O2 Arena, officially named The O2, is a multi-purpose indoor arena located in London, United Kingdom. Mostly used for music concerts, it also hosts a variety of entertainment events, including sports and is owned by the Anschutz Entertainment Group.
Opened on 24 June 2007 with a concert by Bon Jovi, it replaced the former Millennium Dome, a large exhibition venue. The seating capacity of the O2 Arena is currently set at 20,000 for concerts and 17,500 for sporting events. The arena was designed by Populous (formerly HOK Sport) and had a construction cost of £789 million.
A category four indoor arena and one of the biggest indoor arenas by capacity in Europe (the biggest in the UK), the O2 Arena has hosted a vast number of high-profile events. It has been the venue for the ATP Tour Finals since 2009, the 2012 and 2018 Olympic Games gymnastics events, and the 2019 Netball World Cup. It was also the location for the 2017 and 2021 finals of the World Darts Championship. The arena was voted the World's Best Venue by Pollstar in 2009 and has welcomed more than 60 million visitors since its opening.
Not only a venue for sports and concerts, the O2 Arena also houses a cinema, exhibition space, and numerous restaurants and bars. It is a significant contribution to London's entertainment scene and continues to be a popular destination for locals and tourists alike.
While the previous Millennium Dome was also officially named the 'Millennium Dome', both the old and the new buildings are invariably referred to by their unofficial name, O2 Arena. The O2 Arena is the name of the entertainment complex the arena is built within, located in the peninsula of Greenwich, which itself derives its name from the sponsor, O2 telecommunications. This unofficial name caught on soon after the original arena's construction; the people of London used to simply call it O2. Therefore, the arena's common name became 'O2 Arena', which is usually referred to simply as 'O2'. This translation, however, could be argued to be inaccurate, since O2 refers not to the chemical symbol for oxygen but to the original sponsor of the arena: O2 telecommunications.
The O2 Arena was initially constructed in celebration of the new millennium, hence its first name, the 'Millennium Dome'. After the millennium celebrations, the dome was left vacant and went through a series of proposed uses. It was not until 2005 that the structure was bought by the Anschutz Entertainment Group (AEG) and renamed as the O2 Arena following a sponsorship deal with O2 telecommunications. The O2 Arena opened in 2007 and has since become a landmark for entertainment in London. It has hosted numerous high-profile events, including the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, world title boxing matches, and concerts by globally renowned artists.
The O2 Arena is not just known for its events but also for its unique architecture. The iconic white dome, which is one of the largest of its kind in the world, is visible from miles away. Inside, the arena can hold up to 20,000 spectators, making it one of the largest indoor arenas in Europe. It also boasts a state-of-the-art sound system and has been praised for its acoustics. In addition to the main arena, the O2 complex includes a smaller music venue, a cinema, an exhibition space, and a variety of bars, restaurants, and retail outlets.
From its beginnings as a symbol of the new millennium to its current status as a world-class entertainment venue, the O2 Arena's history is as diverse as the events it hosts. Despite the changes in its name and purpose, the O2 Arena remains a significant part of London's cultural landscape, consistently attracting millions of visitors each year.
The O2 Arena is located on the Greenwich Peninsula in South East London. It is a multi-purpose indoor arena that is one of the largest of its kind in the UK. Originally referred to as the 'Millennium Dome', it was later rebranded as the O2 Arena in 2007 after its primary sponsor.
Ownership of the O2 Arena is held by English Partnerships, a governmental body, but the structure is leased to Anschutz Entertainment Group (AEG) who operate the venue. The initial plans for a large dome structure in the area were drawn up in the mid-1990s under the government of John Major.
The construction of the O2 Arena was a monumental task, driven by the vision of AEG's president and CEO, Tim Leiweke. Funding for the project came from a variety of sources, including private investment, sponsorship deals, and government grants. There was even a 'steel campaign', in which large amounts of steel were donated to the project.
Work on the O2 Arena officially began on 1 June 2003. After four years of construction and at a cost of £600 million, the O2 Arena officially opened its doors on 24 June 2007. The inaugural concert was performed by rock band Bon Jovi, and the Arena has since hosted a multitude of high-profile events, from the 2012 Olympic Games to concerts by world-renowned artists.
The O2 Arena features a variety of facilities, including a music club, a cinema, an exhibition space, and numerous restaurants and bars. It can accommodate up to 20,000 spectators for concerts and up to 15,000 for sporting events, making it one of the most versatile venues in the world.
One of the most distinctive features of the O2 Arena is its iconic dome structure, which is made of Teflon-coated glass fiber. The dome spans an impressive 365 meters in diameter and stands 50 meters high, making it a landmark feature in the London skyline.
The O2 Arena (2007): Information about the O2 Arena from AEG Europe https://www.aegeurope.com
O2 Arena (The Dome) – until 2007: Historical data about the O2 Arena from StadiumDB.com https://www.stadiumdb.com
The Dome doesn't fade away: A book providing insights about the Millennium Dome https://www.primebooks.net
AEG Europe 50 glorious years - The History 1: A book detailing the history of AEG Europe https://www.aegeurope.com/history
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