Fox Theatre Secured $5 Million Naming Rights Deal
The Fox Theatre and Hughes Federal Credit Union have partnered on a ten-year agreement for a new event center.
Updated on Sept. 29, 2026 in Cultural
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The Fox Theatre and Hughes Federal Credit Union have entered a $5 million, 10-year naming rights agreement. The funds will support a $26.6 million expansion project to create the new Hughes Federal Credit Union Event Center at the Fox.
Why it matters
This partnership represents a long-term investment in the city of Tucson. It combines corporate sponsorship with $7.8 million in member donations to facilitate the theater's growth.
The partnership includes a $5 million naming rights deal and $7.8 million in member donations toward a $26.6 million project. The Fox Theatre, established 96 years ago, is collaborating with the 74-year-old Hughes Federal Credit Union.
The players
Fox Theatre
A historic cultural institution in Tucson that opened 96 years ago.
Hughes Federal Credit Union
A financial cooperative founded 74 years ago that is investing in local arts.
The details
The theater purchased the property adjacent to its existing site in late 2021 to prepare for the expansion. Construction work is slated to take place during daytime hours to facilitate the development of the new venue at the intersection of Stone Avenue and Congress Boulevard.
Timeline
The Fox Theatre purchased the adjacent property in late 2021.
Construction on the project is expected to begin in 2028.
The new venue is currently scheduled to open in 2030.
Industry Dynamics
This project follows the pattern established by the 2021 Fox Theatre land acquisition. It highlights a trend of historic venues securing long-term corporate partnerships to fund capital-intensive renovations and expansions.
Residents can expect new venue space at the corner of Stone Avenue and Congress Boulevard by 2030. The expansion project will eventually increase the capacity for events and performances available to the local community.
The takeaway
This naming rights deal underscores how local cultural institutions are increasingly relying on multi-decade corporate sponsorships to fund infrastructure growth. Readers should watch for future updates on the construction timeline as the 2028 start date approaches.
What happens next
Construction is expected to commence in 2028, with the new event center scheduled for a grand opening in 2030.
Further reading
Learn more about the artistic development in the region on the Tucson Cultural page.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Arizona Public Media.
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