Graton Resort & Casino Celebrates Billion-Dollar Expansion with Red-Carpet Event in Rohnert Park

Graton Resort & Casino in Rohnert Park, California, hosted a red-carpet celebration on the evening of May 8, 2026, to mark the opening of its $1 billion expansion which debuted the previous Monday on May 4. The event brought together celebrities, local officials, and media representatives for an evening that included dining, live performances, and coverage of the new amenities now available to visitors.

The expansion added a new 28,000-square-foot smoke-free indoor-outdoor restaurant called AYA along with new slots, a sports bar, rooftop dining options, and other features designed to enhance the property. Attendees moved through these spaces during the celebration, which highlighted the scale of the investment and the range of additions now open to the public.

Details of the Expansion Project

The $1 billion project expanded the resort's offerings in multiple areas at once, with the 28,000-square-foot AYA restaurant serving as a central new feature that combines indoor and outdoor seating in a smoke-free environment. Additional slots increased gaming capacity while the new sports bar and rooftop dining areas provided dedicated spaces for guests seeking different experiences throughout their visit.

Construction and preparation wrapped up in early May 2026, allowing the full expansion to debut on May 4 before the formal celebration took place four days later. Reports from the event noted that visitors could already access the updated facilities by the time the red-carpet gathering began, giving early feedback on the new restaurant and gaming areas.

The May 8 Celebration and Its Guests

Mario Lopez served as emcee for the evening, guiding the program that featured dining selections from the new AYA restaurant and performances staged across the property. Carmen Electra, Hunter Pence, and E-40 joined the guest list along with California Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis, who attended as a representative of state government.

The program combined formal remarks with entertainment segments, allowing attendees to experience the new rooftop dining space and sports bar in person. Media coverage captured arrivals on the red carpet and reactions to the completed additions, which include expanded gaming floors and updated dining concepts that opened earlier that week.

Observers noted the presence of both entertainment figures and political leaders at the same gathering, reflecting the regional significance of the investment in Sonoma County. The combination of performances and facility tours gave participants a direct look at how the $1 billion project had altered the resort layout since its May 4 opening.

Community and Industry Context in 2026

According to coverage of the event, the expansion aligns with broader growth patterns in California gaming properties that have continued to invest in mixed-use amenities. The addition of smoke-free dining options such as AYA addresses evolving guest preferences while new slots and sports facilities aim to draw a wider range of visitors to Rohnert Park.

State officials including Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis participated in the evening's activities, underscoring the regulatory framework under which the expansion received approval. Industry reports from the period indicate that projects of this scale often coincide with updates to local infrastructure and employment opportunities in the surrounding area.

The timing of the May 8 celebration, just days after the May 4 debut, allowed the resort to showcase operational elements of the new restaurant and gaming areas while they were still fresh. Guests sampled offerings from AYA and explored the rooftop dining sections during the same evening that featured live performances and media presence.

Conclusion

The red-carpet event at Graton Resort & Casino on May 8, 2026, formally recognized the completion of a $1 billion expansion that introduced AYA, additional slots, a sports bar, rooftop dining, and related amenities just four days earlier. With Mario Lopez as emcee and appearances by Carmen Electra, Hunter Pence, E-40, and Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis, the evening combined entertainment with tours of the updated facilities. Reports indicate the celebration highlighted both the new smoke-free restaurant and the broader range of experiences now available at the Rohnert Park property.