AO Arena

If you’re in Manchester to see a big name music act, there’s a high chance you’re seeing it at the AO Arena.

This 23,000-capacity venue is one of the biggest indoor stadiums in Europe. U2, Taylor Swift, The Rolling Stones, Beyoncé and Lady Gaga have all graced its stage. While a random sample of what’s coming up at the Manchester Arena in 2024 includes Nick Cave, Chris Stapleton, Becky Hill and Childish Gambino.

It also hosts big nights of televised boxing, touring shows such as Disney on Ice, and comedians with the pulling power to fill the huge space.

A £50-million upgrade was completed in 2024 including increased seating capacity and new facilities such as The Mezz. This high-end hospitality area features a bar and restaurant and gives access to some of the best seats for showtime.