ATHENS, Greece — Yesterday, Hard Rock International officially announced the company's participation in the Greek Government's RFP process to issue a license for an integrated resort and casino at the former Hellinikon Airport site in the historic city of Athens, Greece.

During a local press conference at the company's Hard Rock Cafe in Athens, Chairman and CEO of Hard Rock International, Jim Allen shared the company's vision for Hellinikon. "We have always believed Athens to be one of the world's great gateway cities and Hard Rock International envisions creating a must see destination that will help draw from the over 120m annual guests across 74 countries, driving year-round tourism and being an economic driver for Greece. This marks another step in the Company's efforts to expand our world-class brand of entertainment and hospitality to Europe."

The announcement follows over a year and a half of work on the project and if awarded, construction for the project is estimated to take 24-26 months.

Allen continued, "This announcement continues to illustrate Hard Rock's commitment to Greece and the great city of Athens following our investment in the Company owned Athens Cafe when no one else was investing during the financial crisis in 2014."

Allen surprised guests at the local press conference by unveiling a donation from renowned Greek songwriter and composer Mikis Thedorakis, who donated a handwritten orchestral score from the work "Refusal," which was versified in 1960 in the poetic work of Nobel Prize winning Greek singer and songwriter, Giorgos Seferis. The lyrics were then reworked into song for the first time in 1962 by Grigoris Bithikotsis. Mr. Allen then revealed a second donation - the beloved chaplet of Grigoris Bithikotsis. These cherished pieces of memorabilia that pay homage to the Country's musical heritage will be added to Hard Rock International's largest and most valuable collection of music memorabilia in the world.

About Hard Rock®

Hard Rock International (HRI) is one of the most globally recognized companies with venues in over 70 countries spanning 309 locations that include owned/licensed or managed Hotels, Casinos, Rock Shops®, Live Performance Venues, and Cafes. HRI also launched a joint venture named Hard Rock Digital in 2020, an online sportsbook, retail sportsbook, and internet gaming platform. Beginning with an Eric Clapton guitar, Hard Rock owns the world's largest and most valuable collection of authentic music memorabilia at more than 87,000 pieces, which are displayed at its locations around the globe. In 2023, Hard Rock Hotels was honored by J.D. Power's North America Hotel Guest Satisfaction Index Study as the number one Upper Upscale Hotels brand in Outstanding Guest Satisfaction for the fourth time over the last five years. Hard Rock was also honored by Forbes among the World's Best Employers, as well as Best Employers for Women, Diversity and New Grads, Best Brands for Social Impact, Customer Service All-Star and a Top Large Employer in the Travel & Leisure, Gaming, and Entertainment Industry. HRI became the first privately-owned gaming company designated a U.S. Best Managed Company by Deloitte Private and The Wall Street Journal in 2021, and has since been honored threefold. In the 2022 Global Gaming Awards, Hard Rock was named Land-Based Operator of the Year for the second time in four years. Hard Rock International currently holds investment grades from primary investment rating agencies: S&P Global Ratings (BBB) and Fitch Ratings (BBB). For more information on Hard Rock International, visit www.hardrock.com or shop.hardrock.com.