Cedar Crossing Casino & Entertainment Center in Iowa’s Cedar Rapids has moved up its opening date from New Year’s Eve to mid-November 2026.
A rendering of the $275 million Cedar Crossing Casino & Entertainment Center in Iowa’s Cedar Rapids. The casino destination is slated to open in mid-November 2026. (Image: Cedar Rapids Development Group)A $275 million project from Los Angeles-based Peninsula Pacific Entertainment (P2E), Cedar Crossing Casino originally planned to open on Dec. 31. Company officials say construction has gone ahead of schedule, allowing the destination to get up and running sooner.
“We have been fortunate to partner with many Iowa contractors and trade unions to work on the build of Cedar Crossing Casino & Entertainment Center. A strong plan, good architecture, strategic procurement, local labor, and favorable weather have helped keep work ahead of schedule,” said Stefan Huba, chief development officer at P2E.
The construction progress came despite a lawsuit hovering over the project throughout much of the work.
Just a year ago, Elite Casino Resorts dropped its lawsuit challenging the 2021 referendum that authorized Cedar Crossing Casino. Elite operates Riverside Casino & Golf Resort, the venue expected to take the biggest financial hit from the new Cedar Rapids development.
Cedar Crossing Attractions
Built along the Cedar River, Cedar Crossing Casino & Entertainment Center is a 160,000-square-foot facility featuring a 1,500-capacity entertainment venue, several restaurants, and a science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) lab called the Compass Center that has its own dedicated entrance.
The culinary offerings are highlighted by the Clubhouse by Zach Johnson, a steakhouse with locally sourced steaks and chops, premium cocktails, and local brews. Johnson, the 2007 Masters and 2015 Open Championship winner and the 2003 Ryder Cup captain, is an Iowa native.
As for the casino, Cedar Crossing plans to open with around 700 slot machines, 22 live dealer table games, and a sportsbook.
The property will contribute 8% of its net adjusted gross revenue to the Linn County Gaming Association to support nonprofit organizations, considerably higher than the state-mandated 3% charitable allocation.
The casino continues to hire for an array of positions across multiple departments and experience levels. For more information, click here.
Major Acts Booked
Cedar Crossing Casino & Entertainment Center will kick off its opening celebrations with one of the biggest acts in country music. Old Dominion will headline The Event Center on Dec. 5, bringing their nine No. 1 country radio hit singles to Iowa.
Other opening acts booked for the casino venue include comedians Brooks Wheelan (Dec. 10), “Jackass” star Steve-O (Dec. 12), and Josh Blue (Dec. 17).
Farther out, the Cedar Crossing Casino Event Center is poised to become a key stop on country music tours, as the venue has the Eli Young Band booked for Jan. 22, 2027, and The Marshall Tucker Band on March 13.
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