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- Hard Rock Casino Tejon and the Tejon Indian Tribe are planning an October groundbreaking to officially launch Phase 2 construction in Mettler, California.
- The expansion will add an 11-story, 400-room hotel, a 2,800-seat convention center and events venue, plus expanded gaming and resort amenities, signaling strong initial performance and a push to compete for broader regional tourism.
Hard Rock Casino Tejon is preparing to begin construction next month on a second phase that will add a 400-room hotel, convention and event space, new amenities, and expanded gaming at the California property.
The expansion is a notable next step for Hard Rock International and the Tejon Indian Tribe, which opened the casino’s first phase less than a year ago in Mettler, between Interstate 5 and Highway 99. An October groundbreaking is planned, according to Bakersfield.com.
Phase 2 adds hotel, event space, and more gaming
The second phase is set to include an 11-story hotel with 400 rooms, plus a convention center and events venue that was previously reported to have 2,800 seats. The project also calls for additional food and beverage options, resort amenities, and expanded gaming.
The existing casino is roughly 150,000 square feet and currently offers 2,100 slot machines and more than 60 table games, along with multiple dining options.
Bakersfield.com reported that the groundbreaking is expected to draw elected officials, community leaders, project partners, and media. The outlet also said Hard Rock declined to comment on the groundbreaking news, while the Tejon Indian Tribe did not respond to a request for comment.
What the expansion could signal
The article said the move to green-light phase 2 may suggest the property has met or exceeded financial expectations, though no public performance figures were cited.
That makes the development significant beyond the construction timeline alone. A hotel, event venue, and broader resort amenities would push the property further beyond a casino-only offering and deepen its capacity to compete for tourism, entertainment, and group business in the region.
A firm opening date for phase 2 remains unclear. Hard Rock had previously said the expansion would open in summer 2027, but later told The Californian there was no confirmed opening date for the start of the second phase.
For now, the key milestone is the planned October groundbreaking, which would mark the formal start of the next buildout at one of California’s newest major online casino properties.
Source: As reported by bakersfield.com.
