ASM Global’s AO Arena in Manchester Unveils Dramatic Multimillion Dollar Three-Year Reimagination of Legendary Venue
27.4.2022 20:05:00 EEST | Business Wire | Press release
ASM Global, the world’s leading producer of entertainment experiences, venue management and event strategy, has announced a $63 million plan beginning this summer to transform the AO Arena in Manchester. This plan is set to dramatically enhance the venue’s premier position for live entertainment experiences through state-of-the-art infrastructure expansion and innovative guest features as the iconic arena looks to the future.
This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220427005883/en/
AO Arena, Manchester (Photo: Business Wire)
AO Arena in Manchester, located in the heart of the city, is one of the busiest indoor arenas in the world. Through its near 30-year history, the venue has firmly established itself as a beloved and iconic Manchester landmark, a must-play for artists, and a fan-favorite destination for world-class live entertainment. Officials from the AO Arena will be releasing more detailed plans in coming months.
Chris Bray, EVP Europe at ASM Global, said, “AO Arena is one of the world’s iconic venues and a much-loved part of Manchester’s rich culture and history. It has been delivering world-class entertainment experiences for over two decades. As we approach our 30th anniversary, this ambitious endeavor will not only reinforce its position as a leading destination for live entertainment but will extend its market leadership for ‘live’ and fan experiences for the next 30 years. We’re proud to be further investing into the heart of Manchester.
“The first phase will enhance and increase our standing floor capacity to share this historic arena with even more of our guests, and we will also be adding new hospitality lounges and investing in delivering an upgraded concourse experience. Our performers will be immersed in an all-new, back-of-house artists’ campus, unparalleled anywhere.”
Additional major developments include new arena entrances welcoming guests to the venue and new premium seating, which will transform the venue to an elevated experience.
AO Arena’s back-of-house campus dramatic upgrade will include a complete overhaul of the backstage experience for artists, production and crew. This includes new artist dressing rooms and production areas, a world-class green room with meet-and-greet facilities, an overhaul of crew catering, and first-class connectivity and technology.
Plans have already been jump started by the venue’s rapid scheduling of major sell-out 2022 events, including Billie Eilish, Dua Lipa, Diana Ross, Alicia Keys, Swedish House Mafia, Snoop Dogg, George Ezra and more.
Jen Mitchell, general manager at the AO Arena, said, “This is a really exciting time for AO Arena. Not only are we able to welcome guests back after a challenging two years with a program packed full of world-class acts and entertainment, now we can reveal the first phase of ASM Global’s plans for the arena’s redevelopment. This will enhance the experience for everyone who sets foot in the venue, including artists, production, crew and our staff who work so hard to make the magic happen right here in Manchester.”
Unveiled in 1995, the arena was the first indoor venue in the U.K. to be built with a layout of 360-degree seating. Attracting over 1 million visitors yearly, the 21,000-capacity arena is a winner of the Stadium Business Awards’ prestigious ‘Venue of the Year’ award. There has been a host of musical talent that has performed at the venue, from Led Zeppelin legends Jimmy Page and Robert Plant, The Rolling Stones and Pavarotti to Dua Lipa and Lady Gaga as well as Manchester’s homegrown artists including Take That, Oasis, Elbow, New Order and The Courteeners. The venue has hosted everything from the 2002 Commonwealth Games, 2008 FINA World Swimming Championships and international boxing bouts by Mike Tyson, Anthony Joshua, Tyson Fury, David Haye, Joe Calzaghe and local champions Ricky Hatton, Amir Khan and Anthony Crolla.
About ASM Global
ASM Global is the world’s leading producer of entertainment experiences. It is the global leader in venue and event strategy and management—delivering locally tailored solutions and cutting-edge technologies to achieve maximum results for venue owners. The company’s elite venue network spans five continents, with a portfolio of more than 350 of the world’s most prestigious arenas, stadiums, convention and exhibition centers, and performing arts venues. Connect with us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. asmglobal.com
To view this piece of content from cts.businesswire.com, please give your consent at the top of this page.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220427005883/en/
Contact information
Jim Yeager
breakwhitelight (for ASM Global)
jim@breakwhitelight.com
Mobile: 1-818-264-6812
About Business Wire
For more than 50 years, Business Wire has been the global leader in press release distribution and regulatory disclosure.
