Isleta Amphitheater is the name most Albuquerque concertgoers still use for the city’s largest outdoor concert venue, even though the sign out front now reads something else. Set in the Mesa del Sol development on the south side of town, it has hosted everyone from Metallica and Santana to Taylor Swift and Post Malone since opening in February 2000.
This guide covers what the venue is called today, exactly how many people it holds, the full run of names it has carried since it started life as the Mesa del Sol Amphitheater, and what to know before you go — including where to find photos and how tickets and parking work.
Quick Answer
Isleta Amphitheater is the longtime nickname for Albuquerque’s biggest outdoor concert venue at Mesa del Sol. As of the 2026 season it operates under a new sponsor name, First Financial Credit Union Amphitheater, but it’s the same physical venue at 5601 University Blvd SE. It holds about 15,000 people across a reserved-seating pavilion and an open lawn, and it opened in 2000 as the Mesa del Sol Amphitheater.
What Is Isleta Amphitheater Called Now?
Starting with the 2026 concert season, the venue is officially the First Financial Credit Union Amphitheater after First Financial Credit Union purchased the naming rights. It carried the Isleta Amphitheater name from 2013 through 2025 under sponsorship from the Pueblo of Isleta, and that’s still the name that shows up in most people’s memories, directions, and old ticket stubs.
Nothing about the venue itself changed with the rename — it’s still owned and run by Live Nation Entertainment at the same Mesa del Sol address, with the same layout and the same lineup of major touring acts. For the current event calendar, seating chart, and box office details, the official source is the First Financial Credit Union Amphitheater website.
How Many People Does Isleta Amphitheater Hold? (Capacity)
Capacity is about 15,000, up from an original 12,000 when the venue opened in 2000. The increase came from a lawn expansion completed in 2009, and 15,000 has been the figure ever since.
That total is split between a covered, reserved-seating section close to the stage and a much larger open lawn behind it, where most fans bring blankets or low chairs. For a specific show, how many people actually turn out depends on the artist and how the tour is selling — but 15,000 is the venue’s full capacity ceiling, and it’s routinely reached for the biggest headline tours.
A Venue With Several Names — From Mesa del Sol Amphitheater to Today
The amphitheater has changed names five times since it opened, which is why people search for it under several different titles. It started as the Mesa del Sol Amphitheater in 2000, named for the planned community it sits inside. It became the ABQ Journal Pavilion in 2001 under sponsorship from the Albuquerque Journal, then switched to The Pavilion in 2010 after Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Albuquerque bought the naming rights.
In 2013, the Pueblo of Isleta took over sponsorship and it became Isleta Amphitheater, the name that stuck through 2025 and the one most associated with the venue’s biggest run of shows. As of 2026, it’s First Financial Credit Union Amphitheater — a new sponsor, but the same stage, the same lawn, and the same Mesa del Sol address it’s had since 2000.
Location & Setting: Albuquerque’s Premier Outdoor Venue
The venue sits inside Mesa del Sol, a large planned community southeast of downtown Albuquerque, on open desert land with the Sandia Mountains visible in the distance. That setting is a big part of why it’s the default answer when people look for an outdoor venue in Albuquerque — the city’s other major stages, like Tingley Coliseum, are indoor arenas, while this is the one large dedicated outdoor amphitheater built to host touring concerts.
On-site parking is built for a venue of this scale, and the open surroundings mean there’s no downtown congestion to deal with on show nights — a practical advantage locals mention as often as the lineup itself.
What the Venue Looks Like: Photos & the Concert Experience
The layout is what you’d expect from a large regional amphitheater of its era: a covered pavilion with reserved seats close to the stage, opening onto a wide, gently sloped lawn where the crowd spreads out on blankets and folding chairs. Photos from shows here tend to capture the same signature backdrop — the stage lit up at dusk with the desert hills and Sandia Mountains behind it, and the lawn packed shoulder to shoulder for a sold-out headliner.
For current photos, seating views, and event galleries, the official First Financial Credit Union Amphitheater site is the best source, along with the venue’s listing pages on Live Nation and Ticketmaster, which post seat-view and show photos for individual events.
Planning Your Visit: Tickets & Parking
Tickets are sold through Live Nation and Ticketmaster and are typically priced in tiers — reserved seats closer to the stage cost more than general-admission lawn spots, which is standard for this style of amphitheater. Because it’s an outdoor venue, the concert season runs roughly spring through fall, with the schedule and any weather-related updates posted directly by the venue.
On-site parking is available for a fee and fills up quickly for big shows, so arriving early is worth it. For up-to-date show times, ticket pricing, parking details, and bag policy, check the official First Financial Credit Union Amphitheater site before you go, since those details can change season to season.
Isleta Amphitheater FAQs
What is Isleta Amphitheater called now?
As of the 2026 season, it’s officially First Financial Credit Union Amphitheater. It’s the same Mesa del Sol venue that carried the Isleta Amphitheater name from 2013 to 2025.
What did Isleta Amphitheater used to be called?
It opened in 2000 as the Mesa del Sol Amphitheater, then became the ABQ Journal Pavilion (2001–2010) and The Pavilion (2010–2013) before taking the Isleta Amphitheater name in 2013.
Is Mesa del Sol Amphitheater the same as Isleta Amphitheater?
Yes. Mesa del Sol Amphitheater was the venue’s original 2000 name. It’s the same building and location that later became Isleta Amphitheater and is now First Financial Credit Union Amphitheater.
What is the capacity of Isleta Amphitheater?
About 15,000, split between reserved seating near the stage and a large lawn area. That’s up from 12,000 at its 2000 opening, following a lawn expansion completed in 2009.
Where can I see photos of Isleta Amphitheater?
The official First Financial Credit Union Amphitheater website posts current photos and seat views, and Live Nation and Ticketmaster’s event pages include additional show and venue photos.
Where is Isleta Amphitheater located?
It’s in Albuquerque, New Mexico, within the Mesa del Sol planned community on the city’s south side, at 5601 University Blvd SE.
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