Fresno Council Approves New Management for City Entertainment Complex

The Fresno City Council approved a three year contract on December 23, 2025 to delegate daily management of the Fresno Convention and Entertainment Center complex to a partnership between VenuWorks and ATG Entertainment. Under the agreement, which takes effect January 11, 2026, the new operators will handle sales, finance, marketing, event booking, security and staffing across the convention center, Valdez Hall, Selland Arena and the historic Saroyan Theatre. The vote was unanimous.

City officials framed the decision as a strategy to increase downtown activity and ease the financial burden of operating the convention center. Council members raised concerns about deferred maintenance at the facilities, including aging audio systems, and pressed for the new managers to coordinate with Visit Fresno County to drive more bookings and tourism revenue. The council sought commitments that the operator team would address backlog issues while delivering a stronger slate of events for residents and visitors.

For local taxpayers the shift has clear fiscal and civic implications. City leaders said they expect the arrangement to reduce the convention center subsidy the city currently pays, though the exact savings will depend on event revenue, booking patterns and the new operators ability to control costs. For downtown businesses and cultural organizations the change could mean more frequent programming, larger ticketed events and increased foot traffic, but it could also bring changes in venue availability and rental rates as the private team optimizes schedules.

Institutionally the council move transfers operational responsibility without dissolving municipal ownership of the venues. That separation places a premium on municipal oversight and performance metrics. The council discussion emphasized the need for coordination with Visit Fresno County and accountability measures that track bookings, financial performance and maintenance progress.

Residents and stakeholders will be watching implementation early next year, when the new team assumes management. The success of the contract will hinge on demonstrated improvements in programming, transparent reporting of financial results, and timely remediation of deferred maintenance to preserve these venues as anchors for downtown Fresno.