The O2 to keep name for another decade

The O2 in London, the world’s most-visited music venue, is to keep its name for another next ten years following the signing of a new agreement by operator AEG and naming partner O2.

The partnership between AEG and O2, a subsidiary of Spanish telecommunications giant Telefónica, dates back to 2005, when the two parties announced they were to redevelop the then-empty Millennium Dome in Greenwich into The O2. The new venue, and its 21,000-capacity arena, opened in 2007.

More than 60 million people have passed through The O2’s doors since, with close to 20m tickets sold.

As part of the renewed deal, O2 will from 2018 the number of priority tickets available to its customers, and both it and AEG are investing in high-density wi-fi for the venue, expanded pre-show facilities and a 205,000sqft designer shopping centre, due to open in 2018.

“Together AEG and O2 have created the world’s most popular music and entertainment venue, now celebrating its 10th year of operation”

The partners have also announced they are to install new technology in The O2 Arena to track and analyse crowd movements – providing information such as calories burned; noise generated by the audience; and as the most popular moment of the night, based on the crowd’s response – which will be shared with fans and on social media, “enhancing the live experience before, during and after each event”.

Mark Evans, CEO of Telefónica UK, comments: “We are incredibly proud of our highly successful partnership with AEG, which has made The O2 into the internationally renowned music and entertainment venue it is today. Over the past ten years our work together has set an industry gold standard and it will continue to do so for the next ten years.

AEG Europe vice-president Paul Samuels adds: “Together AEG and O2 have created the world’s most popular music and entertainment venue, now celebrating its 10th year of operation. From signing the deal back in 2005, O2 as become a significant and transformative force in the music business, and our partnership has enabled countless benefits and experiences for their customers and all music, sports and entertainment fans.

“We’re thrilled they’re committing to The O2 once again, and know it will enable the venue to become even better for fans and the artists that play here. The O2 would not be the success it is without the support and commitment of our partners.”

Get more stories like this in your inbox by signing up for IQ Index, IQ’s free email digest of essential live music industry news.

Read More Like This

News|06 Nov 2023

Rapino sees strong global demand ‘for next decade’

"This is an industry that's going to grow for a very long time," says the Live Nation CEO in a new interview

News|20 Mar 2024

Moby announces first European tour in a decade

The tour will celebrate the 25th anniversary of his fifth album Play – one of the best-selling electronic albums of all time

News|05 Apr 2024

Music Venue Trust’s decade of defiance

As the UK charity marks its 10th anniversary, IQ talks to grassroots venue campaigners around the world making change in their markets

News|05 Dec 2023

House rules: The O2’s roaring residency trade

Emma Bownes and Robbie Balfour reflect on The O2's busiest-ever year for residencies and why they're a win for the artists, fans and the venue

News|19 Dec 2023

The O2 hails record-breaking year for ticket sales

The AEG-operated venue has surpassed last year's total and noted a 9.3% increase in year-on-year ticket sales since 2019