Hard Rock Casino Tejon celebrates groundbreaking of $725m expansion

• Upon completion of a $725m expansion, Hard Rock Casino Tejon will remerge as Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Tejon
• The redevelopment will bring hotel amenities, luxury dining and entertainment experiences, along with more slot machines
• Hard Rock and Tejon Indian Tribe executives share their excitement

The globally recognizable entertainment, hospitality and gaming brand, Hard Rock International (HRI), and the Tejon Indian Tribe continue the development of Hard Rock Casino Tejon.

This week, the duo reached a major milestone with the groundbreaking of the next phase of the casino's expansion that is expected to transform it into a full-service resort and entertainment destination called Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Tejon.

The expansion brings extra amenities

The next phase of Hard Rock Casino Tejon involves an investment of more than $725m that will deliver various amenities.

The expanded Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Tejon is expected to open its doors to visitors for the summer of 2028, bringing 406 hotel rooms, including 119 suites, as well as an extra 900 additional slot machines, growing the venue's offering to 3,000 slots.

Further amenities included in the expansion are a new Center Bar, a Rock Spa with more than a dozen treatment rooms, as well as two resort-style pools with daybeds and cabanas.

Equally important, the major redevelopment will bring a multi-use convention and event space, extra dining outlets and Council Oak Steaks and Seafood.

It was on November 13, 2025, when Hard Rock Casino Tejon celebrated its opening.

Since then, the venue, which is located on Tejon Indian Tribal Land, has built a reputation as a major entertainment and tourist destination in Kern County.

The next phase of Hard Rock Casino Tejon is expected to create approximately 1,500 construction jobs.

Then, once the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Tejon emerges, an additional 350 permanent positions are going to be introduced, increasing the total employee workforce to more than 1,700 permanent roles.

The redevelopment is going to elevate the guest experiences

The recent groundbreaking ceremony gathered Hard Rock executives, Tribal leaders, as well as community leaders and elected officials.

Construction and project partners also celebrated the start of the next phase of the project in California's Southern San Joaquin Valley.

Mike Bean, Hard Rock Casino Tejon's recently appointed Property President, shared his excitement in a press release.

"This groundbreaking represents an exciting next chapter for Hard Rock Casino Tejon. In less than a year, this property has established itself as a premier gaming and entertainment destination in California," he explained.

Moreover, Bean pointed out: "The addition of the hotel and these exceptional resort amenities will allow us to elevate the guest experience even further, attract visitors from across California and beyond, and create a true destination resort that reflects the energy, hospitality and entertainment Hard Rock is known for around the world."

Octavio Escobedo III, Chairman of the Tejon Indian Tribe, was similarly excited and acknowledged the groundbreaking marked another major milestone for the Tribe.

"Hard Rock Casino Tejon has already created jobs, opportunity and economic benefits for our Tribe and the surrounding community," he added.

The transformation of Hard Rock Casino Tejon, which represents an investment of more than $725m, is expected to boost tourism and the local economy, while delivering supreme experiences to guests from across the country and abroad.

Image credit: Hard Rock International