Hard Rock Casino Tejon breaks ground on $725m resort expansion

Hard Rock Casino Tejon and the Tejon Indian Tribe have broken ground on a more than $725m expansion that will convert the property into Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tejon and add a 406-room hotel, 900 new slot machines and resort amenities, with an anticipated opening in Summer 2028. The ceremony on tribal land in Mettler gathered tribal leaders, Hard Rock International executives, elected officials, community leaders and project partners; construction begins immediately following the groundbreaking.

The project scope

The expansion will deliver a 406-room Hard Rock Hotel that includes 119 suites and a range of king and double-queen accommodations, resort-style pools with cabanas and daybeds, and a full-service Rock Spa® featuring 13 treatment rooms. Gaming capacity will increase by 900 slot machines, bringing the property's total to 3,000 slots. The development also includes multi-use convention and event space with three smaller meeting and conference rooms, pre-function space and an outdoor event lawn.

The property opened as Hard Rock Casino Tejon in November 2025. The new hotel and resort amenities will position the site as a full-service resort and entertainment destination serving Kern County and California's Southern San Joaquin Valley. The site is located on Tejon Indian tribal land in Mettler, less than 15 miles south of Bakersfield.

Jobs, timing and economic impact

Construction is expected to create more than 1,500 jobs during development. After completion the expansion will add 350 permanent positions, bringing total permanent employment at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tejon to more than 1,700 positions.

"Today marks another historic milestone for the Tejon Indian Tribe and the vision we have worked generations to achieve," said Octavio Escobedo III, Chairman of the Tejon Indian Tribe. "Hard Rock Casino Tejon has already created jobs, opportunity and economic benefits for our Tribe and the surrounding community. This next investment builds upon that success and brings us closer to our long-term vision of creating a world-class resort destination that will serve our guests, strengthen our regional economy and create opportunities for generations to come."

"This groundbreaking represents an exciting next chapter for Hard Rock Casino Tejon," said Mike Bean, Property President of Hard Rock Casino Tejon. "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."

Construction is scheduled to continue through the development phase with the property targeting a Summer 2028 opening for the hotel, pools, spa, expanded gaming and meeting facilities. The project is framed as a major investment in jobs, tourism and economic activity for Kern County and the Southern San Joaquin Valley.

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