Manchester’s buzzing music and events scene has burst back to life, and the AO Arena is at the heart of it all.
The huge city centre venue has got some big shows still to come in February, and even more exciting events coming up later in the year.
With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, why not ‘Say It With Tickets‘ and buy your loved ones the gift of live entertainment.
The AO Arena also has a range of hospitality packages on hand if you want to push the boat out with the best seats and added extras.
You can enjoy a glass of fizz or three in one of its private suites, or watch the show from the best seats in the house with pre-show drinks in the View Bar.
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L.O.L. Surprise! Live
Credit: Publicity picture
For the first time ever, one of the world’s most popular toys will be putting on a live arena show.
The L.O.L. Surprise Live! tour will see characters and holograms dancing and singing on stage.
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The shows have been rescheduled from the original dates in December and January, and will now take place on Friday 11 February at 5.30pm, and Saturday 12 February at 12pm and 3.30pm.
Amir Khan vs Kell Brook
If your loved one is more of a sporting fan than a music fan, you can still snap up tickets for this massive boxing match.
Bolton’s very own boxing legend Amir Khan will face off with Kell Brook as their decade-long rivalry comes to a conclusion.
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Thousands of fans will pack the AO Arena and watch from around the world on February 19.
Dave
Multi award-winning rapper Dave will be hitting the stage at the AO Arena in February.
Since bursting onto the scene in 2016, he has collaborated with the likes of Drake, Stormzy, and Burna Boy.
Hot off the back of the release of his chart-topping album We’re All Alone In This Together, Dave will perform on 24 February.
John Bishop is doing two nights at the AO Arena in February.
One of the world’s most successful comedians – and owner of the whitest teeth – will be performing material at the end of the month.
John Bishop will spend two nights entertaining the crowds at the AO Arena with his Right Here Right Now World Tour.
You can catch him on 25 and 26 February.
Further ahead
Appetite for events is well and truly back, so it pays to get tickets booked in advance.
If you’re after comedy, you can see Alan Partridge at the AO Arena on 14 May, Joe Lycett on 20 September or Jason Manford on 15 October.
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Superleague Netball will also return with Manchester Thunder vs Leeds Rhinos on 12 March, and then the Darts will follow on 14 May.
Music-wise, there are shows from Stormzy, Stereophonics, The Wanted, and Royal Blood still to come this spring too.
Head over to ao-arena.com to pick your perfect date, book online or get in touch with the hospitality team for more information on exclusive experiences, call: 07741 194 110 or email: [email protected].
Gigs & Nightlife
Kings of Leon announce Manchester arena show on short run of UK dates
Daisy Jackson
Kings of Leon have just announced a short run of UK shows for next year, which includes an arena gig here in Manchester.
The multi-Grammy Award-winning rock band will be performing at the Co-op Live arena, along with two other British dates in Leeds and Glasgow.
Kings of Leon are one of the biggest alternative rock bands in the world, and never fail to sell out arenas in Manchester when they perform here.
The group of brothers (plus one cousin) have headlined some of the world’s most iconic festivals, including Glastonbury, Coachella, and Lollapalooza, as well as reclaiming an all-time attendance record with a fifth night at Hyde Park in London last year.
Kings of Leon have been dominating charts for more than 20 years, ever since the release of their debut album Youth & Young Manhood in 2003.
They now have nine studio albums, including last year’s Can We Please Have Fun, which (as with all their albums so far) comfortably reached the top 10 of the UK Albums Chart.
The band is made up of Caleb, Nathan, Jared and Matthew Followill, and just last week they dropped an EP with four new songs.
Now, it’s another brief run of live shows for the UK, with Kings of Leon performing at Co-op Live in Manchester on Saturday 4 July 2026.
Tickets for Kings of Leon in Manchester will go on sale from 9am on Friday 21 November, and you can get yours HERE.
Pulp announce epic Live from Wythenshawe Park gig, with support from Self Esteem
Daisy Jackson
Pulp have been announced as the latest headliners of next year’s Live from Wythenshawe Park gig series – and they’re bringing a very special guest along to support.
The legendary Sheffield band will be joined by fellow Sheffielders Self Esteem for the outdoor summer show.
The news of Pulp’s epic gig in Wythenshawe Park follows a run of live reunion shows this year and the release of More, their first album in 24 years.
Jarvis Cocker, Candida Doyle, Nick Banks, Mark Webber, and their collaborators will bring their electric live show to Manchester in summer 2026.
This will be the only chance to see Pulp perform outdoors up north next year.
Their announcement concludes the line-up for Live from Wythenshawe Park, which now consists of The Cure, Lewis Capaldi, Courteeners, The Prodigy and Pulp across five nights in August.
Pulp have announced an epic Live from Wythenshawe Park gig, with support from Self Esteem
Founded in the late 1970s in Sheffield, Pulp have become one of Britain’s best-loved bands and proudest exports, from Common People and Disco 2000 to This Is Hardcore.
Pulp with be joined at Wythenshawe Park by Self Esteem, the critically-acclaimed fearless pop project of Rebecca Lucy Taylor.
Pulp will play Live From Wythenshawe Park on Friday 28 August 2026, with tickets going on general sale on Friday 21 November at 10am HERE.
There’s also a pre-sale live on Wednesday if you sign up HERE.
Live from Wythenshawe Park 2026 line-up
Friday 21 August – The Cure (Sold Out) Saturday 22 August – Lewis Capaldi (Sold Out) Friday 28 August – Pulp (Just Announced) Saturday 29 August – Courteeners (Sold Out) Sunday 30 August – The Prodigy (Last Remaining Tickets)
Daisy Jackson -
8th February 2022 
