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Construction Begins for Two New UK Arenas

Cardiff and Bristol are both expecting major entertainment venues to open in 2028

Construction has begun on two arenas across the United Kingdom: in Bristol, the 19,500-capacity YTL Arena; and in the Welsh capital of Cardiff, the 16,500-capacity Cardiff Arena. Both are expected to open in 2028.

The arenas:

  • YTL Arena is being built on the site of a Bristol hangar where the iconic Concorde aircraft was first constructed.

  • The venue will host acts across music, comedy, sports, and entertainment.

  • YTL intends to be 100% carbon neutral “from day one.”

  • Cardiff Arena is being developed by Cardiff Council with support from Live Nation and real estate company Robertson Property.

What they said:

  • Andrew Billingham, Chief Executive of YTL Arena: "To see the hangar stripped back to its original structure is both a striking reminder of its long history and a powerful signal of its future as a world-class arena. Every stage of dismantling brings us closer to welcoming A-list artists and their fans through the doors."

  • Declan Sharkey, Senior Principal at Populous: “We are delighted to continue our longstanding relationship with Live Nation on this project to create this new, world-class arena for Cardiff. Live Nation has a truly inspiring vision for the future of the music and entertainment industry, focused on the creation of sustainable venues that are authentic to the communities they sit within, and those values are exemplified within the Cardiff Arena project. Our design will deliver an elite arena that will become the venue of choice for the South Wales region, for both spectators and performers alike."

Construction has begun on two arenas across the United Kingdom: in Bristol, the 19,500-capacity YTL Arena; and in the Welsh capital of Cardiff, the 16,500-capacity Cardiff Arena. Both are expected to open in 2028.

The arenas:

  • YTL Arena is being built on the site of a Bristol hangar where the iconic Concorde aircraft was first constructed.

  • The venue will host acts across music, comedy, sports, and entertainment.

  • YTL intends to be 100% carbon neutral “from day one.”

  • Cardiff Arena is being developed by Cardiff Council with support from Live Nation and real estate company Robertson Property.

What they said:

  • Andrew Billingham, Chief Executive of YTL Arena: "To see the hangar stripped back to its original structure is both a striking reminder of its long history and a powerful signal of its future as a world-class arena. Every stage of dismantling brings us closer to welcoming A-list artists and their fans through the doors."

  • Declan Sharkey, Senior Principal at Populous: “We are delighted to continue our longstanding relationship with Live Nation on this project to create this new, world-class arena for Cardiff. Live Nation has a truly inspiring vision for the future of the music and entertainment industry, focused on the creation of sustainable venues that are authentic to the communities they sit within, and those values are exemplified within the Cardiff Arena project. Our design will deliver an elite arena that will become the venue of choice for the South Wales region, for both spectators and performers alike."

Construction has begun on two arenas across the United Kingdom: in Bristol, the 19,500-capacity YTL Arena; and in the Welsh capital of Cardiff, the 16,500-capacity Cardiff Arena. Both are expected to open in 2028.

The arenas:

  • YTL Arena is being built on the site of a Bristol hangar where the iconic Concorde aircraft was first constructed.

  • The venue will host acts across music, comedy, sports, and entertainment.

  • YTL intends to be 100% carbon neutral “from day one.”

  • Cardiff Arena is being developed by Cardiff Council with support from Live Nation and real estate company Robertson Property.

What they said:

  • Andrew Billingham, Chief Executive of YTL Arena: "To see the hangar stripped back to its original structure is both a striking reminder of its long history and a powerful signal of its future as a world-class arena. Every stage of dismantling brings us closer to welcoming A-list artists and their fans through the doors."

  • Declan Sharkey, Senior Principal at Populous: “We are delighted to continue our longstanding relationship with Live Nation on this project to create this new, world-class arena for Cardiff. Live Nation has a truly inspiring vision for the future of the music and entertainment industry, focused on the creation of sustainable venues that are authentic to the communities they sit within, and those values are exemplified within the Cardiff Arena project. Our design will deliver an elite arena that will become the venue of choice for the South Wales region, for both spectators and performers alike."

👋 Disclosures & Transparency Block
  • This article was written with information sourced from IQ Magazine and BBC.

  • We covered it because of Live Nation’s involvement, and because these venues will have a significant impact on the UK live music market.

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