ST. GEORGE, Utah — Construction on the new Dixie Sunbowl in downtown St. George is moving into a visible new phase as crews begin installing bleachers and vertical structures at the longtime community venue.
City officials said the project remains on schedule and is expected to be substantially completed between Aug. 1 and Aug. 15, allowing enough time to prepare for the 2026 Round-Up Rodeo, one of the region’s signature annual events.
The redevelopment project follows the demolition of the previous Sunbowl stadium after the conclusion of the 2025 Round-Up Rodeo. The aging structure, which had served the community for decades, was removed to make way for a larger and more modern event facility.
“Right now, we’re in the funnest phase as we’re putting the bleachers up, so we’re going vertical,” said Shane Moore with St. George City. “It’s really exciting. We are on schedule. The actual construction should be done around the first to the 15th of August, so it’ll give us plenty of time to prepare for our rodeo.”
The updated venue is expected to continue hosting rodeos, sporting events and community gatherings while also expanding opportunities for concerts and other entertainment programming.
The Dixie Sunbowl has long been a landmark in St. George, serving as a gathering place for local events and regional entertainment. City officials said preserving a large-capacity venue near the downtown core was a major priority during planning.
The new facility will seat approximately 7,500 people and remain located just blocks from Main Street, maintaining its close connection to downtown businesses and community activities.
“How unique is it to have an arena of this size, almost 7500 people downtown and, you know, just blocks away from Main Street,” Moore said.
Officials acknowledged that some community members initially questioned whether the aggressive construction timeline would allow the city to complete the project before the next rodeo season. However, city representatives said the pace of construction has exceeded expectations.
“It was a really compressed timeline, and so this is really great to be down here today and to see the progress that we’ve already made,” Moore said.
Newly released 3D renderings provide residents with an early look at the updated stadium design, which aims to create a more comfortable and modern experience for visitors attending events.
Beyond rodeos, city leaders hope the redeveloped Sunbowl will become a flexible entertainment venue capable of hosting a broader range of events.
Officials said the upgraded infrastructure could support attractions such as monster truck shows, concerts and additional community programming throughout the year.
“This is the community’s space, so we want to make sure that we program it with quality events. And so that’s our goal and that’s what we’re going to work towards,” Moore said.
Residents have also expressed enthusiasm about the improvements and the potential for the facility to strengthen community engagement in downtown St. George.
“It’s really nice to see the city making these renovations and creating a space, a more inviting and comfortable space where people can come in and be together and experience these events together,” one community member said.
As construction continues and the structure rises above downtown, the project is becoming a visible symbol of the city’s investment in public gathering spaces and event infrastructure.
Originally reported by Cannon Secrist, Jordan Thornblad in ABC 4.
