Iroquois Amphitheater

What Iroquois Amphitheater does

Iroquois Amphitheater is an open-air live entertainment venue located at 1080 Amphitheater Road within the 725-acre Iroquois Park in Louisville, Kentucky. Originally built in 1938 as a Works Progress Administration project designed to harmonize with Frederick Law Olmsted's park system, the venue underwent a major renovation completed in 2003 that installed state-of-the-art sound and lighting systems, expanded seating, and added ADA-compliant amenities including wheelchair seating areas, assisted listening devices, and elevator access. It is designated the official amphitheater of Kentucky and is operated by Louisville Parks and Recreation, a department of Louisville Metro Government, making it a publicly-owned municipal facility rather than a private enterprise.

The venue's core offering is event hosting across a diverse programming slate that includes nationally touring rock, R&B, jazz, alternative, and nostalgia acts (e.g., Bush, David Lee Roth, KEM, Band of Horses, the Totally Tubular Festival, and the Louisville Jazz Festival), alongside free outdoor film screenings under the Hollywood Classics Under the Stars banner. Ticketing is operated through Ticketmaster with supplementary in-person box office sales, while food and beverage service is delivered by SoHo Concessions. Major touring acts are routed via a partnership with Live Nation, and events are co-promoted with local radio stations including 95.7 WQMF and 91.9 WFPK.

Revenue mechanics are event-driven and multi-stream: ticket sales (split with show promoters), concessions, premium parking add-ons, and corporate sponsorships from financial institutions, beverage brands, and hospitality partners. The go-to-market motion is event-driven demand generation through artist bookings, radio co-promotions, and Ticketmaster distribution rather than direct sales. The customer base is primarily regional concert and live-entertainment audiences, with secondary segments for film enthusiasts and corporate sponsors seeking captive-audience brand visibility.

Name

Iroquois Amphitheater

Legal name

Iroquois Amphitheater

Website

https://iroquoisamphitheater.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1938

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Iroquois Amphitheater is a municipally-owned open-air concert venue in Louisville's Iroquois Park, hosting touring acts, film screenings, and festivals for regional audiences since 1938.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Live Entertainment Venue

NAICS

Promoters of Performing Arts, Sports, and Similar Events with Facilities (71131)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Outdoor Amphitheater & Open-Air Venue Operations (MPAGALAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Concert Venue Operators (Arenas, Amphitheaters, Clubs) (MPAGAAAC), Event Operations & Venue Services (Box Office, FOH/BOH, Concessions) (MPAIAFAL)

Keywords

• Outdoor concert venue
• Live entertainment events
• Film screening series
• Music festival hosting
• Event venue rental

Headquarters

HQ city

Louisville

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Ticket Sales: Primary revenue stream from ticket sales for concerts, festivals, and special events. Tickets sold through Ticketmaster online platform and in-person at the box office. Revenue split between venue and show promoters.
2. Concessions: Food and beverage sales provided by SoHo Concessions, a full-service specialty provider curating elevated dining experiences for concert-goers and movie fans.
3. Parking: Premier parking add-ons available through Ticketmaster for premium parking closest to the venue, plus free parking options on surrounding streets and at DeSales High School.
4. Sponsorships and Partnerships: Corporate sponsorships from radio stations (95.7 WQMF, 91.9 WFPK), financial institutions (Monticello Bank), beverage brands (CAN), and hotel partners (Crowne Plaza).
5. Merchandise: Event merchandise sales provided by show promoters during events.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Iroquois Amphitheater is an open-air performing arts venue located in Louisville's Iroquois Park that hosts live concerts, film screenings, and festivals. Tickets are sold via Ticketmaster online and at the on-site box office, with food and beverage service provided by SoHo Concessions and event programming supplied by national promoters and radio station co-presenters.

Product overview

Iroquois Amphitheater is an open-air concert venue and event space located in Iroquois Park, Louisville, Kentucky. Originally built in 1938 as a WPA project and renovated in 2003, it serves as the official amphitheater of Kentucky. The venue offers a diverse lineup of live entertainment including nationally touring concert acts, film screenings (Hollywood Classics Under the Stars), and annual festivals such as the Louisville Jazz Festival and Totally Tubular Festival. The venue partners with SoHo Concessions for food and beverage services and Ticketmaster for ticketing. Accessibility accommodations include wheelchair seating, assisted listening devices, and elevator access.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Concert and Performance Venue Open-air amphitheater venue in Iroquois Park, Louisville, Kentucky hosting live concerts, performances, and events for individual ticket buyers.
• Hollywood Classics Under the Stars Free outdoor film screening series featuring cult classics and iconic movies shown under the night sky at the amphitheater for individual movie fans and families.
• Louisville Jazz Festival Annual multi-night jazz music festival showcasing nationally touring jazz artists such as Boney James and Brian Culbertson for individual ticket buyers and music enthusiasts.
• Totally Tubular Festival Annual music festival celebrating 1980s synthpop, new wave, and alternative music featuring bands from that era, held at the amphitheater for individual ticket buyers.
• SoHo Concessions Catering Full-service food and beverage concessions and catering available to concert attendees and event hosts at the amphitheater.

