3Arena

3Arena
Name	3Arena
Location	Dublin, Ireland
Opened	1988 (as Point Theatre); 2008 (reopened as O2); 2014 (renamed 3Arena)
Capacity	13,000
Owner	Oak View Group / Live Nation Ireland (operator)

3Arena The 3Arena is a multi-purpose indoor arena on the North Wall Quay of the River Liffey in Dublin, Ireland. Originally opened as the Point Theatre in 1988, the venue has hosted concerts, sporting exhibitions, televised events, and cultural gatherings featuring international and Irish performers. Its stage has welcomed artists from across genres including pop, rock, classical, and comedy, and it forms a central part of Dublin's entertainment infrastructure near the Docklands and Dublin Port.

History

The site began as the Point Theatre, established during the tenure of Charles Haughey's political era and developed amid urban regeneration projects adjacent to Custom House and International Financial Services Centre. The Point Theatre hosted events such as the Eurovision Song Contest 1988 and concerts by artists like Prince, Bruce Springsteen, Madonna, and U2. In the early 2000s the venue closed for major redevelopment led by investment from entities including Oak View Group partners and venue operators connected to AEG Presents and Live Nation Entertainment. Reopened in 2008 under a naming agreement with O2 and later rebranded in 2014 following a sponsorship deal with Three Ireland, the arena replaced older Dublin sites such as SSE Arena in terms of city centre capacity and mirrored trends seen at venues like The O2 and Madison Square Garden. Over time it played a role in Dublin's concert circuit alongside Aviva Stadium, Croke Park, and Royal Hospital Kilmainham events.

Facilities and Design

The arena's bowl design accommodates standing and seating configurations to host audiences up to around 13,000, with sightlines intended for tours by acts such as Taylor Swift, Beyoncé, The Rolling Stones, Coldplay, and Adele. Architectural and acoustic upgrades drew on expertise comparable to projects at Wembley Stadium, Barclays Center, and Staples Center (now Crypto.com Arena), focusing on rigging capacity, stage load-in, and broadcast facilities for partnerships with broadcasters like RTÉ, BBC Television, and Sky UK. Backstage areas support large-scale productions with dressing rooms used by ensembles from Cirque du Soleil and orchestras like the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. Accessibility provisions reflect standards applied at venues such as Sydney Opera House, Lincoln Center, and Royal Albert Hall.

Events and Performances

Programming spans concerts by international artists—Paul McCartney, Kylie Minogue, Ed Sheeran, Lady Gaga, Rihanna, Kendrick Lamar, Drake, Iron Maiden, Metallica, Eminem, and Nicki Minaj—to televised events including national finals and celebrity television specials similar to The X Factor (UK TV series). The arena has hosted comedy tours by performers like Dave Chappelle and Ricky Gervais, sports entertainment exhibitions linked to organizations such as WWE and boxing cards featuring fighters akin to Conor McGregor events, while corporate functions mirror conferences held at The Convention Centre Dublin. Charity concerts and festivals have involved groups like Band Aid-style ensembles and benefit appearances by U2 members. Seasonal programming often aligns with cultural celebrations promoted by entities like Dublin City Council and tourism efforts by Fáilte Ireland.

Ownership and Management

Ownership and operational arrangements have included partnerships among live entertainment companies such as Live Nation Entertainment, AEG Presents, and investors connected to Oak View Group. Naming rights agreements have linked the venue to telecommunications firms O2 and Three Ireland, while management teams liaise with local authorities including Dublin City Council and regulatory bodies like the Commission for Communications Regulation. Artist bookings coordinate with international promoters and agencies such as William Morris Endeavor and Creative Artists Agency to secure tours and residencies similar to arrangements at Radio City Music Hall or Olympia London.

Transport and Access

Situated on North Wall Quay near Samuel Beckett Bridge, the arena is served by Dublin transport hubs including Dublin Connolly station, Dublin Docklands, and bus routes operated by Dublin Bus. Light rail access via Luas (tram) lines and nearby stations provides links comparable to connections at Jubilee line nodes in London, and river proximity connects to amenities at North Wall Quay and footpaths toward Temple Bar. Parking, cycling facilities, and pedestrian routes coordinate with city planning by Dublin City Council and traffic management tied to events at Croke Park and Aviva Stadium.

Notable Incidents and Milestones

Milestones include hosting the Eurovision Song Contest 1994-era national selections, sell-out tours by artists like Michael Jackson, headline nights that set attendance records in Ireland comparable to those at Thomond Park, and broadcast productions collaborating with RTÉ and BBC Radio 1. Incidents over the years have prompted safety reviews involving emergency services such as the Health Service Executive (Ireland) and Garda Síochána, and the venue has featured in media coverage alongside events at Dublin Castle and Phoenix Park.

Category:Music venues in Dublin (city) Category:Indoor arenas in the Republic of Ireland