Hollywood Casino-Aurora on Track for Completion in H1 2026

Construction of the Hollywood Casino-Aurora hotel and casino resort started in November 2023. With a goal of opening in 2026, so far, the works are going within budget and as planned, a newly released report suggests.

Works on PENN Entertainment’s $360M Hotel and Casino in Aurora Continue

Hollywood Casino-Aurora represents the new location of the downtown Aurora casino. PENN Entertainment, the leading gaming and hospitality company, previously announced that it plans to use nearly 19 acres of land near I-88 and Farnsworth Road for the new project that will feature luxury hotel accommodation, a range of gaming activities, as well as food and beverage options, parking spaces and other amenities.

As announced by the Chicago Tribune in the latest quarterly update on the project, Hollywood Casino-Aurora’s construction is going according to plan and within the set budget. The cost of the project is the mind-blowing $360 million and while PENN owns the Hollywood Casino brand, the company has joined forces with POWER Construction, the project’s main developer.

The latter company also collaborates with local contractors on the project, something Aurora officials approved of and were happy to see. “I really want to thank all of the team members for running such a smooth job and helping our local economy in the way that they have so conscientiously,” John Curley, Aurora chief development services officer said.

Since the start of the construction, to date, the project has successfully passed more than 600 inspections, an achievement that highlights the construction contractor’s dedication to adhering to the established regulations and meeting the deadline for the project.

Hollywood Casino-Aurora, a Game-Changer for the City

During the latest update on the hotel and casino development on Thursday, Aurora’s Mayor, Richard Irvin, spoke about the importance of the project. He recognized Hollywood Casino-Aurora as a “game-changer” for the city. In addition, Irvin said that the massive project will deliver the city’s first four-star hotel and the largest development built for more than five decades.

The massive project is expected to offer more than 200 hotel rooms, a wide range of entertainment, hospitality, food and beverage outlets. An event center on site would be used for a range of different gatherings, while a modern casino floor will offer a sportsbook and 1,200 gaming positions.

Per the recent update, some 645 out of 836 windowpanes required for the hotel, which will span seven floors high, have already been installed. On the other hand, Hollywood Casino-Aurora’s parking garage structure has already been fully built and approximately 75% of its windows have already been installed. The massive parking structure will offer parking for 1,000 vehicles upon completion. Considering the most recent update, Hollywood Casino-Aurora remains on track with its plan to welcome its first visitors in the first half of 2026. A solid date for the planned opening is yet to be announced.