Ramon Ayala, Journey, Sesame Street Live and Harlem Globetrotters to appear at Acrisure Arena

Brian Blueskye, Palm Springs Desert Sun
·3 min read

Anxiously waiting for more concerts and family events to be added to the Acrisure Arena lineup? You're in luck.

Representatives from the Oak View Group announced on Monday that a show featuring a cast of characters loved by children and adults, a second Mexican music concert, a rodeo, an iconic name in sports entertainment and a legendary rock band will be added to its roster of events in 2023.

Norteno legend Ramon Ayala will perform Feb. 16, and the classic rock band Journey is slated to perform on April 25.

Journey's last local appearance was in 2012 at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino, and Ayala performed in 2019 at the Riverside County Fair and National Date Festival.

Jason Gurzi, Integrated Marketing Manager for the Coachella Valley Firebirds rides a mechanical bull during an event held by Acrisure Arena at The Cantina in Indio, Calif., on Monday, September 26, 2022. Announcements were made for five more events including one for the Professional Bull Riders.
Jason Gurzi, Integrated Marketing Manager for the Coachella Valley Firebirds rides a mechanical bull during an event held by Acrisure Arena at The Cantina in Indio, Calif., on Monday, September 26, 2022. Announcements were made for five more events including one for the Professional Bull Riders.

The first family event, Sesame Street Live, is scheduled for Jan. 11. The Professional Bull Riders will bring some rodeo action to the arena later next year on Feb. 10 and 11, and the Harlem Globetrotters will showcase their basketball skills on Feb. 24.

Professional Bull Riders and Ayala tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. Friday. Tickets for Journey will go on sale at 10 a.m. on Oct. 21 and the Harlem Globetrotters at 10 a.m. on Oct. 31.

Details for other shows will be announced soon, arena officials said Monday during an announcement event in Indio.

"Our goal at Acrisure Arena is to present a diverse mix of events that appeal to everyone in the Coachella Valley and southern California as well," said John Bolton, senior vice president of Oak View Group.

Cindy Burreson, CEO at Children's Discovery Museum of the Desert, smiles while watching people ride a mechanical bull during an announcement event in Indio, Calif., on Monday, Sept. 26, 2022.
Cindy Burreson, CEO at Children's Discovery Museum of the Desert, smiles while watching people ride a mechanical bull during an announcement event in Indio, Calif., on Monday, Sept. 26, 2022.

Previously announced acts at the soon-to-be completed arena include The Doobie Brothers, Grupo Firme, Maroon 5, the Eagles and Jimmy Buffett and the Coral Reefers.

More: Acrisure Arena: The Doobie Brothers to play first concert; Eagles, Grupo Firme also slated

Bolton said Mexican band Grupo Firme became the first act to sell out the arena after tickets went on sale Sept. 16.

Acrisure Arena will be the home of American Hockey League team the Coachella Valley Firebirds. Ground broke on the Thousand Palms facility in June 2021 with a price tag of $250 to $300 million. In August, the concrete was poured to form the main ice rink, and a ceremonial first seat was installed. The 10,000-seat arena can be opened to 11,000 seats for concerts.

According to a video played at the event on Monday, Acrisure Arena plans to host more than 100 "incredible events" annually.

John Bolton, Senior VP of Entertainment for Oak View Group, helps announce upcoming events to include Sesame Street Live, Professional Bull Riders, and Harlem Globetrotters during an event in Indio, Calif., on Monday, Sept. 26, 2022.
John Bolton, Senior VP of Entertainment for Oak View Group, helps announce upcoming events to include Sesame Street Live, Professional Bull Riders, and Harlem Globetrotters during an event in Indio, Calif., on Monday, Sept. 26, 2022.

Scott Feldman, vice president of event services, announced the arena will need to hire 1,000 employees over the next two months through several job fairs from Oct. 3-27. More information is available at acrisurearena.com/connect/careers.

Leiweke's business partner, Irving Azoff, is the former chairman and CEO of Ticketmaster and Live Nation Entertainment, a competitor of AEG. Azoff has been listed as the manager for artists such as Journey, the Eagles, Maroon 5 and more.

The Doobie Brothers — celebrating its 50th anniversary this year — will kick things off for the soft launch of the arena, which will also serve as a "construction worker appreciation concert," on Dec. 15.

Grupo Firme will follow with a performance on Dec. 16, pop rock group Maroon 5 will headline the arena's New Year's Eve event on Dec. 31, and the Eagles will rock out on Jan. 18 for the "official opening night concert."

Jimmy Buffett and the Coral Reefers' show date "will be announced soon."

Paula Simonds, CEO of Family YMCA of the Desert, helps announce a Professional Bull Rider event coming to Acrisure Arena in February during an announcement event in Indio, Calif., on Monday, Sept. 26, 2022.
Paula Simonds, CEO of Family YMCA of the Desert, helps announce a Professional Bull Rider event coming to Acrisure Arena in February during an announcement event in Indio, Calif., on Monday, Sept. 26, 2022.

Maroon 5 and Jimmy Buffet ticket sale dates have yet to be announced.

This is a developing story and will be updated. 

Brian Blueskye covers arts and entertainment for the Desert Sun. He can be reached at brian.blueskye@desertsun.com or on Twitter at @bblueskye.

This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Acrisure Arena in 2023: Ramon Ayala, Journey, Harlem Globetrotters