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
Xceedance Named a Leader and Star Performer in Everest Group’s Insurance Intermediaries Operations PEAK Matrix ® Assessment 202620.10.2026 17:00:00 EEST | Press release
Xceedance today announced it has been named a Leader and Star Performer in the Everest Group Insurance Intermediaries Operations PEAK Matrix® Assessment 2026. The assessment evaluated 18 providers based on market impact and their vision and capability to deliver insurance intermediary operations services. Everest Group identified Xceedance’s support for MGAs and MGUs across entity setup and licensing, underwriting, policy administration, finance, analytics, and claims as a key strength. The report also highlighted enabling rapid program launches and scaling through a licensed MGA shell, configurable workflows, and integrated operations. “Xceedance brings deep insurance expertise and a growing breadth of capabilities to support MGAs, brokers, and Lloyd’s market participants,” said Dinesh Udawat, Practice Director, Everest Group. “Its strategic acquisitions have expanded its agent and broker capabilities, while continued investments in AI and insurance-specific technology are enabling mo
92% of Compliance Leaders Want External Certification on AI Agents. None Exists for On-Chain Risk. Elliptic Just Built It, for Free.20.10.2026 17:00:00 EEST | Press release
Elliptic, the leader in on-chain risk management, today launched the first certification in governing AI agents for on-chain risk and financial crime compliance from the Elliptic Institute. The Certified Agentic On-Chain Risk Practitioner (CAORP) Foundation Level is free and open to anyone in the industry. The certification follows new Elliptic research in which 92% of senior risk, compliance and financial crime professionals said they would consider sending staff for external certification in agentic AI risk governance. The global research1 found a wide gap between that appetite and teams' current capability. Only 16% of respondents said they were very confident their team has the skills to govern an AI agent today, while 38% said they were not confident at all or had no capability yet. Nearly a third (31%) expect to send staff for certification within the next 12 months. The demand for training has arrived well ahead of anywhere to get it. The timing isn't optional. The EU AI Act now
Andersen Consulting Adds Collaborating Firm in Uzbekistan20.10.2026 16:30:00 EEST | Press release
Andersen Consulting expands its cybersecurity and business transformation capabilities through a Collaboration Agreement with Algoruni, a consulting firm based in Uzbekistan. Algoruni advises organizations on building cyber resilience, while addressing broader management, regulatory, and sustainability priorities. Operating out of Tashkent, the firm’s services span cybersecurity strategy and data protection, corporate governance and operational improvement, and ESG strategy and reporting, with an emphasis on practical solutions tailored to each client’s circumstances. “Every organization faces a different combination of risks and opportunities, which is why we believe effective solutions must start with the realities of the business,” said Alisher Zaynutdinov, managing director of Algoruni. “Becoming a collaborating firm of Andersen Consulting allows us to pair this approach with broader international resources and perspectives, giving us new ways to help clients turn complex challenge
International AI Strategist and Author Katie King to Keynote IAMPHENOM Europe 202620.10.2026 16:30:00 EEST | Press release
Phenom, the leader in applied AI built to redesign work operations for hiring faster, developing better and retaining longer, announced Katie King, an internationally recognised AI strategist, author and adviser on the future of work, as a keynote speaker at IAMPHENOM Europe 2026, taking place 4-5 November in Paris, France. Phenom also unveiled the conference agenda, which centres on the decisions European HR leaders face right now: turning AI, agents and automation into business outcomes, deploying tech with a compliant-first approach, and redesigning roles and skills for the future workforce. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20261020028392/en/ Phenom announced Katie King, an internationally recognised AI strategist, author and adviser on the future of work, as a keynote speaker at IAMPHENOM Europe 2026, taking place 4-5 November in Paris, France. Phenom also unveiled the conference agenda, which centres on the
Inaugural Future Health Impact Challenge Documentary Released as Expressions of Interest Open for Second Challenge20.10.2026 16:26:00 EEST | Press release
Future Health – A Global Initiative by Abu Dhabi today premiered a documentary film about the inaugural Future Health Impact Challenge during the first day of the Abu Dhabi Future Health Summit. The film’s global launch, alongside the announcement of the second Challenge connects the Challenge’s initial results with its next phase with Expressions of Interest now open for the second edition. Delivered in collaboration with MIT Solve, the inaugural Impact Challenge demonstrates the transformative power of innovative solutions that accelerate the shift from reactive to anticipatory healthcare systems. With scenes filmed in Kigali, Medellín, São Paulo, Boston, and Abu Dhabi, the film shares personal commentary from the founders, local perspectives of the solutions in action, and insight from Future Health and MIT Solve. It follows the winner and two distinguished finalists as they turn signals from frontline consultations, mosquito surveillance, and routine blood tests into information th
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