New 20,000-capacity venue to open in Bristol in 2028, Aviva Arena
The arena will become one of the biggest in the country, hosting 120 "major" events every year
Details around Bristol’s new 20,000-capacity have been revealed, six years after it was first announced.
The venue, now named Aviva Arena, is expected to open in 2028 at Filton Airfield, formerly a private airport where the Concorde supersonic jets were first built.
Plans for the new major venue were made public in 2020 after being approved, initially set to be named YTL Arena Bristol. Developers originally planned for the venue to open in 2023.
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YTL Live, the operating company for the new “live entertainment complex”, revealed the venue’s new name and sponsor yesterday (February 19), pledging that it will contribute an estimated £1 billion to the local economy in its first 10 years.
The company also said that it hopes to create 2,000 jobs during its construction, and a further 500 “permanent roles” once it opens at the end of 2028, hosting 120 "major" events every year.
“The arena will become a platform for local talent to grow, thrive, and shine,” says YTL Live CEO, Andrew Billingham. “We are already exploring ways to support emerging artists who are building their audience and fanbases.”
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“Our aim is clear: to ensure that Aviva Arena contributes positively and sustainably to the entire live music landscape, from emerging talent to headline artists.”
Aviva Arena will be one of the largest music venues in the country once open. Last year, the group behind the complex said that it planned to up its capacity from 19,000 to 20,000, though initial plans predicted it could fit 17,000 people.
The venue is also said to be a “first-of-its-kind” for the South West of England, transforming the Brabazon Hangars into a supersized live music and sport venue, which will also feature an exhibition space and food court areas.
Check out some architectural renders of the planned venue below.
Gemma Ross is Mixmag’s Associate Digital Editor, follow her on X
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