UPDATE: The Hard Rock casino opening in Atlantic City is the savior our city has been waiting for

UPDATE: The Hard Rock casino opening in Atlantic City is the savior our city has been waiting for

By: Kimberly Shurig



Hard Rock Chairman Jim Allen said in a live broadcast from Times Square shown during an event at Hard Rock’s preview center at the Tanger Outlets in Atlantic City. “It’s not about gaming, it’s about entertainment.”



Jim Allen wasn’t exaggerating about it being about entertainment. Ticket sales for some of the 300 entertainment acts booked will start Friday. There will be musical acts throughout the week, not just the weekend in the hard rock Live at Etess arena which was renamed and expanded to hold 7,000 people.



Here’s the full lineup of acts and dates:

Steve Byrne – June 26, 27 and 28
Howie Mandel – July 3 and 4
Third Eye Blind – July 5
Jon Lovitz – July 5
Kellie Pickler – July 6
The Dan Band – July 7
Ted Nugent – July 12
Florida Georgia Line – July 13 and 14
Gin Blossoms – July 21
Chris Young – July 21
Pat Benatar, Neil Geraldo and Rick Springfield – July 26
Rascal Flatts – July 26
A Thousand Horses – July 27
Frankie Valli – July 27 and 28
Greg Hahn – July 31
Bush, Stone Temple Pilots, The Cult – Aug. 1
Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes – Aug. 4
George Thorogood – Aug. 9
The Million Dollar Quartet – Aug. 11
Blake Shelton – Aug. 18
Counting Crows and Live – Aug. 23
Toby Keith – Aug. 26
Amy Schumer – Sept. 1
The Fab Faux – Sept. 8
Cole Swindell – Sept. 22
Steely Dan – Oct. 13
Kid Rock – Oct. 19 and 20
Rock of Ages – Nov. 1 to Nov.


The Hard Rock Casino and Hotel will open on June 28th. The former Taj Mahal has been completely renovated and redone. We questioned if Atlantic City was the next step, and we 100 percent believe it’s the next step,” Allen said.



On behalf of Atlantic City thank you Mr. Allen for believing in us.



Update! Grand Opening weekend performances will include seven-time Grammy Award-winning country superstar Carrie Underwood and Grammy Award-winning global superstar and entrepreneur Pitbull who will set the tone for the new go-to destination for world-class entertainment.  

Carrie Underwood will be the first to perform in the Hard Rock Live at Estess Arena on June 29th and Pitbull will perform on June 29th!



The updated music lineup:



The 2018 Entertainment Lineup:



6/29 – Carrie Underwood

6/30 – Pitbull

7/1 – 9/16 – Motor City Live: A Motown Tribute

7/5 – Third Eye Blind

7/6 – Country Fridays featuring Kellie Pickler

7/12 – Ted Nugent

7/13 & 7/14 – Florida Georgia Line

7/15 – Maroon 5

7/21 – Gin Blossoms

7/21 – Chris Young

7/26 – Rascal Flatts

7/26 – Pat Benatar, Neil Giraldo and Rick Springfield

7/27 – Country Fridays featuring A Thousand Horses

7/27 & 7/28 – Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons

8/1 – Stone Temple Pilots, The Cult & Bush

8/4 – Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes

8/9 – George Thorogood and The Destroyers

8/11 – Million Dollar Quartet

8/18 – Blake Shelton

8/23 – Counting Crows with Special Guest LIVE

8/26 – Toby Keith and Trace Adkins

9/1 – Amy Schumer and Friends

9/8 – Fab Faux

9/22 – Cole Swindell

10/13 – Steely Dan

10/19 & 10/20 – Kid Rock

10/30 – 11/4 – Rock of Ages



Hard Rock International



With venues in 75 countries, including 182 cafes, 24 hotels and 11 casinos, Hard Rock International (HRI) is one of the most globally recognized companies. Beginning with an Eric Clapton guitar, Hard Rock owns the world’s greatest collection of music memorabilia, which is displayed at its locations around the globe. Hard Rock is also known for its collectible fashion and music-related merchandise, Hard Rock Live performance venues and an award-winning website. HRI owns the global trademark for all Hard Rock brands. The company owns, operates and franchises Cafes in iconic cities including London, New York, San Francisco, Sydney and Dubai. HRI also owns, licenses and/or manages hotel/casino properties worldwide. Destinations include the company’s two most successful Hotel and Casino properties in Tampa and Hollywood, FL., both owned and operated by HRI parent company The Seminole Tribe of Florida, as well as other exciting locations including Bali, Cancun, Ibiza, Las Vegas, and San Diego. Upcoming new Hard Rock Cafe locations include St. Petersburg, Fortaleza, Casablanca and Chengdu. New Hard Rock hotel, casino or hotel-casino projects include Atlanta, Atlantic City, Berlin, Budapest, London, Los Cabos, Maldives, New York City, Ottawa, Dalian and Haikou in China. For more information on Hard Rock International, visit www.hardrock.com.