When Will The New James Brown Arena Open-This Is The Current Timeline

By now you know we will have a new James Brown Arena. However, I'm sure if you're like me, you're wondering when will it open? How long will we have to wait? These are all questions that lots of people around the CSRA are asking. Let's take a look at the current timeline and see when we will start seeing shows in our brand new, state of the art, arena.

According to an article from The Augusta Chronicle, the new arena is set to open at the end of 2026. HH Brantley, the project manager said that right now the plan is to close the current JBA in June. Then demolition on the current arena would begin in July. They expect construction for the new arena will take 30 months.

Of course, they're saying that this is the current timeline. We know that timelines can change. Can they get the materials they need on time? Will there be weather setbacks? All of these things play into whether or not the new arena gets completed on time or not. I certainly hope all goes according to plan, and we can start enjoying shows in the new arena by the end of 2026.

The last we heard, everything is still on schedule for The Bell Auditorium to be back open in the Spring of this year. So we will still be able to enjoy shows while they build the new arena. Of course with all of that construction going on, I'm sure parking around the Bell is going to be fun for a while, did you catch the sarcasm there?

Another thing people have been asking a lot is "Where are y'all going to do Guitar Pull?" I don't know what the plan is at the moment, people who make more than me are planning that right now. But hopefully, if all goes according to plan, Guitar Pull 2026 will be happening in a new James Brown Arena!

If you want to check out the article from The Augusta Chronicle on the timeline for the new arena, just click here.

For more articles, lists, videos and photo galleries from The Kicks Wake Up Krew, click here.

With all of this talk about the new arena, it gets us all talking about who should be the first artist to play the new JBA.

The citizens of Augusta-Richmond County made history by voting for a new James Brown Arena.  The big question.  Who should be the first artist to play the New James Brown Arena?  So, we put it to you and we have the results.

With a new 10,000-seat arena, the list of who can play here is endless.  Could hockey make a return?  Maybe football will come back.  It really is endless as to what this new building could do for the entire CSRA

The new arena will also be connected to The Bell Auditorium, which is also getting a nice facelift as well.  The new arena will have a ballroom, rooftop terraces, and lots of meeting rooms for conventions.

So we put it out there and asked you who should be the first to play the New James Brown Arena.  Before we get to your list, here are some who received votes, but really could open the building also!

Coming in at #10, Chris Stapleton.  This guy puts on a great show.  He would be a great fit and has never played in Augusta.

In at number 9 by your votes, CoJo, Cody Johnson.  He played at The Country Club a few years back.  This would a heck of a show and one I would stay till the very end of.  Just like I did at the Country Club.

In at number 8 is Jason Aldean.  Jason has played the arena twice as a headline act.  He's also played the Kicks 99 Guitar Pull.  Lets not forget, he's a Georgia boy.

In at number 7, she's just need on name.  Reba.  She played back in the day when it was just The Civic Center.

Luke Combs comes in at number 6.  Luke has played at the Arena as part of Guitar Pull, but never as a solo act.  This would be a good one.

The King, George Strait is in at number 5.  From what we can find out, George has never played Augusta.  You know in the voting that this would be my pick to open the new arena.

Number 4 as voted by you, Carrie Underwood.  She played the arena once.  She was on the list of artist to come back but the building couldn't support her stage needs. One of the many reasons we need a new arena.

Your current CMA Entertainer Of The Year, Lainey Wilson is Number 3.  She's also never played Augusta and this would be super way to open it.

The votes between one and two was so close.  Jelly Roll comes in at number 2.  He would just crush it.  No doubt. I would like this to happen

And the one you wanted to see open the New James Brown Arena is Morgan Wallen.  Now there would be just no words on how big this would be. I bet he would have to do 2 or even 3 nights.