Opening date set for huge £365m Co-op Live indoor arena in Manchester

An opening date has now been set for a huge new £365m indoor arena being built in Manchester.

The megastructure, which is being built by Manchester’s Etihad Stadium has been confirmed to open its doors to the public in April 2024 — though it was originally planned to be completed by the end of this year.

The 23,500-capacity arena is being built by BAM Construct UK and is being led by a joint venture between City Football Group and Los Angeles-based Oak View Group. 

Harry Styles has backed the project and was announced as an investor in October 2020.

A Co-op Live spokesman said: “Co-op Live will be opening our doors to fans in April 2024.

“It’s huge kudos to BAM, and the dozens of local subcontractors working on the project, that we are well within our original timeframe and on-budget given the unprecedented challenges of the pandemic, supply chain shortages, and an energy crisis.

“We’re proud to be on the home stretch to delivering Co-op Live and we can’t wait to invite fans in to experience the biggest and most sustainable arena in the UK.”

Boasting itself as the UK’s only music-first arena, the venue will feature a ‘smart bowl’ —  which took inspiration from conversations with Bruce Springsteen and Harry Styles.

Designed with an intimate atmosphere in mind, the bowl will not feature any corporate branding, ensuring both the fan and artist can fully immerse themselves in the show. 

The suites lining the edges of level 2 will utilise soundproof black curtains to maximise the impact of sound and lighting for the ultimate fan experience.

The arena will also include the largest floor space of any indoor venue, a ‘significantly lower’ ceiling, and tiered seating.

Fans can expect to enjoy its 32 bars, restaurants and lounges, including a locally sourced and sustainable food and drink. Given go-ahead in 2020, the venue has a 15-year naming rights deal with the Co-op.

Co-op Live has a target to be net carbon neutral by 2038, be a 100% electric building, have almost 9,000 sqm of solar panels and produce no food waste.

It also aims to have no single-use plastic on site, send no waste to landfill and make use of all the rainwater it collects.

The impact on the environment is a major plus point of the whole project and one that bosses will be hoping will help entice the largest acts from across the world to choose Co-op Live over other rival venues.

They will be hoping that most environmentally-conscious acts such as Coldplay will pick Co-op Live because of its green credentials instead of looking at other venues in the city.

In order to meet its net-zero carbon ambitions, bosses hired a sustainability consultancy used by Glastonbury Festival and Coldplay.

Earlier this year, a first look inside this glossy new addition to the city revealed what has been billed as one of the ‘most exclusive VIP experiences’.

Its live music member’s club, The Bentley Record Room, aims to offer the ‘best tickets to live shows’, with high-end dining options, a private host and waiter service, designated parking, and a VIP entrance to the venue.