AO Arena

Opened in 1995, it has hosted some of the biggest names in live entertainment including U2, The Rolling Stones, Prince, Madonna, Lady Gaga, Pavarotti, and the record-breaking residency by local comedian Peter Kay. Big UK sporting events at the Arena have included the 2002 Commonwealth Games, 2012 Olympic basketball warm-up matches between team USA and GB, the 2008 FINA World Swimming Championships, and international boxing matches including Mike Tyson, David Haye, Joe Calzaghe plus local champions Ricky Hatton, Amir Khan and Anthony Crolla. Showcasing Manchester's rich musical heritage bands like Take That, Oasis, Elbow, New Order, James, Happy Mondays, The Charlatans, Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds, M People, Doves, Inspiral Carpets, The Verve, Simply Red and The Courteeners have also hit the famous stage. Attracting over one million visitors each year, the 21,000-capacity Arena is a former winner of the industry's prestigious International Venue of the Year award. In 2020, North-West-based online electricals retailer AO became the Arena's first headline sponsor amplifying the guest experience with surprise and delight activations on the concourse.