Venu Holding has secured a $20 million bridge loan financing facility from Ryan to support construction of the Sunset Amphitheater in McKinney, Texas. The premium live entertainment venue is expected to accommodate approximately 20,000 people and is targeted to open during the first quarter of 2027.
The facility will fund ongoing construction costs while VENU works to complete a permanent financing arrangement. The company expects to close that longer-term financing during the third quarter of fiscal 2026 and use it to fund the remaining construction balance.
A bridge loan provides temporary capital until a borrower completes a more permanent financing transaction. In VENU’s case, the arrangement is intended to keep construction progressing without requiring the company to issue additional equity.
Avoiding an equity offering allows VENU to obtain development capital without creating new shares that would dilute the ownership percentages of existing shareholders. The company also plans to retain the McKinney venue on its balance sheet rather than transfer ownership to another financing partner.
The loan expands VENU’s existing relationship with Ryan, whose Credits and Incentives practice has supported the entertainment company’s national growth since 2023. Ryan has helped VENU identify potential development sites and structure public-private partnerships in markets targeted for expansion.
Ryan also serves as VENU’s official tax partner and provides tax advisory services. The relationship combines financing, development incentives and tax expertise as VENU builds additional entertainment destinations across the country.
VENU is developing Sunset Amphitheater as part of a broader portfolio of premium, experience-focused entertainment properties. Its brands include Ford Amphitheater, Sunset Amphitheaters, Phil Long Music Hall, The Hall at Bourbon Brothers, Bourbon Brothers Smokehouse and Tavern, Aikman Owners Clubs and Roth’s Sea & Steak.
The company has operating venues and projects under development across Colorado, Georgia, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Texas. VENU is pursuing a national expansion strategy that combines company-owned assets with partnerships involving municipalities, developers and other private-sector organizations.
The McKinney financing reflects VENU’s current capital strategy of using debt, public-private partnerships and fractional ownership structures rather than relying primarily on equity offerings. The company believes this approach can support expansion while preserving shareholder value.
Public-private partnerships can involve local governments contributing incentives, infrastructure support or other economic development benefits to projects expected to create jobs, tourism and tax revenue. Fractional ownership structures allow multiple investors to hold interests in a venue or related assets while providing capital for development.
The successful completion of the McKinney project remains dependent on construction progress and VENU’s ability to close the anticipated permanent financing. The facility’s targeted opening date and other development plans are based on the company’s current expectations.
KEY QUOTES:
“This financing lets us keep construction moving on one of our most anticipated venues without diluting shareholders and keeps the asset on our balance sheet.”
“Brint and the Ryan team have been building alongside us for years now, and this facility is another example of what that partnership delivers. We couldn’t be prouder to keep growing with a team that shows up for us the way Ryan does.”
J.W. Roth, Founder, Chairman and CEO of VENU
“Ryan has worked alongside VENU as it has expanded into new markets, helping identify opportunities and structure economic development incentives that support long-term growth.”
“We’re pleased to extend that relationship through this financing and support the continued development of the McKinney project.”
G. Brint Ryan, Chairman and CEO of Ryan
