The O2 Arena

The O2 Arena
source
Stadium name	The O2 Arena
Caption	The O2 Arena in London
Location	Peninsula Square, London, England
Broke ground	2003
Opened	2007
Owner	Anschutz Entertainment Group
Operator	Anschutz Entertainment Group
Surface	Multi-surface
Construction cost	£350 million
Architect	HOK Sport
Main contractors	Bovis Lend Lease
Tenants	National Basketball Association games, National Hockey League games, ATP Finals

The O2 Arena is a multi-purpose indoor arena located in Peninsula Square, London, England, within the The O2 complex, which also features the Up at The O2 attraction, the Indigo at The O2 nightclub, and the Meridian Line energy company's offices. The arena is owned and operated by Anschutz Entertainment Group, a subsidiary of The Anschutz Corporation, founded by Philip Anschutz. The O2 Arena has hosted numerous high-profile events, including concerts by Adele, Beyoncé, and Kanye West, as well as sports events like the 2012 Summer Olympics and 2012 Summer Paralympics, which featured athletes from United States, China, and Great Britain. The arena has also been used for Mixed Martial Arts events, such as UFC 138, featuring fighters like Chris Leben and Mark Munoz, and has been visited by notable figures like Barack Obama, David Cameron, and Boris Johnson.

History

The O2 Arena was built on the site of the former Millennium Dome, which was constructed for the Millennium Experience exhibition in 2000, featuring exhibits from BBC, British Airways, and Manpower Inc.. The dome was designed by Richard Rogers Partnership and engineered by Buro Happold, with Tony Blair and Peter Mandelson playing key roles in its development. After the exhibition closed, the site was redeveloped by Anschutz Entertainment Group and Meridian Delta Ltd, a joint venture between Meridian Delta and Lend Lease, with Arup serving as the structural engineer. The O2 Arena was officially opened on June 24, 2007, with a concert by Bon Jovi, followed by performances by Justin Timberlake, The Rolling Stones, and Elton John, who have all performed at the arena multiple times, along with other notable artists like Lady Gaga, Taylor Swift, and Katy Perry.

Design and Construction

The O2 Arena was designed by HOK Sport, a sports architecture firm that has also designed venues like Wembley Stadium, Arsenal Stadium, and Twickenham Stadium, in collaboration with Buro Happold and Arup. The arena's design features a distinctive tensile structure roof, which was engineered by Buro Happold and constructed by Pfeifer Seil- und Hebetechnik, with Cimolai providing the steel framework. The arena's seating bowl was designed to be highly flexible, with a retractable seating system that allows for a variety of configurations, from basketball and hockey to concerts and mixed martial arts events, which have featured fighters from UFC, Bellator MMA, and ONE Championship. The arena's construction was managed by Bovis Lend Lease, with Laing O'Rourke serving as the main contractor, and Mace providing project management services.

Facilities and Events

The O2 Arena features a range of facilities, including a concert stage, a basketball court, and a hockey rink, which have hosted events like the NBA Global Games London, featuring teams like the Boston Celtics and Philadelphia 76ers, and the NHL Challenge, featuring teams like the Los Angeles Kings and Anaheim Ducks. The arena has also hosted mixed martial arts events, such as UFC 204, featuring fighters like Michael Bisping and Dan Henderson, and boxing events, like the Anthony Joshua vs. Wladimir Klitschko fight, which was promoted by Matchroom Boxing and K2 Promotions. The arena has a range of premium facilities, including luxury suites and hospitality lounges, which offer catering services from Ruth's Chris Steak House and Gordon Ramsay's The Savoy Grill. The O2 Arena has also been used for corporate events, such as the Apple Inc. launch of the iPhone 4S, and has been visited by notable figures like Elon Musk, Richard Branson, and Bill Gates.

Location and Transport

The O2 Arena is located in Peninsula Square, London, England, on the Greenwich Peninsula, which is also home to the University of Greenwich and the Ravensbourne University London. The arena is situated near the River Thames, with Canary Wharf and The Shard visible from the arena's exterior. The O2 Arena is well-connected to London's transport network, with North Greenwich tube station providing direct access to the Jubilee line, which connects to Bond Street, Oxford Circus, and Waterloo station. The arena is also served by London Bus routes, including the 108 bus and the 129 bus, which connect to Stratford and Lewisham. The O2 Arena is within walking distance of the Emirates Air Line, a cable car system that connects to Royal Victoria Dock and ExCeL London.

Seating and Attendance

The O2 Arena has a seating capacity of up to 20,000, depending on the event configuration, with retractable seating and floor seating options available. The arena has hosted numerous sold-out events, including concerts by Adele, Beyoncé, and Kanye West, as well as sports events like the 2012 Summer Olympics and 2012 Summer Paralympics, which featured athletes from United States, China, and Great Britain. The arena has also been used for mixed martial arts events, such as UFC 138, featuring fighters like Chris Leben and Mark Munoz, and has been visited by notable figures like Barack Obama, David Cameron, and Boris Johnson. The O2 Arena has won numerous awards, including the Pollstar International Venue of the Year award, which has also been won by venues like Madison Square Garden and The Forum. Category:Indoor arenas in the United Kingdom