Iconic New Casino Sets Opening Date For Rockford this Summer

The date so many people in Illinois have been impatiently waiting for is almost here...the grand opening of Hard Rock Casino Rockford!

 Rockford's Journey to a Hard Rock Casino

Do you remember when Rockford's dream to open a casino took a huge leap forward back in 2019 when the Rockford City Council approved the proposal for a Hard Rock Casino to go in front of the Illinois Gaming Council?

It seems like forever ago to me, but waiting for Hard Rock's grand opening in Rockford has been a little more tolerable thanks to the opening of Rockford Casino, a Hard Rock Opening Act.

Every time a drive by the construction site of Hard Rock Casino Rockford I am amazed by how fast it is now coming along and soon, we'll all be able to walk through its amazing doors for the very first time!

Hard Rock Casino Rockford will feature a 189,000-square-foot casino with 1,300 slot machines, and 44 table games. It will also have a Hard Rock Cafe, a Hard Rock Live concert venue, restaurants, retail stores and a 250-room hotel which will open at a later date.

What Will the First Concert at Rockford's Hard Rock Live Be?

For those that don't know, Rick Nielsen of Cheap Trick fame has played a huge part in making the Hard Rock Casino Rockford dream come true, so it only makes sense that he, and/or Cheap Trick should be the inaugural concert in the new venue right? Right!

Hard Rock Casino Rockford's President Geno Iafrate recently told the Rockford Register Star;

We're currently working with Cheap Trick and their booking agent to secure a date. It does feel like Rick Nielsen, at a minimum, has to be the first entertainer in that live venue. So we're working on that.

Hard Rock Casino Rockford Is Looking For Performers

I think it's safe to say that music is at the heart of everything Hard Rock does, and right now they are looking for the best bands in the Rockford area...

Can you feel the excitement?!? I can't wait until this Labor Day weekend!

More New Businesses Opening in Rockford in 2024

Lucky for Rockford area residents, an iconic new casino attraction isn't the only thing we have to look forward to in 2024.

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Here are some more cool businesses that have set opening dates in the Rockford area over the next few months;

• Boot Barn at 6280 E State St. (the former Joann Fabrics location) sometime in March 2024?
• Culture Crunch at 5846 E State St. on Sunday, March 31st (featuring exotic snacks and drinks from around the World)
• Kung Fu Tea at 6915 E State St. by the beginning of April 2024, (featuring teas, lemonades, coffees, slushes, yogurts, and tons of flavors to choose from).
• The Original Rainbow Cone Ice Cream Shop AND Buona Beef at E Riverside and Galleria Dr., Summer 2024