Aviva Area confirmed as Bristol’s new 20,000 reside occasions venue - in an outdated Concorde hangar

[ad_1] Your assist helps us to inform the story From reproductive rights to local weather change to Large Tech, The Unbiased is on the bottom when the story is growing. Whether or not it is investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our newest documentary, 'The A Phrase', which shines a lightweight on the American ladies preventing for reproductive rights, we all know how essential it's to parse out the information from the messaging.

At such a crucial second in US historical past, we'd like reporters on the bottom. Your donation permits us to maintain sending journalists to talk to each side of the story.

The Unbiased is trusted by Individuals throughout the complete political spectrum. And in contrast to many different high quality information shops, we select to not lock Individuals out of our reporting and evaluation with paywalls. We consider high quality journalism ought to be out there to everybody, paid for by those that can afford it.

Your assist makes all of the distinction. Learn extra Bristol’s forthcoming occasions venue has been formally named the Aviva Area, which is ready to host 20,000 spectators for indoor music, sport and different leisure events.

Set to open in late 2028, it's estimated that greater than 2,000 jobs can be created throughout development, with an extra 500 everlasting roles required after opening.

The sector can be housed in one among three former Concorde hangars at Brabazon, with the broader advanced, together with the opposite two hangars, owned and run by YTL Stay. Work to remodel the Hangars and the encompassing space is ongoing, together with housing initiatives and a forthcoming prepare station to serve the world.

On the Aviva Area particularly, over 120 occasions are anticipated to be hosted annually, with the leisure venue projected to contribute in extra of £1bn to the native economic system over its first ten years of operation.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves stated: “Aviva and YTL’s landmark sponsorship dedication is a strong endorsement of the UK as a world-class place to construct, to do enterprise and to develop – precisely the type of long-term funding this authorities is backing proper throughout the nation. It’s excellent news for folks throughout the West of England, creating 1000's of jobs and placing the area firmly on the worldwide map for reside leisure.”

Andrew Billingham, CEO of YTL Stay, stated the world is ready to be “probably the most thrilling and sustainable reside leisure venues wherever on this planet.”

“Aviva Area will put Bristol firmly on the worldwide touring map, delivering unforgettable experiences for followers and artists alike whereas creating lasting advantages for town and the broader area,” he added.

The naming occasion included a efficiency from artist Tom Grennan, and an look from Sir Francis Yeoh, the chief chair of YTL Company, a multibillion-dollar company which owns vitality, development and lodge companies throughout the globe. Mr Yeo, a religious Christian who thanked God for “offering the ethical and religious spine on the coronary heart of the YTL household”, added that YTL could be investing £4bn within the UK over a five-year interval. “We love the UK and are happy to be its largest Malaysian investor,” he added.

Dame Amanda Blanc, Group chief govt of Aviva, stated: “Bristol is a crucial metropolis for Aviva, and we're proud to again this new world-class area which can have such a optimistic group influence. Aviva Area will additional strengthen Bristol’s place as one among Europe’s nice inventive cities and grow to be a landmark vacation spot for the South West of England.

<img src="https://static.independent.co.uk/2026/02/20/9/37/WhatsApp-Image-2026-02-20-at-09-16-47.jpeg" srcset="https://static.independent.co.uk/2026/02/20/9/37/WhatsApp-Image-2026-02-20-at-09-16-47.jpeg?quality=75&width=320&auto=webp 320w, https://static.independent.co.uk/2026/02/20/9/37/WhatsApp-Image-2026-02-20-at-09-16-47.jpeg?quality=75&width=640&auto=webp 640w" loading="lazy" alt="Mayor Helen Godwin, Sir Francis Yeoh and Dame Amanda Blanc, chairman of Aviva" class="sc-1mc30lb-0 ggpMaE inline-gallery-btn"/> open picture in gallery

Mayor Helen Godwin, Sir Francis Yeoh and Dame Amanda Blanc, chairman of Aviva (Aviva/YTL) “Along with the Aviva Stadium in Dublin and Aviva Studios in Manchester, Aviva now helps three iconic venues which host the perfect in sport, music and the humanities, delivering lasting financial and social worth.

“And simply as importantly, the world will grow to be a platform for native expertise to develop, thrive, and shine. We're already exploring methods to assist rising artists who're constructing their viewers and fanbases. Our goal is evident: to make sure that Aviva Area contributes positively and sustainably to the complete live-music panorama, from rising expertise to headline artists.”