Subscribe to releases from Business Wire
Subscribe to all the latest releases from Business Wire by registering your e-mail address below. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Latest releases from Business Wire
NetApp Acquires DataPelago, Making Data AI-Ready at the Infrastructure Layer16.7.2026 19:30:00 EEST | Press release
NetApp® (NASDAQ: NTAP), the Intelligent Data Infrastructure company, today announced it has acquired DataPelago, a California-based AI data infrastructure company recognized for its innovative approach to eliminating data processing bottlenecks for AI and analytics workloads. The acquisition marks a foundational expansion of NetApp's portfolio, enabling GPU-accelerated data processing aligned directly with the storage layer. With this acquisition, NetApp establishes itself as the company that makes zero-copy activation of enterprise data for AI real. AI is the defining platform shift of our era, but enterprises are discovering that their greatest bottleneck is preparing, governing, and activating their data fast enough to put AI into production. The key to accomplishing this objective is to enable accelerated computing where the data is created and stored. DataPelago solves this challenge by fundamentally reimagining where accelerated compute happens: at the data layer, not above it. "
Visa Introduces Platform for Stablecoin Minting, Movement and Management16.7.2026 17:30:00 EEST | Press release
Today, Visa (NYSE: V) announced the Visa Stablecoin Platform (VSP), a new enterprise platform designed to help financial institutions, fintechs, and crypto natives access stablecoin capabilities through a single Visa-managed environment. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260716292689/en/ Building on Visa’s broader crypto strategy, VSP gives FIs, fintechs and other payment providers a simple way to access, store, and redeem stablecoins, beginning with Open USD (OUSD), a new stablecoin recently introduced by Open Standard. This includes onchain wallet infrastructure through a newly introduced Wallet-as-a-Service offering and connectivity for minting and burning Open USD. “Stablecoins are opening up a new layer of programmable money, but for most institutions the hard part isn’t the concept, it’s the operational reality,” said Jack Forestell, Chief Product and Strategy Officer, Visa. “With the Visa Stablecoin Platf
Andersen Consulting Adds Collaborating Firm Smartbridge16.7.2026 16:30:00 EEST | Press release
Andersen Consulting announces a Collaboration Agreement with Smartbridge, a Texas-based digital and AI technology firm, enhancing its capabilities in data and analytics, and digital transformation services. Founded in 2003, Smartbridge helps organizations accelerate their digital transformation and modernize operations through digital innovation, AI, data and analytics, and application modernization services. The firm works with clients in the oil and gas, medtech, and restaurant industries, combining advisory and technology services to enable enterprise transformation and growth. Leveraging strategic relationships with leading technology providers, Smartbridge helps organizations connect data, improve decision-making, and accelerate business outcomes. “Organizations today are looking to accelerate their digital and AI transformation and are searching for practical ways to translate innovation into measurable business value,” said Sri Raju, CEO of Smartbridge. “Our team focuses on help
Cyclic Materials Appoints Tomasz Poznar as Chief Commercial Officer to Accelerate Global Commercial Growth16.7.2026 16:20:00 EEST | Press release
Cyclic Materials, the rare earth recycling company building a circular supply chain for rare earth elements and critical materials, today announced the appointment of Tomasz Poznar, Ph.D., as Chief Commercial Officer. The appointment strengthens Cyclic Materials’ executive team as the company accelerates commercial expansion across North America, Europe, and Asia. Most recently, Poznar served as Chief Commercial Officer at Ascend Elements, where he led the company’s global commercial strategy, strategic partnerships, and business development. During his tenure, he helped secure more than USD $1.5 billion in commercial agreements, including a landmark USD $1 billion supply agreement with a major global automaker, while also supporting approximately USD $320 million in TCTF government funding that accelerated the company’s growth in North America and Europe. Prior to Ascend Elements, Poznar held leadership and engineering positions at A123 Systems, EnerDel, Delco Remy, and Volvo, where h
Modon Holding and Nammos Hotels & Resorts Bring Nammos Ras El Hekma to Egypt’s North Coast16.7.2026 15:50:00 EEST | Press release
Abu Dhabi-based Modon Holding and Nammos Hotels & Resorts have announced Nammos Ras El Hekma – the renowned lifestyle and hospitality brand’s first fully integrated destination in Egypt. Located within the Wadi Yemm precinct, the development will bring Ras El Hekma’s promise of timeless Mediterranean living to life, combining Nammos Residences, Nammos Resort, Nammos Village, and a curated selection of all-day dining and wellness experiences, including the globally renowned Nammos Restaurant & Beach Club. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260716740934/en/ Modon Holding and Nammos Hotels & Resorts bring Nammos Ras El Hekma to Egypt’s North Coast (Photo: AETOSWire) Nammos Ras El Hekma represents a new expression of contemporary Mediterranean luxury. Reflecting both the natural beauty of Egypt’s North Coast and the refined yet vibrant lifestyle associated with Nammos, the destination introduces a lifestyle concept i
In our pressroom you can read all our latest releases, find our press contacts, images, documents and other relevant information about us.
Visit our pressroom