ATLANTIC CITY — Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall says its concerts, sporting events and other shows will generate $75 million in economic activity for the city this year.
Led by big-name shows including The Who’s (latest) farewell tour; “The Queens” concert featuring Gladys Knight, Patti LaBelle, Chaka Khan and Stephanie Mills; and an upcoming concert by Stevie Nicks, the historic oceanfront facility has welcomed nearly 235,500 people through its doors since Jan. 1, and expects an additional 60,000 by the end of the year.
According to Visit Atlantic City, the city stands to gain more than $75 million from these visitors, based on an economic impact factor of $3.2 million for every 10,000 attendees.
The agency, which promotes Atlantic City, said comparable figures for last year were not available because it had just started tracking Boardwalk Hall events this year.
“Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall is an historic venue with a rich legacy, and we have had an incredible 2025, with a lineup featuring a wide range of musical genres,” said Jim McDonald, the facility’s general manager.
“We have many more great artists and sporting attractions the remainder of the year and into 2026,” he said. “We are grateful to the promoters, agents, managers and tours who have routed through Atlantic City this year, and we look forward to bringing more great shows to Atlantic City and continuing to revitalize the live entertainment scene here at Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall.”
The 2026 MAAC women’s and men’s tournaments will return to Atlantic City for the seventh straight season March 5-10 at Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall.
“Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall stands as one of Atlantic City’s most iconic and cherished landmarks, and we’re thrilled to see it welcome an incredible lineup of legendary performers to its stage this year,” said Gary Musich, president and CEO of Visit Atlantic City.
Upcoming events include Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Nicks on Oct. 18; Disney on Ice’s “Jump In,” which will present five performances from Nov. 7-9; and The Boy Is Mine Tour featuring Brandy and Monica with special guests Kelly Rowland, Muni Long and Jamal Roberts on Nov. 22.
Shows that have already taken place this year included Kane Brown’s High Roads Tour (May 17); Vybz Kartel (June 14); Los Tigres Del Norte (Sept. 19); Lil Wayne (Aug. 2); The Who (Sept. 12); “The Queens! 4 Legends, 1 Stage” (Oct. 4); and the two-day 2025 Atlantic City Comedy Festival featuring Sommore, Lavell Crawford, Arenz J., Don DC Curry, Talent, Earthquake, Gary Owen, Sheryl Underwood, Tommy Davidson, Junior and Skeet Carter (Oct. 12-13).
Boxing returned to Boardwalk Hall on April 12 when Jaron “Boots” Ennis defeated Eimantas Stanionis in a sixth-round TKO for the blockbuster unification battle for the IBF, WBA and Ring Magazine World Welterweight titles.
Upcoming shows for 2026 include All Stars of Hip Hop featuring Public Enemy, KRS One, Montell Jordan, Furious 5 and Sugarhill Gang and Schoolly D on Jan. 18; the R&B Lovers Tour featuring Keith Sweat, Joe, Dru Hill and Ginuwine on Feb. 14; The Harlem Globetrotters 100th Anniversary Tour on Feb. 16; and Fantasia and Anthony Hamilton on March 28.
Boardwalk Hall will once again host the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Basketball Championships from March 5-10, 2026, featuring the league’s top 10 teams and broadcast on ESPN channels, followed by the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association state wrestling championships, which draw 35,000 annually.
Contact Wayne Parry :
609-272-7000
wparry@pressofac.com
X @WayneParryAC
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