The basics:
- Strong performance in 2025 across sectors set up Atlantic City for growth in 2026
- More than $250M in infrastructure upgrades completed or underway
- Expanded air service and major events fuel 2026 momentum
- Residential development, small-business grants, packed events calendar deepen city’s economic base
As Atlantic City moves into 2026, the city does so with measurable momentum and a growing sense of alignment across municipal leadership, tourism partners, and the private sector. Following a consequential 2025 marked by fiscal discipline, tourism growth, capital investments, infrastructure investment and strategic brand integration, Atlantic City is positioning itself as a more diversified, resilient and competitive destination.
From the restoration of investment-grade credit status to expanded air service, major event commitments, record-setting tourism performance and total gaming revenue, the foundation laid over the past year has altered the city’s trajectory and sharpened expectations for the year ahead.
One of the most significant developments entering 2026 came in early January, when Moody’s Ratings upgraded Atlantic City’s issuer credit rating to Baa3, restoring the city to investment-grade status for the first time in more than a decade. Moody’s cited healthy reserves, stable operations, rapid debt reduction and improved long-term obligations, removing all rating outlooks in recognition of the city’s strengthened financial footing.
“This is a testament to my administration, the State of New Jersey, and City Council working together to achieve this powerful vote of confidence in Atlantic City’s financial future,” said Mayor Marty Small. “Reaching investment-grade status shows how far the Great City of Atlantic City has come since its financial crisis and that we are now operating from a position of strength.”
The upgrade arrives as Atlantic City heads toward its seventh consecutive municipal tax decrease, reinforcing the administration’s emphasis on responsible budgeting and long-term stability.
Small underscored that momentum during his Jan. 22 State of the City address, themed, “The Future Is Ours,” which outlined accomplishments and priorities for the city.
“What we are accomplishing under this Administration is nothing short of extraordinary,” said Small. “Year after year, we continue to deliver meaningful progress, exciting new developments, and major milestones for our city.”
Paving the way
In 2025, Atlantic City advanced more than $250 million in infrastructure investments at zero cost to taxpayers, Small stressed. Major road projects along Baltic Avenue and Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard were completed, while work continues along Pacific and Atlantic avenues. For the first time in city history, traffic signals along those roads will be fully synchronized, improving traffic flow and pedestrian safety.
Boardwalk reinvestment remains a priority, with a $20 million repair project now underway and additional resiliency improvements progressing in Chelsea and Ducktown. Critical pump station upgrades and bulkhead repairs further strengthen the city’s climate resilience.
Economic development efforts yielded tangible results as well. Through the city’s Economic Development team, $900,000 was awarded to 65 small businesses in 2025. The funding helped retain approximately 200 jobs and create 75 new positions. Many of the recipients were minority-, women- or veteran-owned businesses.
Residential growth continues to accelerate, with nearly 300 housing units planned by K. Hovnanian in the Inlet, alongside additional developments near the former Atlantic Club site, Kushner Cos.’s Caspian Pointe and multiple projects within the Orange Loop neighborhoods.
Public safety improvements accompanied development. Crime has declined in Atlantic City for each of the past three years, with an overall reduction of more than 12% since 2022. In 2025, the Atlantic City Police Department achieved a historic milestone by solving 100% of homicides and non-fatal shootings, achievements aided by investments in technology and equipment.
“No matter what challenges exist beyond Atlantic City, we control our destiny,” said Small. “And we will continue to prosper, grow, and move forward, just as we have every single year I’ve been in office.”
Welcome to AC
On the tourism front, 2025 marked a turning point for Visit Atlantic City, which integrated leisure and meetings marketing, and the DO AC brand and assets, under the unified Visit Atlantic City banner. The organization says that move sharpened strategy, improved efficiency and delivered measurable growth across the destination.
At its Feb. 4 Annual Meeting in Review, Visit Atlantic City reported hosting 205 meetings, conventions and tradeshows in 2025; generating 328,067 room nights; welcoming 533,242 attendees; and producing more than $362 million in economic impact.
