Co-op Live

Co-op Live was first approved in September 2020, announcing BAM Construct UK as the primary contractor.{{Cite web |last=Whelan |first=Dan |date=2020-09-24 |title=Manchester approves £350m Eastlands arena |url=https://www.placenorthwest.co.uk/manchester-approves-350m-eastlands-arena/ |access-date=2025-04-29 |website=Place North West |language=en-GB}} At the time, Tim Leiweke, co-founder of Oak View Group, said: "We’re delighted that Manchester City Council has given our proposals the go-ahead, and we can’t wait to get started, bringing £350m of private investment, creating thousands of jobs, and delivering one of the world’s best arenas to this amazing city.{{Cite web |last=Whelan |first=Dan |date=2020-09-24 |title=Manchester approves £350m Eastlands arena |url=https://www.placenorthwest.co.uk/manchester-approves-350m-eastlands-arena/ |access-date=2025-04-29 |website=Place North West |language=en-GB}}"

In 2020, the Co-operative Group announced it would be a significant investor in the arena, which would be named after it, and that Co-operative members will receive exclusive benefits regarding use of the arena.{{cite web |url=https://www.co-operative.coop/media/news-releases/new-arena-in-manchester-to-be-called-co-op-live-following-major-investment |title=New Arena in Manchester to be Called Co-Op Live Following Major Investment |website=Co-operative Group |date=26 September 2020 |access-date=26 April 2024}}

Construction, undertaken by BAM Construct UK,{{cite news|url=https://www.itv.com/news/granada/2024-05-02/crisis-hit-music-venue-monitored-closely-after-embarrassing-delays |title=Crisis-hit Manchester Co-op Live Arena 'monitored closely' after embarrassing delays|newspaper=ITV News|date=2 May 2024|access-date=2 May 2024}} started in 2021. As of 2022, the estimated cost of the scheme was £365{{nbsp}}million. In July 2024, Royal BAM reported its UK construction business had suffered a £19.5m loss due to problems at the arena, and would be cutting jobs.{{cite news |last1=Morby |first1=Aaron |title=BAM plans wave of job cuts at UK Construction arm |url=https://www.constructionenquirer.com/2024/07/25/bam-reveals-job-cuts-plan-at-uk-construction-arm/ |access-date=25 July 2024 |work=Construction Enquirer |date=25 July 2024}}

Manchester indie band Elbow officially opened the venue on 14 May 2024.{{Cite web |last=Slater |first=Chris |date=2024-05-14 |title=Review: Elbow bring an uplifting note as Co-op Live puts misery behind it |url=https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/whats-on/music-nightlife-news/review-elbow-bring-uplifting-note-29168958 |access-date=2025-04-29 |website=Manchester Evening News |language=en}} The opening period also included notable performances by the likes of comedian Peter Kay, Liam Gallagher, The Killers, Take That and Nicki Minaj.{{cite news |author= |date=19 February 2024 |title=Peter Kay to perform at opening of UK's largest indoor arena |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-manchester-68336866 |access-date=19 February 2024 |work=BBC News |location=Manchester}}

The Eagles also performed a five night residency at the venue as part of their farewell "Long Goodbye" tour, taking place in May and June 2024.{{cite news |author=Tyler Kelly |date=22 January 2024 |title=The Eagles announce residency at Co-op Live arena in Manchester |url=https://www.thelineofbestfit.com/news/the-eagles-announce-residency-at-co-op-live-arena-in-manchester |access-date=28 May 2024 |work=The Line of Best Fit}}

On 25 May a performance by Nicki Minaj was cancelled, after most attendees had been admitted into the venue, after an arrest for drug possession at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol;{{cite news |last1=Walker |first1=Amy |date=25 May 2024 |title=Full statement as Nicki Minaj Co-op Live gig cancelled hours after star's arrest |url=https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/whats-on/full-statement-nicki-minaj-co-29240858 |access-date=25 May 2024 |work=Manchester Evening News |language=en}} the concert, which was part of the Pink Friday 2 World Tour, was rescheduled to 3 June.{{Cite magazine |last=Peters |first=Mitchell |date=27 May 2024 |title=Nicki Minaj Announces Rescheduled Manchester Concert Following Amsterdam Arrest |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/nicki-minaj-rescheduled-manchester-concert-amsterdam-arrest-1235693422/ |access-date=31 July 2024 |magazine=Billboard}}

The first 12 months of Co-op Live has seen over 100 shows take place, including performances by Liam Gallagher, Diljit Dosanjh, Janet Jackson and Pearl Jam. In February 2024, it was announced that the arena would host the MTV Europe Music Awards in November, which took place on 10 November 2024.{{cite news |author= |date=29 February 2024 |title=Manchester's new Co-op Live arena to host MTV's Europe Music Awards. |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-68436452 |access-date=3 March 2024 |work=BBC News |location=Manchester}} On 24 April 2024, the UFC announced it would hold UFC 304: Edwards vs. Muhammad 2 at the venue on 27 July.{{cite news |author= |date=24 April 2024 |title=UFC 304 confirmed for Manchester in July |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/articles/c80z4epzd13o |access-date=24 April 2024 |work=BBC Sport}}{{cite web |date=1 May 2024 |title=Fans' dismay as Co-op Live Arena cancels show again |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-manchester-68937492.amp |access-date=1 May 2024 |website=BBC News}}

