The Mercedes-Benz Amphitheater sits on the bank of the Black Warrior River, a 15-acre outdoor venue that hosts concerts, festivals, and community events throughout the year. The river setting gives it an unusual character for a mid-sized city venue — the stage faces the water, and the seating and lawn areas slope toward the riverbank.
The amphitheater is owned by the city and named after the German automaker in recognition of the Mercedes-Benz Vance manufacturing plant near Tuscaloosa, which produces the M-Class SUV. The plant opened in 1997 and employs several thousand people, making it a significant part of the local economy. It is one of the first Mercedes-Benz plants outside Germany.