The 20,000-seater venue is set to open in 2028
A CGI of the Aviva Arena in Bristol(Image: YTL)
The name of Bristol’s long-awaited arena has been announced. The 20,000-seater venue will be called ‘Aviva Arena’ following a major deal with the UK insurance giant. The details of the transaction have not been disclosed but it is understood it is a long-term sponsorship agreement worth millions of pounds.
The arena is being built at Brabazon, on the old Filton Airfield, and is expected to open in 2028. Malaysia-based developer YTL first announced plans for the venue in 2018, but its construction has been hampered by years of delays.
Work is currently being carried out to transform Brabazon Hangars – the birthplace Concorde – into a live entertainment destination. The entire complex, called YTL Live, will house Aviva Arena in the central and largest of the three hangars, as well as a conference and exhibition space.
According to YTL, the project will create more than 2,000 jobs during construction, with up to a further 500 permanent roles once the arena is operational.
Some 1.4 million people are expected to attend live music, sports and entertainment events at Aviva Arena every year once it opens and in its first decade it is predicted to contribute an estimated £1bn to the wider Bristol economy.
The venue will feature 20 state-of-the-art dressing rooms, extensive production facilities and Europe’s largest services yard, capable of accommodating up to 60 touring lorries simultaneously.
A CGI inside Aviva Arena(Image: YTL)
Andrew Billingham, chief executive of YTL Live, said: “Aviva Arena will be one of the most exciting and sustainable live entertainment venues anywhere in the world, and we are incredibly proud to welcome Aviva as our naming partner.
“This long-term partnership brings together two organisations with shared values around innovation, sustainability and community impact. Aviva Arena will put Bristol firmly on the global touring map, delivering unforgettable experiences for fans and artists alike while creating lasting benefits for the city and the wider region.”
The boss of Aviva, which employs some 1,700 people in Bristol, said she was “proud” to back the new venue – the third in its portfolio along with Dublin and Manchester.
Dame Amanda Blanc, group chief executive of Aviva, said: “Bristol is an important city for Aviva, and we are proud to back this new world-class arena which will have such a positive community impact.
“Aviva Arena will further strengthen Bristol’s position as one of Europe’s great creative cities and become a landmark destination for the South West of England.”
The name was announced at an event at Aerospace Bristol, with chart‑topping British singer‑songwriter Tom Grennan delivering a six‑song set beneath Concorde. The exclusive performance played out to an audience that included Sir Francis Yeoh, the executive chair of YTL Corporation, and Helen Godwin, West of England Mayor.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves said: “Aviva and YTL’s landmark sponsorship commitment is a powerful endorsement of the UK as a world class place to build, to do business and to grow – exactly the kind of long‑term investment this Government is backing right across the country.
“It’s good news for people across the West of England, creating thousands of jobs and putting the region firmly on the global map for live entertainment.”
‘A major milestone’
Once the arena opens, it is understood Aviva will offer its customers a range of exclusive benefits, including a 48-hour ticket pre-sale window ahead of general release; priority venue access; ticket upgrades; in-venue discounts; and a programme of so-called ‘money-can’t-buy’ experiences.
Colin Skellett, chief executive of YTL UK Group, said that securing Aviva as the naming partner for the arena marked “a defining moment” in a journey to create one of Europe’s “most exciting” live entertainment destinations.
“This partnership is a powerful vote of confidence in our vision for YTL Live and for the future of Bristol as a world-class cultural hub,” he said. “Our partnership with Aviva represents a major milestone in delivering a venue that will raise the bar for live entertainment in the UK and drive substantial long-term benefits for Bristol and the wider region.”
Aviva Arena is part of a wider development known as Brabazon New Town that includes thousands of homes, office space and a new train station. It will be at the heart of a corridor of connected developments in South Gloucestershire known as the West Innovation Arc.
Last year it was announced that Brabazon would receive town status from the government.
YTL previously said that Brabazon would emerge as a “thriving new town, designed around people, nature and opportunity: the best place in the UK to live, work and play”.