“As a destination, we were thrilled to see the success of the unification of our leisure and meetings marketing efforts,” said Gary Musich, president and CEO, Visit Atlantic City. “The integration gave our team the opportunity to think more creatively and fueled meaningful tourism growth across the destination and region as we established efficient partnerships and collaborations.”
The organization’s digital and leisure marketing strategies drove strong engagement, including 292,249 partner referrals, more than 100,000 book-direct referrals, and thousands of visitor guide requests — signals of growing trip-planning intent.
‘Iconic in the Everyday’
Visit Atlantic City also debuted its new brand campaign – Iconic in the Everyday. The effort capitalizes on being a recognizable destination and aligning Atlantic City with its brand pillars of nostalgia and history.
“Consolidating leisure and convention marketing under Visit Atlantic City in early 2025 was transformative,” said Eric Scheffler, executive director of the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority and chairman of Visit Atlantic City’s board. “This strengthened our ability to showcase Atlantic City as a premier meetings destination and vibrant leisure getaway.
“We will build on this momentum and keep positioning Atlantic City as a world-class destination.”
Consolidating leisure and convention marketing under Visit Atlantic City in early 2025 was transformative.
– Eric Scheffler, executive director, CRDA
“2025 was immensely successful for Atlantic City following our integration with the DO AC brand at the start of the year,” said Musich. “Now that Visit Atlantic City has a year under our belt with a greater focus on leisure travel, we are looking forward to building on this tremendous momentum.
“Of course, meetings and conventions will continue to be a large focus in 2026, and we are eager to keep showcasing Atlantic City through that lens as we look to attract both leisure and business travelers alike.”
Jam-packed calendar
And the momentum is already carrying into 2026. AC has 13 conventions, events and competitions booked for the first quarter alone, including the Pool & Spa Show, Discover Boating Atlantic City Boat Show and more, alongside major sporting events.
The new year also includes a reimagining of Atlantic City Restaurant Week as Taste Atlantic City and the return of the Visit Atlantic City Soar & Shore Festival.
“As we look ahead to 2026, we’re excited to see how new and ongoing initiatives … thrive within a more focused strategy,” said Musich. “While meetings and conventions will always remain a top priority, this leisure integration marked a pivotal moment for the destination, and we look forward to seeing leisure and meetings travel continue to grow together in the year ahead.”
Atlantic City’s accessibility continues to improve as well. On the heels of Allegiant Air’s expansion into Atlantic City International Airport, Breeze Airways also announced new nonstop service to Charleston, S.C., and Raleigh-Durham, N.C., along with one-stop BreezeThru service to Tampa, Fla., beginning in late spring.
“We’re thrilled to see Breeze Airways expanding air service to Atlantic City, strengthening access and making it easier than ever for travelers to reach our destination,” said Musich. “With new nonstop routes launching just in time for summer, visitors from Charleston, Raleigh-Durham and Tampa can experience Atlantic City when our beaches, entertainment, dining and energy are at their most lively, while also opening the door to new audiences and reinforcing our position as a premier destination for meetings and events.”
Atlantic City also secured a significant long-term event commitment with the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference’s decision to extend its Men’s and Women’s Basketball Championships residency through 2031. The five additional years – approved unanimously by the MAAC Council of Presidents – represents the longest host-site agreement in conference history and ensures Atlantic City will host the championships for a total of 12 years.
On the horizon
While Atlantic City faces increasing regional competition – particularly following New York’s approval of three downstate casino licenses – leaders view 2026 as a year of opportunity rather than retreat.
Record-setting total gaming revenue, continued reinvestment by casino operators (including the all-new Solana Tower at Tropicana Atlantic City), expanded air access, infrastructure improvements and a growing events calendar all point to a destination on the rise.
“The Atlantic City casino industry is optimistic about the year ahead,” said Mark Giannantonio, president, Casino Association of New Jersey, in January. “In 2025, our properties invested hundreds of millions of dollars in capital improvements, delivering a world-class experience for our customers while supporting tens of thousands of good-paying jobs and generating vital tax revenue for the city and state.
“Those investments extended beyond our properties through our unwavering commitments to our local community. With new events, projects and experiences on the horizon, we are confident Atlantic City’s continued revitalization as a premier destination resort will build in 2026.”
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