MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre is Tampa’s main outdoor concert venue for touring acts. It sits on the Florida State Fairgrounds just off Interstate 4, at 4802 US Highway 301 North. Since opening in July 2004, it has hosted rock, country, pop, hip-hop and Christian tours. The layout pairs a covered-seat-style reserved bowl near the stage with a big open lawn behind it.
This guide covers what most first-time visitors want to know: how the seating and lawn work, how parking is handled, what you can and can’t bring through the gates, and how the amphitheater went from Ford Amphitheatre to the infamous 1-800-ASK-GARY Amphitheatre and finally to its current name.
Quick Answer
MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre is a roughly 20,000-capacity outdoor venue at the Florida State Fairgrounds in Tampa, with about 9,900 reserved seats and about 10,000 lawn spots. Parking is sold separately from tickets, only clear bags up to 12″ x 6″ x 12″ (or small clutches up to 6″ x 9″) are allowed, and lawn chairs, outside food, coolers and umbrellas are not.
Stats at a Glance
Location: 4802 US Highway 301 North, Tampa, Florida (Florida State Fairgrounds, near I-4). Type: outdoor amphitheater. Opened: July 2004. Capacity: about 20,000 (approx. 9,900 reserved seats and 10,000 lawn). Owner: Florida State Fair Authority. Operator: Live Nation. Named for: MidFlorida Credit Union, which took over the naming rights in 2013.
Seating: Reserved Seats vs. the Lawn
The amphitheater uses a bowl-style layout. Roughly 9,900 reserved seats sit closest to the stage, and the rest of the crowd, roughly 10,000 people, spreads out on the sloped lawn behind them. Reserved seats guarantee you a specific spot and a better view. Lawn tickets are cheaper and more relaxed, but sightlines depend on how early you arrive and how packed the show is.
For lawn shows, arrive early enough to claim a spot with a good view of the stage or the video screens. Blankets are generally welcome on the lawn, but standard lawn chairs are not allowed in. The venue has offered rental chairs for lawn seating, so check current details with the venue. Because the amphitheater is outdoors in Florida, expect heat, humidity and the occasional summer storm delay. The venue has offered free water refill stations and complimentary sunscreen, so bring a refillable bottle and a hat.
Planning Your Visit: Tickets, Parking and Gates
Tickets for most shows are sold through Ticketmaster and the venue’s own site, with pricing tiers that run from lawn admission to reserved seats to premium options. Prices vary widely by artist, date and seat location, so always check the listing for your specific show. The box office generally opens on show days only, in the afternoon.
Parking is sold separately from concert tickets. You can typically buy it online in advance or at the gate, and buying ahead has been the cheaper route. The lots open about two hours before gates, and the venue sells Premier or VIP parking for easier entry and exit. Accessible parking is available on a first-come basis with a valid state-issued placard. Because concerts share the fairgrounds with other events, follow the on-site signs and arrive early to beat I-4 traffic.
Gate times, parking prices, and event-specific rules change from show to show. For the current details, use the official MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre visitor page as your source of truth.
Bag Policy and What You Can Bring
The amphitheater enforces a clear-bag policy. Clear plastic, vinyl or PVC bags are allowed up to 12″ x 6″ x 12″, and small clutch bags need not be clear but can’t exceed 6″ x 9″. All bags are searched at entry. Guests can bring one factory-sealed water bottle of up to one gallon, as well as empty refillable plastic bottles.
The venue’s published rules ban weapons, outside alcohol, illegal drugs, glass containers, cans, coolers, outside food, umbrellas, laser pointers, selfie sticks, drones, fireworks, glow sticks, aerosols, strollers and professional cameras (including cameras with detachable lenses). Animals are not allowed except service animals. Smoking is limited to designated areas on the Plaza and the Lawn. Individual events can add restrictions, so double-check before your show.
A Venue That’s Changed Its Name Often
The amphitheater opened in July 2004 as the Ford Amphitheatre, with an inaugural show featuring Michael W. Smith, David Crowder and headliner MercyMe. It kept that name until 2010, when a personal injury law firm bought the naming rights and renamed it the 1-800-ASK-GARY Amphitheatre. The change was widely mocked, and an online poll at the time found most respondents disliked it.
After a brief stint as the Live Nation Amphitheatre in 2013, MidFlorida Credit Union took over the naming rights that same year. The venue has carried that name ever since, operated by Live Nation on land owned by the Florida State Fair Authority. Many locals still call it by its old names, so you may see all of them on older tickets and articles.
Concerts on the Fairgrounds
Because the amphitheater sits on the fairgrounds in East Tampa near I-4, it draws crowds from across the Tampa Bay area. The venue hosts a full season of touring concerts across genres. Since it sits near residential neighborhoods, operators built a noise-reduction wall and require acts to stay within set decibel limits during shows. That is one reason the venue is typically a good fit for an outdoor show without disturbing neighbors.
MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre FAQs
When did MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre open?
The venue opened in July 2004 under its original name, the Ford Amphitheatre.
Where is MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre?
It is at 4802 US Highway 301 North in Tampa, Florida, on the Florida State Fairgrounds next to Interstate 4.
What was the amphitheater called before MidFlorida Credit Union?
It was the Ford Amphitheatre (2004–2010), the 1-800-ASK-GARY Amphitheatre (2010–2012), and briefly the Live Nation Amphitheatre (2013) before taking its current name later in 2013.
How many people does the amphitheater hold?
It has a total capacity of about 20,000, split between roughly 9,900 reserved seats and 10,000 lawn spots.
Is parking included with a concert ticket?
No. Parking is sold separately, either online in advance or at the gate. Lots typically open about two hours before gates, and Premier or VIP parking is available. Check the official visitor page for current prices.
What is the bag policy?
Clear plastic, vinyl or PVC bags up to 12″ x 6″ x 12″ are allowed, along with small clutches up to 6″ x 9″. All bags are searched at entry.
Can I bring a lawn chair or blanket?
Standard lawn chairs are not allowed, though blankets are generally welcome on the lawn. Check the venue’s rules for your specific show, since restrictions can vary by event.
Can I bring water into the amphitheater?
Yes. The venue allows one factory-sealed water bottle up to one gallon, plus empty refillable plastic bottles. The venue has also offered free water refill stations.
Who operates MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre?
Live Nation operates the venue, while the land is owned by the Florida State Fair Authority.
Get More from MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre
Log the coasters, stadiums, and venues you’ve experienced, rate MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre, and see what your friends thought. Get the ThrillZing app.
Want the day’s theme park news in your inbox? Subscribe to ThrillZing Daily — free.