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• TicketmastercoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPrimary ticketing partner for all venue events. Provides online ticket sales platform with variable pricing, Premier Parking add-ons, and digital ticket management.
• SoHo ConcessionscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFull-service food and beverage specialty provider curating elevated dining experiences for concert-goers and movie fans. Also offers catering services for events.
• Live NationcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerNational concert promoter presenting major touring acts at the venue, including Bush and David Lee Roth events.
• 95.7 WQMFminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal radio station serving as presenting partner for rock concerts (e.g., Queensryche with Great White).
• 91.9 WFPKminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal public radio station presenting events including Band of Horses and Dinosaur Jr., and Pixies.
• Monticello BankminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPresenting sponsor for Hollywood Classics Under the Stars film screenings, specifically the Godzilla double feature.
• CANminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBeverage sponsor presenting Yacht Rock Revue Primetime tour stop at the venue.
• Crowne Plaza Louisville Airport Expo CenterminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPreferred hotel partner for the Iroquois concert series, offering accommodation options for out-of-town attendees.
• TARC (Transit Authority of River City)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerPublic transportation provider offering bus service directly to the venue parking lot.
• American Red CrossminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerFirst aid services available at all venue events.
• DRH Red Shirt SecurityminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerSecurity services provider for all Iroquois Amphitheater events.
• Louisville Parks and RecreationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment department operating the venue as part of Louisville's public parks system.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Red Rocks Amphitheatre: Iconic open-air amphitheater near Denver, Colorado, that hosts major touring concerts in a scenic natural setting. Directly comparable as an outdoor amphitheater venue operator with national touring acts, scenic differentiation, and tiered concession/amenity offerings.
• Ravinia Festival: Oldest outdoor music festival venue in the U.S., located in Highland Park, Illinois. Comparable as a historic outdoor amphitheater with diverse programming across genres and festivals, plus food/beverage amenities.
• Hollywood Bowl: Iconic outdoor amphitheater in Los Angeles hosting summer concerts, film screenings, and festivals. Comparable as a historic outdoor venue with state-of-the-art sound/lighting infrastructure and a mix of ticketed and free programming.
• Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts: Filene Center outdoor amphitheater in Vienna, Virginia, hosting national touring acts and festivals within a national park setting. Comparable as a public-sector outdoor venue with broad programming and federal/municipal ownership characteristics.
• Ascend Amphitheater: Outdoor amphitheater in Nashville, operated by Live Nation, hosting touring concerts. Directly comparable as a mid-sized outdoor amphitheater with Live Nation affiliation and downtown park-adjacent setting.
• The Gorge Amphitheatre: Outdoor amphitheater in George, Washington, operated by Live Nation, hosting major summer concert tours. Comparable as a large-capacity outdoor amphitheater with Live Nation promoter affiliation and seasonal touring economics.
• Merriweather Post Pavilion: Outdoor music pavilion in Columbia, Maryland, hosting national touring acts in a wooded park setting. Comparable as a regional outdoor amphitheater with diverse programming and a sponsor/partnership-driven model.
• Greek Theatre (Los Angeles): Open-air amphitheater in Griffith Park, Los Angeles, operated under a Live Nation contract. Directly comparable outdoor venue with scenic park setting, summer concert programming, and similar ADA accessibility profile.

Regional players

• KFC Yum! Center: Multi-purpose indoor arena in downtown Louisville hosting major concerts and events. Comparable as a Louisville-market venue operator competing for touring artist bookings, though a larger-capacity indoor arena.
• Louisville Palace: Historic indoor theater in downtown Louisville hosting concerts and performances. Comparable as a Louisville-market live entertainment venue competing for the same audiences, though operating indoors rather than outdoors.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/IroquoisAmp
• Facebookfacebook.com/IroquoisAmphitheater
• Instagraminstagram.com/iroquoisamp
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/iroquois-amphitheater

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Iroquois Amphitheater