Wildhorse's $100 Million Expansion Adds Flexible Concert Hall Through Gala Systems Partnership
PENDLETON, Oregon - Wildhorse Resort & Casino has announced a partnership with Gala Systems for the resort's new convention center and concert hall, a centerpiece of the property's ongoing $100 million-plus expansion project scheduled for completion in 2027.
The agreement brings advanced venue-conversion technology to the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation's flagship gaming destination. Under the partnership, Gala Systems will provide engineering, installation, training, and testing of its Gala Venue® flooring and seating system, which allows event spaces to transform between multiple seating and floor configurations in a matter of minutes.
The technology is designed to support a wide range of events, including concerts, conventions, meetings, banquets, receptions, and sporting events. Instead of requiring lengthy setup periods, venue operators can use pre-programmed layouts to quickly reconfigure the space for different audiences and event types.
#1 ALL-IN-ONE Casino Favorite!The system will be installed in Wildhorse's new event center, which is planned to include more than 40,000 square feet of convention and meeting space and a concert hall capable of hosting more than 1,700 guests. Resort officials say the flexible design will allow multiple events to take place simultaneously while providing a significantly larger entertainment venue than the property currently offers.
The project also carries industry significance. Wildhorse says it will become the first tribal casino to feature the Gala Venue flooring and seating system and one of the first venues in the United States to adopt the technology.
For tribal gaming operators, flexible event venues are becoming increasingly important as casinos seek to diversify revenue streams beyond gaming. Convention business, concerts, corporate meetings, and special events help drive hotel occupancy, food and beverage sales, and overall visitation.
The Gala Systems announcement comes as Wildhorse continues construction on one of the largest hospitality projects in eastern Oregon. The expansion includes a new hotel tower with 214 additional rooms and suites, more than doubling the property's lodging capacity to over 400 rooms. Expanded dining venues and new convention facilities are also part of the development.
The resort has also begun laying the groundwork for future entertainment programming. In a separate announcement this week, Seattle Entertainment Group was selected to lead entertainment strategy, talent buying, concert programming, and venue operations planning for the new facility.
Together, the two announcements provide a clearer picture of how Wildhorse plans to maximize its investment. While Gala Systems will provide the infrastructure needed to create a highly adaptable venue, Seattle Entertainment Group will help develop the concerts, events, and entertainment offerings intended to attract visitors from across Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and the broader Pacific Northwest.
Project materials indicate the expansion will increase concert capacity by more than 300 percent while creating opportunities for a substantially larger number of live events each year.
Resort officials expect the new event center and concert venue to open in spring 2027, marking a major milestone in Wildhorse's effort to establish itself as a leading entertainment and convention destination in the Pacific Northwest.
Key Expansion Highlights
- More than $100 million invested in resort improvements.
- New event center featuring over 40,000 square feet of convention and meeting space.
- New concert hall with capacity for more than 1,700 guests.
- Gala Venue® seating and flooring system enabling rapid venue reconfiguration.
- 214 new hotel rooms and suites.
- Expanded dining and hospitality offerings.
- Targeted opening in spring 2027.
