Aviva Arena confirmed as Bristol’s new 20,000 live events venue – in an old Concorde hangar

Bristol’s upcoming event venue has officially been named Aviva Arena and will seat up to 20,000 indoor spectators for music, sports and other entertainment events.

It is estimated that the facility, which is planned to open in late 2028, will create more than 2,000 jobs during construction and 500 more permanent jobs will be needed after the opening.

The arena will be located in one of three former Concorde hangars at Brabazon, with the wider complex including two other hangars owned and operated by YTL Live. Work continues to transform the Hangars and the surrounding area, including housing projects and a soon-to-be-built train station to serve the area.

In particular, the Aviva Arena is expected to host more than 120 events each year and the entertainment venue is expected to contribute more than £1 billion to the local economy in its first ten years of operation.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves said: “Aviva and YTL’s groundbreaking sponsorship commitment is a strong endorsement of the UK as a world-class place to build, do business and grow, the kind of long-term investment this government is supporting across the country. This is good news for people in the West of England, creating thousands of jobs and putting the region firmly on the global map for live entertainment.”

YTL Live CEO Andrew Billingham said the arena will be “one of the most exciting and sustainable live entertainment venues anywhere in the world”.

“Aviva Arena will put Bristol firmly on the global touring map, delivering unforgettable experiences for fans and artists alike, as well as creating lasting benefits for the city and wider region,” he added.

Dame Amanda Blanc, Aviva Group Chief Executive, said: “Bristol is an important city for Aviva and we are proud to support this world-class new arena, which will have a positive impact on the community. Aviva Arena will further strengthen Bristol’s position as one of Europe’s great creative cities and become a landmark for the South West of England.

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“Together with the Aviva Stadium in Dublin and Aviva Studios in Manchester, Aviva now supports three iconic venues that host the best in sport, music and the arts and deliver lasting economic and social value.

“And just as importantly, the arena will become a platform for local talent to grow, develop and shine. We are exploring ways to support emerging artists who are already building their own audiences and fan bases. Our aim is clear: to ensure Aviva Arena contributes positively and sustainably to the entire live music scene, from emerging talent to headliners.”