By Jakob Ryan / Jambar Contributor
For the first time since 2019, Y-Live will return to Stambaugh Stadium with two headlining country shows.
Singer Jason Aldean will take stage July 10 accompanied by opener Travis Tritt. The following day, July 11, sees artist Eric Church as the headliner with an opening from singer-songwriter Ernest.
Over the last five years, Y-Live has taken place at Wean Park, located directly west of the Covelli Centre, with concerts from artists such as Luke Bryan, Tim McGraw and John Mayer.
Local company JAC Management Group organizes the shows. The group started by helping oversee all operations at Covelli Centre in 2008.
For JAC Management Group Owner Eric Ryan, the return to Stambaugh Stadium was of the utmost importance.
“If you think about the way Stambaugh is set up, it is a one-sided stadium, which is very unique,” Ryan said. “The advantage to that is having the one side that sits 15,000 people, with the stage at the 50-yard line. The sight lines are second to none.”
Ryan also said that on top of this, it was important to produce a show in the city that JAC Live calls home.
“Having it in Youngstown, within the city limits and on the campus of the university of where our company is from, really was the driving force. It wouldn’t have been the same if we moved it to a neighboring university,” Ryan said.
In the past, Y-Live has only consisted of one show, however, that all changed last year with JAC presenting two headlining shows. This year, JAC Live will return to the same formula, but for the first time at Stambaugh Stadium.
Due to having two shows this year instead of one, different YSU departments have worked together to make sure both shows go smoothly.
Becky Rose, executive director of marketing and communications, said the concerts present a new, exciting challenge.
“It’s not something we do every day. It’s something that we all have to work really hard together
Danny O’Connell, director of Support Services, said YSU began preparing for the event months in advance.
“Parking Services [begins] planning for major events such as Y-Live well in advance. YSU and the Y-Live organizers are already actively coordinating parking logistics,” O’Connell said.
Rose said such events as the concerts are a great way to draw people to campus.
“It’s a great opportunity for people from all over, that maybe wouldn’t have necessarily come to YSU for anything else, to come here and see what a great campus we have,” Rose said.
With just four months left until these country artists take center stage, the countdown for Y-Live 2026 has already begun.
Editor’s note: Jakob Ryan is Eric Ryan’s nephew.
Source Contact Info:
Eric Ryan: JAC Group Management Owner, (330- 507-7975), ( ERyan@jacmg.com)
Becky Rose: Executive Director of Marketing & Communications, (330-941-2159), (rarose01@ysu.edu)
Danny O’Connell: Director of Support Services, (djoconnell@ysu.edu)