In July 2024, Sabrina Carpenter announced she would play two gigs at the Co-op Live Arena as part of the European leg of her Short n' Sweet Tour.{{Cite web |title=Sabrina Carpenter announces second Manchester date at Co-op Live as part of UK tour |url=https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/whats-on/music-nightlife-news/sabrina-carpenter-announces-second-manchester-29613485 |access-date=16 March 2025 |website=www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/}}

Charli XCX opened her BRAT world tour from the Manchester venue in November 2024.{{Cite web |last=Maidment |first=Adam |date=2024-04-03 |title=Charli XCX to kick off 'biggest ever' UK tour with Manchester show at Co-op Live |url=https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/whats-on/music-nightlife-news/charli-xcx-kick-biggest-ever-28932814 |access-date=2025-05-26 |website=Manchester Evening News |language=en}}

Paul McCartney played the arena on 14–15 December as part of his Got Back tour.{{Cite web |title=Paul McCartney Got Back tour |url=https://www.cooplive.com/events/88/got-back/paul-mccartney |language=en}}

Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band are set to perform across three nights, with the first on 14 May 2025.{{Cite web |last=Melia |first=Thomas |date=2024-10-01 |title=Bruce Springsteen is playing a trio of massive Manchester gigs at Co-op Live next year |url=https://themanc.com/audio/bruce-springsteen-manchester-gig-co-op-live-tickets-2025/ |access-date=2025-04-29 |website=The Manc |language=en-GB}} Olivia Rodrigo has confirmed her rescheduled shows for late June and early July 2025, now her only UK indoor shows announced for 2025.{{Cite web |date=2024-10-09 |title=Olivia Rodrigo reveals rescheduled gigs at Manchester's Co-op Live |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cy89178vx7po |access-date=2025-04-29 |website=BBC News |language=en-GB}} The venue has also announced a UK arena exclusive run by stateside R&B artist, Chris Brown.{{Cite web |last=Stereoboard |title=Chris Brown Adds Third Co-Op Live Manchester Show To UK Leg Of Breezy Bowl XX Tour - Stereoboard |url=https://www.stereoboard.com/content/view/247181/9 |access-date=2025-04-29 |website=Stereoboard.com |language=en}} Upon announcing Chris Brown, the venue revealed their highest ticket sales to date, and the most across Europe during that single week.{{Cite web |last=Areas |first=Access All |date=2025-04-09 |title=Co-op Live celebrates landmark week for ticket sales |url=https://accessaa.co.uk/co-op-live-celebrates-landmark-week-for-ticket-sales/ |access-date=2025-04-29 |website=Access All Areas |language=en-GB}}

Additionally, American rapper Tyler, the Creator is scheduled to perform two nights at the arena on 27 and 28 May 2025 on his tour Chromakopia: The World Tour.{{Cite web |title=Tyler The Creator |url=https://www.aegpresents.co.uk/tyler-the-creator/ |access-date=2024-11-10 |website=AEG Presents |language=en}} Robbie Williams is set to perform on 10 and 11 June 2025 as part of his 2025 tour.{{Cite web |title=Robbie Williams announces huge 2025 UK, Ireland and Europe tour |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/robbie-williams-2025-uk-ireland-europe-tour-buy-tickets-3811519 |access-date=2024-11-11 |website=NME |language=en}} Additionally, Lady Gaga, with her Mayhem Ball, will perform two nights at Co-op Live on 7 and 8 October.{{Cite web |last=Kaufman |first=Gil |date=2025-04-04 |title=Lady Gaga Adds 13 New Shows to Mayhem Ball Tour: See the Dates |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/pop/lady-gaga-adds-13-new-shows-2025-mayhem-ball-tour-see-dates-1235939299/ |access-date=2025-04-08 |website=Billboard |language=en-US}}

Billie Eilish confirmed the venue would host four nights of her Hit Me Hard and Soft: The Tour in July 2025.{{Cite web |title=Billie Eilish announces Hit Me Hard And Soft tour UK dates |url=https://news.sky.com/story/billie-eilish-announces-hit-me-hard-and-soft-uk-tour-dates-13125857 |access-date=29 April 2024 |website=news.sky.com}}

