People are being given a first look inside Britain’s biggest indoor arena this week – with new images being shared of the upcoming £350m Manchester venue.
The 23,500 capacity stadium is being built in the Eastlands area – with developers Oak View Group striking a 15-year sponsorship deal to name the venue Co-Op Live.
Hosting live music, comedy, sport, and various other types of entertainment, Co-Op Live will feature a “smart bowl” design with 32 bars, lounges, restaurants, food markets, suites and club spaces inside.
New footage offers a first glimpse of what the venue will look like.
Check out never-seen-before footage of what Co-op Live will look like once it opens in 2023.
32 bars, lounges, restaurants, suites and club spaces will be inside the arena / Image: Co-Op Live
Co-Op says the new arena will be the “envy across Europe” and the “one stop every musician will look forward to when touring”.
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The company also has plans to make the venue the “most socially responsible” in the continent – tying in with Manchester’s zero carbon agenda.
Co-Op Live is expected to generate around £1m each year for Co-op Foundation causes.
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Singer-songwriter Harry Styles has also invested in the project, citing the “contribution it will make to the city, and most importantly, that it will allow even more live music to thrive in Manchester.”
The £350m venue is set to open in 2023 / Image: Co-Op Live
Construction of the venue has generated controversy, however, with critics arguing the city will be unable to sustain a second large-scale performance venue.
ASM Global, operators of the existing AO Arena by Victoria Station, denounced the approval of Co-Op Live, claiming there was “compelling evidence [which] shows there is simply no market for a second major arena in Manchester”, with the venue set to “pull visitors, footfall and spend away from the city centre.”
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More than 580 objections were also raised in a public consultation.
But Oak View Group have said Co-Op Live will cater for a different crowd, and that over 20 years the two arenas will generate up to £1.5 billion for the UK economy.
The AO Arena also announced its own redevelopment plans last year – looking at ways to expand capacity to 24,000 and thus take the title of ‘biggest indoor arena in UK’ itself.
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AO Arena to host huge Europa League Final fan zone after Manchester United victory
Daisy Jackson
Manchester’s legendary AO Arena will once again host an almighty football fan zone later this year, welcoming in fans for the Europa League Final.
The huge venue previously hosted a Road to Victory fan zone for the Euros, and is now ready to replicate all the atmosphere and excitement of the beautiful game once again.
This time it’s in honour of Manchester United, who romped their way into the Europa League Final this evening with a spectacular 4-1 victory.
The Red Devils will be heading to San Mamés in Bilbao in Spain on 21 May 2025, and you’ll be able to watch all the action right here at home in Manchester.
The AO Arena Europa League Final Screening & Fan Zone will be presented by Red Square.
There’ll be space for thousands upon thousands of football fans who’ll be able to watch United (hopefully) take home a nice bit of silverwear.
And, of course, a spot in the UEFA Champions League.
The event says: “Get ready to immerse yourself in the electrifying atmosphere of the Europa Cup Final, presented by Red Square.
“Join us for an unforgettable event as we bring together passionate Manchester United fans for the largest indoor fan park extravaganza ever witnessed!
“MANCHESTER UNITED head to the Europa league final on Wednesday 21st May – Secure your tickets now!”
The Europa League Final Screening & Fan Zone will be at the AO Arena on 21 May – grab your spot HERE.
Lorde to play massive Manchester gig later this year as part of world tour
Emily Sergeant
Lorde has announced she’s heading out on a massive world tour later this year, and of course she’s stopping off in Manchester.
The New Zealand-born singer-songwriter undeniably burst onto the music scene at the tender age of 16 with her runaway number one hit ‘Royals’ all the way back in 2013, and has been successfully cementing herself as a household name ever since.
Following her debut single, she has gone on to break several records with the releases of her first three studio albums.
She has also scooped up a handful of GRAMMYs and BRIT awards along the way.
Lorde is set to play a massive Manchester gig at the AO Arena later this year / Credit: Supplied
The 28-year-old – who is known and loved for her unconventional style of pop music and introspective songwriting – has recently delighted fans by confirming that she’ll be releasing her fourth studio album, titled Virgin, towards the end of next month, and not long after that highly-anticipated release is when you’ll be able to catch her taking to one of Manchester‘s biggest stages.
Fans of the critically-acclaimed pop star will be able to grab tickets to see Lorde when she performs at Manchester’s AO Arena on Saturday 15 November 2025 as part of the Ultrasound Tour.
Other major UK cities she’ll be stopping off at include London, Birmingham, and Glasgow – making this a somewhat exclusive ticket to get your hands on.
Tickets are set to go on general sale next week, following several pre-sales in the days leading up to it.
Support for Lorde’s Manchester gig is to come from equally-revered singer-songwriter and record producer, Dev Hynes – better known by his stage name, Blood Orange – who is believed to have lent several co-production credits to Lorde’s upcoming fourth studio album.
Fellow producer Jim-E Stack will also provide support in Manchester.
Lorde will be taking to the AO Arena stage here in Manchester on Saturday 15 November, and tickets officially go on general sale next Friday 16 May at 10am.
General sale follows two pre-sales – a Three+ Presale on Wednesday 14 May, followed by an AO Arena-specific Presale on Thursday 15 May, both going on sale again at 10am.
Find out more and get tickets when they go on sale here.
The Manc -
20th July 2021 
