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Deal completed for shuttered Helsinki arena

Finland’s largest indoor arena is finally set to reopen after three years after Helsinki-based real estate company Trevian Kasvu acquired a controlling stake in the venue.

The Finnish capital’s former Hartwall Arena (cap. 15,500) has been mothballed since 2022 due to sanctions on its previous owners relating to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Beverage giant Hartwall ended its 25-year association with the building – since renamed Helsinki Halli – due to its Russian ownership, while scheduled shows by acts such as Kiss, The Cure, Eric Clapton and Queen + Adam Lambert were relocated.

“The negotiations lasted more than two years and proceeded in a spirit of cooperation,” says Reima Södervall, CEO of Trevian Asset Management. “Despite the challenging circumstances, all parties shared the common goal of bringing Helsinki Arena back into operation.”

Previously, the arena was owned by Arena Events Oy (AEO), a company co-founded by oligarchs Gennady Timchenko and Roman Rotenberg.

“Reopening the arena will have a tremendous impact on major events and cultural life”

“With this transaction, we can finally reopen the arena for events,” says Helsinki mayor Juhana Vartiainen. “The three-year closure has significantly limited our ability to host sports events, concerts, and corporate events in Helsinki. Reopening the arena will have a tremendous impact on major events and cultural life, as well as on the economy and attractiveness of Helsinki and the entire country. Additionally, it will contribute to the development of the local service sector.”

The acquisition was contingent upon a change in EU sanctions legislation and required regulatory approvals from the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and the National Enforcement Authority of Finland. An amendment to EU sanctions legislation enabling the transaction was passed in December 2024, with final approvals received this month.

The purchase price will remain with Finnish authorities for the duration of the EU sanctions.

Trevian is also exploring other locations in Finland for multi-purpose arena projects.

Elsewhere, Finnish project management contractor SRV was recently selected as partner to develop the Garden Helsinki scheme, which includes a 19,000-cap multipurpose arena. SRV is also behind a new 9,800-capacity multi-purpose arena scheduled to be built in the town of Hyvinkää by the end of 2026, as well as a separate complex in the southwestern city of Turku.

 


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UK arenas health check: The state of the nation

UK arena bosses have weighed in on the sector’s biggest issues in 2025 – and debated whether the stadium boom is hurting the indoor circuit.

The arena market boasts an abundance of top talent, with upcoming tours by stars such as Sabrina Carpenter, Billie Eilish, Teddy Swims, Gracie Abrams, Usher, Pulp, Andrea Bocelli, Chase & Status, Bryan Adams, Olly Murs, Katy Perry, Tyler, the Creator, Tom Grennan, The Lumineers, Lil Baby, Jamiroquai, Central Cee, Busted vs McFly and Kylie Minogue.

But with Post Malone becoming the latest A-lister to announce a summer stadium run, joining around 30 artists from Oasis to Beyoncé in headlining music’s biggest stages, does something have to give?

“The fan demand for live entertainment is stronger than ever, and although we are always competing to some extent, there’s no harm in a wider choice for fans across the board,” says Guy Dunstan, SVP and GM at Manchester’s Co-op Live (cap. 23,500), speaking to IQ.

“There will always be differing levels or artists taking to different sized venues, and at Co-op Live we’re even seeing some of the staple outdoor artists like Bruce Springsteen, Eagles and Pearl Jam opt to return to an indoor venue of our scale and size. It’s testament to the strength of the industry, that these events can co-exist.”

Gemma Vaughan, GM of Manchester’s 23,000-cap AO Arena is equally confident there is enough room for everyone.

“Manchester is lucky enough to be a city that’s home to two arenas, a plethora of smaller independent venues and two stadiums that also host live events,” she says. “We’ve been at the heart of Manchester’s music scene since 1995, we’re confident we’ll continue to thrive alongside all of our neighbours.”

“Fans only have a limited amount of discretionary spend”

Indeed, Steve Sayer, SVP and GM at London’s 20,000-cap The O2, says it is shaping up to be a year to remember for both stadiums and arenas.

“With stadium gigs, it tends to be a little bit cyclical: you’ll have a strong year and then the next year isn’t quite as strong, so it could potentially be perceived as having an impact on arena shows,” he contends. “But we’re certainly confident when we look at the diary – and not just this year, but next year as well – that the show count forecast remains strong.”

North of the border however, Rob Wicks, MD of Aberdeen’s P&J Live, admits to harbouring reservations on the subject, stressing: “Fans only have a limited amount of discretionary spend.”

