Grand Opening of Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Bristol Delayed

BRISTOL, VA – June 10, 2024: The Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Bristol has announced that the grand opening of its permanent location will be postponed to later this year. Initially targeted for a July launch, the delay was revealed through a press release and subsequently reported by WJHL 11. Instead of a phased opening starting in July, the Hard Rock team opted for a comprehensive grand opening later in the year to provide a fully operational experience. This approach aims to enhance the overall guest experience, according to the release.

 

 

In the interim, Hard Rock continues to operate a temporary 30,000-square-foot facility, “Bristol Casino—Future Home of Hard Rock,” offering a range of gaming options. More than 600 construction workers are engaged daily at the site, pushing towards the completion of the $550 million project. The temporary facility remains operational, and Hard Rock is actively hiring for various roles in anticipation of the permanent site's opening.

The permanent casino will house 2,700 slot machines, 100 table games, a sportsbook, a 750-room hotel, a 3,200-seat concert theater, and a 20,000-seat outdoor entertainment venue. It will also include bars, restaurants, and shopping areas.

The decision to delay is facilitated by recent legislation granting Virginia casino operators an additional six months to finalize their projects, provided they maintain a temporary facility and meet financial commitments. Despite consistently posting the lowest gaming revenue among Virginia’s three casinos, Hard Rock Bristol is expected to see increased revenue once the full casino and hotel are operational. The Virginia Lottery Board approved the casino license in April 2022, and the temporary facility opened in July 2022.

 

“We prefer to have a grand opening with a fully operational casino and amenities for an overall better guest experience.”

 

Allie Evangelista, President of Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Bristol, emphasized the positive reception of the temporary facility and the team's eagerness to unveil the new resort. Jason Berry, Washington County Administrator, and Regional Improvement Commission Chairman, expressed optimism about the potential for increased traffic and revenue once the full complex opens. No specific date has been set for the grand opening.