Council approves $1 facility-fee increase and 2026 operating budget for Capital Federal Amphitheater

The Andover City Council voted unanimously to approve a contract amendment with Legends Global that raises the facility fee at the Capital Federal Amphitheater by $1 and to adopt the venue's 2026 operating budget. The fee increase is projected to generate $12,236 for the coming year, the presenter said.

The change to the facility fee was introduced by city staff and explained by AJ Boleski, regional general manager for Legends Global. "That extra dollar," Boleski said, "we're forecasting it to generate $12,236." The council approved the amendment by voice vote.

Why it matters: staff said the incremental fee would direct largely outside-origin revenue toward operating costs and contributions to the Andover Convention and Visitors Bureau rather than general city funds. Jolene, a city staff member who introduced the item, said most amphitheater attendees come from outside Andover and so the additional fee would be earned revenue for the venue.

Legends Global also presented its proposed 2026 operating budget. Boleski said the company used two years of operating data to refine assumptions and presented a budget that still shows an operating deficit but aims to avoid additional city funding next year. He described the most recent full year as a larger loss and said the current-year forecast had been reduced after Legends Global agreed to cut its incentive by 50 percent. "We are presenting a budget for next year with a loss of minus 220,000," Boleski said. The plan assumes six touring concerts, the free Odyssey summer series, several other larger events and 30 lodge rentals as part of the revenue mix.

Council members asked about staffing and insurance costs. Boleski said the operator plans to hire a year-round marketing/box-office manager and explained that insurance is negotiated at the vendor's corporate level and allocated by attendance and food-and-beverage sales. "It's about 90 cents a person," he said when describing the insurance allocation methodology.

The council voted to approve the 2026 operating budget for Capital Federal Amphitheater on a unanimous voice vote.

What's next: City staff will incorporate the fee change and the approved vendor budget into the city's 2026 appropriations and operating plans; Legends Global will continue booking acts and executing the lodge rental program as budgeted.