coming Soon
- Construction Phase: 2025
- Grand Opening: est. 2026
Where is the site located?
Located northeast of US 75 and State Highway 121.
How often will the amphitheater be in use, and what can the community expect in terms of frequency?
Sunset Amphitheater in McKinney is a multi-season venue designed for year-round entertainment. With approximately 70 shows annually, it brings A-list national touring artists straight to McKinney. The majority of events will take place Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings.
What are your sound mitigation strategies?
We’ve implemented a comprehensive, three-tiered mitigation strategy—developed by leading national experts and informed by extensive data modeling. This comprehensive approach ensures that sound levels are meticulously controlled to minimize any impact on our surrounding community. Our strategy includes the following components:
- Physical Mitigation:
- Sound Direction: the venue is strategically placed to project sound away from residential neighborhoods.
- Sound Containment: The stage is enclosed by a roof, and two-story, solid surface buildings, creating an effective sound barrier.
- Strategic Design: The stage is set within a raised seating bowl with a 80-foot grade, further reducing sound dispersion. Significant addition of wind/sound walls on each side of the bowl will materially decrease sound outside of amphitheater from current projections.
- Decibel Control: We mandate pre-set decibel levels within our production standards to maintain consistent sound management.
- Strategic Location: Positioning of the venue up US Highway 75 reduces the impact of high frequencies which travel directionally.
- Electroacoustic Mitigation:
- Focused Sound Distribution: Vertical array speakers are used to direct sound exclusively toward concert attendees, limiting external noise.
- Optimized Speaker Placement: Delay cluster speakers are strategically placed to distribute sound evenly within the venue, reducing excess noise.
- Height Limitation: The height of sound production is capped at 40 feet, ensuring sound remains within the intended area.
- Operational Mitigation:
- Real-Time Monitoring: Noise monitoring stations at front of house and property boundary provide live feedback, allowing front-of-house engineers to adjust sound levels during events as necessary.
- Curfew Enforcement: All shows adhere to the PUD agreement’s curfew, with events concluding by 10:30 PM Sunday through Thursday, and by 11:30 PM on Fridays and Saturdays.
- Sound Check Restrictions: To minimize community disruption, sound checks are not permitted before 3:00 PM on weekdays.
What are your plans for traffic management and parking?
For sold-out events, we have developed a comprehensive parking and traffic management plan to ensure smooth entry and exit for all guests. Our approach includes:
- Parking Capacity: All required parking is available onsite, with 5,100 spaces spread across surface and pedestal facilities.
- Traffic Flow: Key intersections will be manned to maintain safe and efficient vehicle flow during peak arrival and departure times.
- Rideshare & Carpooling: Our model assumes 22% of attendees arrive via rideshare, and 3 people per vehicle for those using parking.
- Security Measures: We will have security presence with a ratio of 1 officer per 250 parked cars to maintain order and safety.
- Post-Event Traffic: With managed intersections and traffic flow strategies in place after 9:30 PM, we anticipate maintaining an acceptable impact level on all surrounding intersections.
This plan is designed to ensure a seamless and safe experience for all guests attending our events.
What is your strategy to keep our community safe?
Ensuring the safety of our guests and the surrounding community is a top priority at VENU. We implement a multi-layered safety approach for all events:
- Onsite Medical Support: An Advanced Life Support (ALS) Unit is present at every event to provide immediate medical care if needed.
- No Tailgating Policy: To prevent disruption and ensure order, tailgating is strictly prohibited in all parking areas.
- Professional Security Staff: A full interior security detail is deployed within the venue to maintain a secure environment throughout the event.
- Expert Event Management: Our management team is trained to make informed, timely decisions during adverse weather conditions to keep everyone safe.
- Traffic Safety Measures: All key intersections around the venue are manned to promote safe and efficient vehicle movement.
- Parking Lot Monitoring: We maintain a ratio of one security officer per 250 cars in our parking facilities to ensure order and rapid response capabilities.
This comprehensive strategy is designed to provide peace of mind for guests, staff, and the wider community.
Investment And Membership Opportunities
Luxe Firesuite Ownership
Luxe FireSuites deliver a one-of-a-kind way to experience live music, combining privacy, comfort, and sophistication. Featuring a built-in natural fire element, ample space, seamless food and beverage service, and exceptional sightlines to the stage, each suite elevates the standard of what it means to experience live music.
Aikman Club Membership
The Aikman Club offers an exclusive way to enjoy live music, combining luxury, exclusivity, and prestige. With premium front-and-center seating, VIP parking, access to a 5-star buffet and bar, and guaranteed tickets to every event, this membership elevates the concert experience to an entirely new level.
