Bristol’s new 20,000 capacity live entertainment venue has name unveiled
Landmark sponsorship to usher in major economic boost and job opportunities
The operating company behind Bristol's new live entertainment venue has announced that Aviva has been awarded naming rights to the 20,000 capacity indoor arena.
With the venue scheduled to open in late 2028, the 'Aviva Arena' is anticipated to host over 120 major events annually, drawing around 1.4 million attendees for music, sports, and entertainment events each year.
The arena will be part of the YTL Live complex, located in the historic Brabazon Hangars, the birthplace of Concorde supersonic jets in Brabazon New Town, north Bristol.
A strategic partnership with Aviva has secured naming rights for the venue, marking a multi-million-pound sponsorship agreement.
The arena's introduction is expected to contribute £1 billion to the Bristol economy over its first 10 years, creating more than 2,000 construction jobs, with an additional 500 permanent positions once operational.
The announcement event featured a live performance from chart-topping singer-songwriter Tom Grennan at Aerospace Bristol, underscoring the venue's potential to host renowned artists in the future.
CEO of YTL Live, Andrew Billingham, 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.
“Tom Grennan is the perfect star to help launch the Aviva Arena. As an arena-filling artist in his own right, he sets the tone for the calibre of world-class performers who will take to this stage in the years to come.
"And just as importantly, the Arena will become a platform for local talent to grow, thrive, and shine. We are already exploring ways to support emerging artists who are building their audience and fanbases. Our aim is clear: to ensure that Aviva Arena contributes positively and sustainably to the entire live-music landscape, from emerging talent to headline artists.”
The Chancellor of the Exchequer 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.”