The arena was officially due to open on 23 April with a headline act by comedian Peter Kay; however, due to power supply issues at a test event featuring Rick Astley on 20 April, which resulted in 4,000 tickets being cancelled, the venue announced that Kay's performance was to be postponed until 29 and 30 April. The Black Keys were scheduled to perform on 27 April, but this was later rescheduled to 15 May.{{cite web |last=Vinter |first=Robyn |date=21 April 2024 |title=Thousands 'fuming' after tickets cancelled for Co-op Live arena show in Manchester |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2024/apr/21/thousands-fuming-after-tickets-cancelled-for-co-op-live-arena-show-in-manchester |website=The Guardian |location=London |access-date=26 April 2024}}{{cite news |author= |date=22 April 2024 |title=Co-op Live: New Manchester arena postpones Peter Kay's opening shows |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-68873264 |work=BBC News |location=Manchester |access-date=23 April 2024}} On-going technical issues saw Kay's performances rescheduled for a second time to 23 and 24 May.{{cite web |last=Vinter |first=Robyn |date=26 April 2024 |title=More gigs postponed amid opening week chaos at Manchester Co-op Live arena |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2024/apr/26/head-of-co-op-live-arena-quits-amid-opening-week-chaos-manchester |website=The Guardian |location=London |access-date=26 April 2024}} The venue was due to be opened on 1 May with A Boogie wit da Hoodie, but this was also postponed, as well as Olivia Rodrigo and Keane who were scheduled for the following weekend.{{Cite web |last1=Wootton-Cane |first1=Nicole |last2=Campbell |first2=Jenna |date=1 May 2024 |title=Co-op Live first gig cancelled again after weeks of chaos |url=https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/whats-on/whats-on-news/live-first-gig-set-go-29093873 |access-date=1 May 2024 |website=Manchester Evening News |language=en}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/whats-on/whats-on-news/keane-announce-co-op-live-29103791|title=Keane announce Co-op Live show cancelled after week of chaos for troubled arena|website=manchestereveningnews.co.uk|access-date=2 May 2024}} In the wake of the delayed opening and cancellations, Take That opted to move their five concert dates from Co-op Live to rival venue the AO Arena.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-manchester-68940344|title=Take That move Co-op Live shows to rival arena after chaos|website=bbc.co.uk|access-date=2 May 2024}} Co-op Live officially opened on 14 May 2024, with the band Elbow being the opening act.{{cite news |title=Manchester's Co-op Live arena finally opens after weeks of cancellations and setbacks |url=https://news.sky.com/story/manchesters-co-op-live-arena-finally-opens-after-weeks-of-cancellations-and-setbacks-13135966 |access-date=14 May 2024 |publisher=Sky News |date=14 May 2024}}

File:New 'Co-op Live' Arena (geograph 7561674).jpg

The arena is planning to host live music, sports, comedy acts, and family entertainment events. It will have an all-seated maximum capacity of 20,500 (for a centre-stage concert, extending the retractable seating in the lower tier); but with an enhanced maximum capacity of 23,500, of whom 7,500 would be standing, when lower tier seating is retracted.{{Cite web |url=https://pa.manchester.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?keyVal=Q6S4KJBCM9Q00&activeTab=summary |title=Design and Access Statement |pages=39 and 115 |website=Manchester City Council |date=31 March 2020}}{{Cite web|url=https://democracy.manchester.gov.uk/documents/s18793/126431%20Arena.pdf|title=Erection of a multi-use arena|website=Manchester City Council |date=31 March 2020}}{{cite news |author= |date=28 February 2020 |title=Manchester plans revealed for UK's largest indoor arena |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-manchester-51676000 |work=BBC News |location=Manchester |access-date=21 April 2024}}

The audience bowl will be approximately square with retractable seating on level 0 and level 1, premium seating on level 2, upper tier seating on level 3, and hospitality lounges overlooking the stage at level 4 from the North and South sides; while the configuration of the auditorium is intended to be optimised for larger-scale touring music performances with a relatively low ceiling (to enhance the acoustic experience), an extensive potential flat floor area at Level 0 for standing, and minimised distances from the upper tiers to the stage. Compared to a more conventional arena bowl of equivalent size, the tiered seats on the Western side of the Co-op Arena are claimed to be around {{convert|20|m|-1}} closer to the performance stage. The promoters state that the interior of the bowl "has been designed to feel like the UK's largest nightclub".{{Cite web |url=https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/bosses-huge-new-arena-next-23788023 |title=Bosses of huge new arena next to the Etihad issue update ahead of grand opening |website=NME |date=26 April 2022}}

The arena is planned to host around 120 events per year, 100 of which are planned music events. The design of the arena is primarily focused on hosting live music with Tim Leiweke, the CEO of the Oak View Group, stating that the design "made it about music and started there" as other arena projects had been "compromised by trying to please everyone".

In addition to live music and entertainment, the developers propose basketball, netball, tennis, esports and gymnastics as sports that could be hosted within the dimensions of the arena floor, and for which there was not, at the time, an appropriate larger venue in Manchester capable of hosting championship events. With lower-tier seating retracted, the floor would accommodate a standard ice hockey rink. For events configured with a centre stage or using the arena floor, there will be additional upper-tier seating on the East side; above and behind the normal end-stage position.

• List of indoor arenas in the United Kingdom
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Category:Buildings and structures in Manchester

Category:Indoor arenas in England

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