The O2 (venue)

The O2 (venue)
Name	The O2
Location	Greenwich Peninsula, London
Opened	2007
Owner	AEG Presents; Anschutz Entertainment Group
Operator	Arena London
Capacity	20,000

The O2 (venue) The O2 is a large multi-purpose arena on the Greenwich Peninsula in London, opened in 2007 as part of the redevelopment of the Millennium Dome. It serves as a major site for concerts, exhibitions, sporting events and entertainment, hosting international artists, touring productions and televised events while being integrated with venues such as ExCeL London and transport nodes like North Greenwich tube station. The arena has hosted artists associated with Live Nation, AEG Presents, and broadcasters including BBC and ITV.

History

The venue originated from the transformation of the Millennium Dome project, conceived during the tenure of the John Major and Tony Blair administrations and debated in context with the Millennium Commission and cultural policy reviews. Following proposals involving firms like Foster and Partners and developers such as Capco and Standard Life Investments, the site underwent redevelopment with financing linked to corporations including AEG, Anschutz Entertainment Group, and investment vehicles tied to Merrill Lynch and Goldman Sachs. Opening events featured performers connected to Madonna, The Rolling Stones, U2, and productions promoted in partnership with promoters like Clear Channel Entertainment and broadcasters such as BBC Radio 1. Over time the arena has been the venue for shows promoted by Warner Music Group, festivals related to Reading Festival lineage, and televised sports linked to organizations like Matchroom Sport and WWE.

Architecture and design

The arena's redevelopment involved architects and engineers who had worked on projects such as Millennium Stadium, Wembley Stadium, and schemes by Norman Foster and Populous. The structure sits beneath the iconic dome designed with a tensile fabric roof reminiscent of large-span projects like the Sydney Opera House in ambition and the O2 Arena (building) silhouette; the design incorporated techniques employed by firms experienced with Buro Happold and Arup. Acoustical treatments referenced consultants who previously worked on Royal Albert Hall refurbishments and sought to balance reverberation for acts from Adele to Paul McCartney while accommodating staging standards used by productions from Cirque du Soleil and Disney Theatrical Group.

Facilities and venue layout

The arena comprises a main bowl with capacity comparable to venues such as Madison Square Garden and Staples Center, private hospitality suites akin to those at Allianz Arena, and conference spaces used by corporations like Google and Microsoft for product launches. Ancillary facilities include exhibition halls used for trade shows similar to London Fashion Week events, catering operations with contractors associated with Compass Group, and retail and leisure outlets connected to brands like Virgin Atlantic and Ticketmaster. The site integrates hospitality arenas used by sports teams like Arsenal F.C. for corporate events and has back-of-house infrastructure supporting touring productions from promoters such as AEG Live and Live Nation UK.

Events and performances

The venue has hosted concerts by artists including Beyoncé, Coldplay, Kanye West, Drake (musician), Taylor Swift, Ed Sheeran, Rihanna, Elton John, Madonna, Metallica, Bruce Springsteen, Kendrick Lamar, Billie Eilish, Adele, Paul McCartney, Queen (band), and The Rolling Stones. It has been a stage for residencies similar in profile to those at Caesars Palace, televised award ceremonies associated with BRIT Awards and MTV Europe Music Awards, and sporting events promoted by Boxing federations, UFC, and NBA Europe Live. The arena has also hosted theatrical productions linked to Andrew Lloyd Webber enterprises, family shows from Disney On Ice, and esports tournaments involving organizations such as ESL and Fnatic.

Transportation and access

The arena is served by North Greenwich tube station on the Jubilee line, river services at Greenwich Pier linking to Canary Wharf and London Bridge, and road access via the Blackwall Tunnel and A102 road. Parking and coach operations coordinate with transportation firms that manage flows similar to those for Wembley Central events, while nearby cycle routes connect with Thames Path segments. Integration with ticketing and crowd management uses systems akin to those employed by Transport for London and event logistics providers such as Serco.

Ownership and management

Ownership and management involve corporate entities in the live entertainment sector, including AEG Presents and investors with ties to The Anschutz Corporation and investment banks like Barclays and Deutsche Bank. Operational partnerships have included venue operators experienced with arenas like Manchester Arena and consultancy from firms such as SMG and ASM Global. Booking and promotion often involve promoters and agents from Live Nation, William Morris Endeavor, and CAA (agency), while broadcast partnerships have included BBC and Sky Sports.

Category:Music venues in London