Allianz strikes sponsorship deal for Richmond's new riverfront amphitheater

The amphitheater being built in downtown Richmond will be called the Allianz Amphitheater at Riverfront after the insurance company struck a deal to sponsor the venue.

Allianz, which has an office in Henrico County, made the announcement Tuesday with the venue operators Live Nation and Red Light Ventures during a media tour of the construction site.

“We think this is going to be the preeminent music entertainment venue in Central Virginia,” said Daniel Durazo, Allianz’s director of external communications.

When it opens next year, the amphitheater will hold around 7,500 people and host a projected 40 shows during the summer music season.

“We can’t give out any details now but keep an eye out for shows that will be announced in the coming weeks,” said Live Nation’s Matt Rogers.

Allianz, an international company based in Germany known for sponsoring events and venues in Europe, employs about 1,000 people in the Richmond area, according to Durazo. Sponsoring the new music venue, he said, was a natural fit because the company already works with the entertainment industry offering insurance for concert tickets.

Company representatives would not disclose financial details on how much the sponsorship deal was worth, but said the agreement is for 10 years.

The new venue is being built behind Historic Tredegar on a 4-acre site with views of the downtown skyline and the James River.

Partners in the project say it will help Richmond attract “world-class artists”  and make the city “a top seasonal East Coast destination for major tours.”