Nevertheless, Wicks, who lists the cost of touring, the cost of living crisis and closures of grassroots venues among his chief concerns for the business, reports the 15,000-cap Scottish arena is still on track for a stellar year.

“The venue sold 31% more tickets in 2024 than it did in 2023 and is on track for a similar increase in 2025, which is really encouraging,” he tells IQ.

John Drury, VP and GM of London’s OVO Arena Wembley (cap. 12,500), sees both sides of the argument, but tells IQ it’s a case of so far, so good.

“There’s no doubt that a rising number of outdoor shows and festivals can widen the market and lead to some challenges in arenas, but so far for us at Wembley we’re not seeing a downside,” he reports. “2024 was a record-breaking year for Wembley and 2025 is shaping up to be as strong, if not stronger. Significantly, we hosted over 50 first-time headline acts last year, which shows the current strength of the arena market in the UK.”

“The arena landscape is really strong in comparison to 2024,” nods Utilita Arena Newcastle GM Caroline James. “Maybe it is already having a positive impact?”

“Anything that brings massive profile to the sector is a good thing – particularly if it reminds people to buy tickets for other gigs!”

Dom Stokes, general manager of Utilita Arena Sheffield (cap. 13,600), shares similar sentiments – suggesting that a rising tide lifts all boats.

“I think it’s positive,” he argues. “Anything that brings massive profile to the sector is a good thing – particularly if it reminds people to buy tickets for other gigs! A strong stadium season can lead to offshoot events in the arenas. In Sheffield, we have often found an opportunity to use our huge space for rehearsals.”

Stokes describes 2025 as a “transitional year” for Utilita Arena Sheffield, which joined the ASM Global venue network last month alongside Sheffield City Hall.

“However, product is strong and the investment planned in both front of house and back of house areas is very exciting,” he adds. “Ticket sales for all our genres are strong, but ticket buyers continue to buy a long time in advance or very late. There doesn’t seem to be very much in between.”

It is a similar story at the 11,000-cap Utilita Arena Newcastle, where James projects a “fantastic year both for private events and live events”, but points out that ticket trends “seem to be all or nothing”.

“Late purchasing is still very apparent,” she advises, adding that an increasing number of events are going to the bigger cities and missing regional venues.

“UK arenas generated £100 million in VAT in 2023: £60m on ticket sales and £40m on ancillary income”

OVO Arena Wembley’s Drury goes into detail on the issues at the top of his in-tray right now as chair of the National Arena Association.

“Since coming back from Covid, costs have continued to rise, which puts pressure on our margins,” he notes. “We’re also of course aware that production costs are also rising, putting the squeeze on from all angles. To add to this, we are concerned that a proposed increase in business rates designed to hit the major warehouse operators of online sales will also affect arenas disproportionately – we feel that an adjustment of the proposed raises should be made for our businesses.

“We of course already contribute massively to the government coffers: we employ huge numbers locally, contribute millions of pounds to our local communities – studies show £100 per person average spend in the community from each arena show – and also pay a big part in positively impacting the mental wellbeing of our millions of guests.”

Drury also backs trade body LIVE’s calls lower VAT rates in line with many other European countries “where 20% is unheard of”.

“UK arenas generated £100 million in VAT in 2023: £60m on ticket sales and £40m on ancillary income,” he says. “A cut would help the grassroots sector massively but also if we were able to divert a portion of our VAT income back to those most in need in our industry we could and should pretty much become a self-financing industry.

“If, for example, we could plough back 5% of the VAT we raise on tickets as part of a wider VAT cut for our events, that would have meant £3m going back to grassroots in 2023 alone.”

“Grassroots venues are an incredible part of the broader live music ecosystem”

In late 2024, IQ reported the UK live music industry was edging towards a deal which would see more stadium and arena tours agree to include a contribution towards grassroots support after a meeting with culture minister Chris Bryant MP.

The ministerial roundtable followed the government’s plea to the live industry to introduce a voluntary ticket levy to support the grassroots music sector in its response to the Culture, Media and Sport (CMS) Select Committee’s report.

“What the minister asked for – and was looking for – was momentum,” says The O2’s Sayer. “From our perspective, we’ve always said that grassroots venues are an incredible part of the broader live music ecosystem. We’ve got a collective responsibility to ensure that we can put together a solution that’s equitable and works and actually delivers funds to the venues and the artists that really need that support.

“From what I can see, and the conversations that I’m having, I’m confident there will start to be momentum this year around the levy and hopefully, over time, that will start to generate the sort of funds the grassroots desperately needs.”

The struggles of the grassroots sector are also at the forefront of Vaughan’s mind.

