Oak View Group (OVG) has chosen Royal BAM Group (BAM) as its construction partner and Populous as the principal architect and designer for a new 23,500-capacity indoor arena in Manchester, UK.

Bringing £350m private direct investment into the city and a huge economic benefit, the project will be the largest arena in the UK once completed.

Last week, OVG had submitted plans for the arena to be constructed in the Eastlands area of Manchester.

BAM has constructed stadiums across the world. It has built the City Football Academy, the National Graphene Institute and the Co-Operative Group HQ.

Populous has helped OVG place inclusivity, safety and sustainability at the core of its design plans for the new arena.

Once completed, the new arena is expected to provide best-in-class artist-fan experience in Europe and will be equipped to host several event types such as music, sport and entertainment.

How well do you really know your competitors?

Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.

Company Profile – free sample

Thank you!

Your download email will arrive shortly

Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample

We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form

By GlobalData
Visit our Privacy Policy for more information about our services, how we may use, process and share your personal data, including information of your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.

Apart from BAM and Populous, BuroHappold, ME Engineers, Vanguardia, Turner & Townsend and Deloitte will form part of the arena project team.

Oak View Group co-founder and chief executive Tim Leiweke said: “While we are living in uncertain times, we know that Manchester and its people are resilient. And we look forward to being intrinsic to the redevelopment of the east of the city, working in close partnership with local people who are the most important part of this project. Manchester is a thriving and vibrant city and along with BAM, Populous and our other incredible partners, we are excited about a new addition to its entertainment scene in the coming months.”

Approximately 3,350 jobs will be created during the construction phase and more than 1,000 once opened.

BAM regional director for the North West Ian Fleming said: “Having built some of this incredible city’s most important and recognisable structures, BAM is a perfect fit for the scale and quality of the scheme.”

Populous senior principal and project architect Declan Sharkey said: ‘This ground-breaking venue will set new benchmarks in sustainable arena design, as well as creating an experience and form that sits perfectly within Manchester’s architectural context and vibrant community. We are delighted to be working with Oak View Group on its exciting vision for East Manchester.’

The project is subject to planning approval and is scheduled to be built in three years. The first events are planned to be held in 2023.