Utilita Arena Birmingham

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Updated On :09 Apr, 2021

Full Name
Utilita Arena Birmingham

Capacity
15,800

Type
Indoor

Location
Birmingham, England, United Kingdom

The Utilita Arena Birmingham, formerly known as Arena Birmingham, The Barclaycard Arena and the National Indoor Arena, is the largest indoor sporting arena and an entertainment venue in Birmingham, established in 1991. The stadium has both permanent and temporary seating facilities. It was inaugurated by Linford Christie, who was an athlete by profession. At present, it is managed by NEC Group. The renovation that included new pre-show hospitality elements, a new glazed facade, three "sky needle" light sculptures and a showpiece entrance of the arena was started in 2012 that took around two years to complete. The renovation's designs were made by Broadway Malyan and constructed by Royal BAM Group. It hosts various events, including concerts with performances of celebrities (such as Michael Flatley, Mariah Carey), business conferences, and exhibitions. On 16 January 2020, it was declared that from 15 April 2020, the arena's name would be changed to Utilita Arena Birmingham. Utilita Arena Birmingham is currently the third-largest indoor arena in the United Kingdom. In 2019, the arena's ticket sales were 530,597, which was the 4th highest in the UK.

Trivia

The arena was officially opened on October 4, 1991, as the "National Indoor Arena", by athlete Linford Christie.
An estimated amount of £26 million was expended on its redevelopment.

Significance

The arena has witnessed Davis Cup matches in 1999, 2002 and 2016 in which Great Britain hosted the United States, Sweden and Thailand, and Japan, respectively.
In 2014, Barclaycard ( Barclays plc.) won the naming rights for five years.
In 1993, it hosted the IBF World Championship and the Netball World Championship in 1995.
In 2018, it is scheduled to host the IAAF World Indoor Championship.
In 1998, it hosted the Eurovision Song Contest as well as the World Judo Championship and WWF Rebellion in 1999.
In 2003, it hosted the IBF World Championship and the European Athletics Indoor Championship in 2007.
In 2010, the stadium witnessed the European Men's and Women's Artistic Gymnastics Championships and also the Wheelchair Basketball World Championship.
Linkin Park performed here on 6 July 2017 as part of the One More Light Tour.
The arena will also host 2022 Commonwealth Games.