“It’s no secret that rising touring costs are proving challenging across the live entertainment industry, but I think the more relevant question is how does that affect our grassroots musicians and venues?” queries the AO Arena boss. “If these artists are unable to perform, how can they graduate through the talent pipeline and become our next headline act?

“As one of the UK’s largest entertainment venues, we’re extremely conscious of our position, and this is something we’ve been working closely with Music Venue Trust and Manchester’s wider community as a whole. Especially as we turn 30 this year, it’s more prevalent than ever to ensure that we’re protecting grassroots from the top down, or there will be no arena sector for us in the next 30.”

“We’re seeing fans wanting a more focused consumer experience”

On the programming front meanwhile, Vaughan detects a consumer shift in genres, particularly K-Pop, where “Manchester is rivalling the likes of London when it comes to talent and demand”.

“There’s also been a substantial shift in what our fans expects not only from their favourite artists, but venues too,” she continues. “Fans are looking for authentic experiences that go beyond their Instagram stories, they’re wanting connection. Experiential experiences are not to be overlooked, so that will be another key priority for us this year.”

Across the city at the rival Co-op Live, Dunstan is revelling in the arena’s first full year of operation, with UK arena exclusives from the likes of Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band and Robbie Williams on the horizon in H1 2025.

“The appetite for content has been immense,” he observes. “Amongst it, we’re seeing fans wanting a more focused consumer experience, from quality food and drink, to pre- and post-show entertainment, well beyond VIP and hospitality.”

He concludes: “There’s significant attention on arenas and the part they play in the wider music ecosystem; perhaps more than ever, with vital conversations around ticket pricing, support for the grassroots sector, ticket levies and more.

“It’s a very exciting time to be part of the industry, and to work collaboratively to balance the various needs of all levels with an increase in fan experience and expectation. It’s this that rings loudest, with fans rightfully wanting the best possible experience in exchange for their hard-earned money.

“It’s great that things are being shaken up, and we’re proud to be at the forefront of many of these timely conversations and their subsequent changes.”

 


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Düsseldorf’s PSD Bank Dome expands floor capacity

Düsseldorf’s burgeoning live music circuit has been further enhanced thanks to the expanded standing capacity of its PSD Bank Dome multi-purpose arena.

The floor of the 15,000-cap German venue can now accommodate 6,666 fans for concerts, with dimensions of 59.5m x 41m, giving it the largest interior capacity in the region. Previously, it was able to host just 3,720 people.

American singer-songwriter Teddy Swims became the first artist to perform in the extended space, which forms part of the D.Live portfolio. The show had originally been scheduled for the city’s 7,500-cap Mitsubishi Electric Halle, but was upgraded due to high demand.

“The new, wider infield capacity has created an atmosphere that I have never experienced before in a comparable venue,” says PSD Bank Dome general manager Claudia Daufenbach. “The fact that we were able to inaugurate this adaptation with such an enthusiastic crowd shows the enormous potential of this innovation – an evening full of emotion that leaves you wanting more.”

“It is impressive how the Dome can maintain such an intimate concert atmosphere in its compactness with this increased capacity”

The Teddy Swims concert took place on Tuesday (11 February) and was promoted by Prime Entertainment and Live Nation.

“The new capacity of the PSD Bank Dome allowed us to offer even more fans a unique concert experience,” adds Jochen Breit-Tiffe, MD of Prime Entertainment. “It is impressive how the Dome can maintain such an intimate concert atmosphere in its compactness with this increased capacity. This elevates the venue’s attractiveness to the next level.”

Upcoming shows include Central Cee, Rauw Alejandro and Electric Callboy.

Earlier this month, D.Live was announced as the developer and operator of new 80,000-cap “plug-and-play” venue Open Air Park Düsseldorf, which will launch this July with a concert by AC/DC. The Düsseldorf-based company’s other venues include Club MTV, Ratinger Hof and the city’s 66,500-cap Merkur Spiel-Arena.

 


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Helsinki to gain second multipurpose arena

After years without an active arena, Finland’s capital is set to become home to two large indoor venues.

It is hoped that Helsinki’s former Hartwall Arena (cap. 15,500) will be able to reopen in late spring after being mothballed for almost three years due to sanctions relating to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Currently owned by Arena Events Oy (AEO), a company co-founded by oligarchs Gennady Timchenko and Roman Rotenberg, the venue is in the process of being sold to investment firm Trevian, pending approval from both the Finnish authorities and the EU.

“We have found a solution that suited us as buyers, that suited the Russian sellers, and a solution that was also potentially acceptable to the authorities,” Trevian CEO Reima Södervall said last month.

Elsewhere, