After years of planning and input from local stakeholders, the City of Mobile has torn down the outdated Mobile Civic Center and begun construction on Regions Arena, a new entertainment venue designed to host concerts, family shows and sporting events of all kinds.
The project marks one of the largest public investments in the city’s entertainment infrastructure in decades, and city leaders say it is intended to keep major touring acts and events in Mobile rather than losing them to other cities along the route between larger Southeastern markets.
A Venue Built for Mardi Gras and Beyond
Regions Arena has been designed to support Mobile’s Mardi Gras traditions while also functioning as a state-of-the-art event venue capable of drawing major acts that previously bypassed the Port City. Structurally, functionally and aesthetically, the arena is being built to meet the standards required to host modern concerts, performances and a variety of sports, including ice hockey — a capability the former Civic Center did not have.
The new facility includes retail spaces, luxury suites, VIP clubs, premium seating, improved sightlines and dynamic acoustics. Flexible seating and layout options are intended to let Regions Arena accommodate everything from dance recitals and pageants to major events with up to 10,000 spectators. The design also includes multiple ballrooms capable of hosting events of varying sizes, adding flexibility for Mardi Gras balls, local gatherings and conventions.
A Partnership With a Global Venue Operator
To help ensure a high level of programming and customer experience, the City of Mobile has partnered with Oak View Group, known as OVG, to operate and manage Regions Arena. OVG, which describes itself as the global leader in live experience venue development, management and premium hospitality, was engaged with the city’s project team throughout the planning and design process.
OVG owns and operates venues worldwide, including stadiums, arenas, theaters, convention centers and cultural attractions. Under a multi-year operational agreement with the City of Mobile, OVG is managing the Mobile Convention Center, the Saenger Theatre and Regions Arena. The company is also working alongside Live Nation, the world’s largest event promoter, with the goal of making Mobile a destination for live entertainment in the Southeast.
Financing a $300 Million Project
The overall budget for the project is approximately $300 million, a figure that covers demolition of the former Civic Center arena, theater and expo hall, as well as construction of Regions Arena and the road and utility work needed to support future development on the property.
In February 2025, the city awarded a $237 million contract to B.L. Harbert International to construct Regions Arena. B.L. Harbert is an Alabama-based construction firm with deep ties to Mobile — the company built the Arthur Outlaw Convention Center and is currently working on the new medical school at the University of South Alabama.
The project is being financed through cash contributions from the City of Mobile and its project partners, proceeds from municipal bonds, and other funding sources, along with sponsorship opportunities that will be made available to local and national companies. In March 2025, the city went to market with a $250 million bond issue to finance construction, the first new debt the city has taken on since 2013.
City officials say that in the 12 years since, Mobile has aggressively paid down legacy debt, removing more than $201 million from the city’s books while building a two-month operating reserve and investing in city programs and infrastructure. The city is on track to have all of its legacy debt paid off by 2030. Because of that financial position, Moody’s and Standard & Poor’s issued high-grade ratings for the city with a stable outlook, which officials say puts the Regions Arena bond issue well within the city’s ability to repay. City leaders, working with the Mobile City Council, say they have built a debt service plan that will not affect public services or prevent future capital investments elsewhere in the city.
Timeline for Completion
Regions Arena broke ground in spring 2025 and, with a two-year construction timeline, is expected to open in early 2027. The contractor and project management team say they are aiming to have the arena ready for events during the 2027 Mardi Gras season.
Preserving a Piece of Mobile History
Among the elements carried over from the old Civic Center are two mosaic murals by artist Conrad Albrizio, titled “Mardi Gras” and “Circus,” which have been preserved and will be prominently featured in the new arena. The mosaics, completed in 1965, were the last murals Albrizio created before his death in the early 1970s.
What About a New Theater?
The master plan for the full Civic Center property includes provisions for a future theater, and construction of Regions Arena will introduce some of the initial infrastructure, roads and utility access needed to eventually accommodate one. However, city officials say Mobile cannot take on a theater project at the same time as the arena. A proper Broadway-style theater could cost well over $100 million, and pursuing both projects simultaneously could strain city finances and divert resources from other priorities.
City leaders acknowledge that the gap creates challenges for organizations that historically used the Civic Center theater for recitals and performances. Officials say the city will continue looking for ways to accommodate those groups while Regions Arena is under construction, and that patience and flexibility will be needed in the meantime. As part of the broader project, the city is also committed to investing in improvements to the Saenger Theatre to accommodate a wider range of events and performances during the transition.
City officials, alongside the Mobile City Council and project partners, formally introduced Regions Arena to the public in April 2026, offering residents their first detailed look at the venue’s design, financing and timeline as construction continues.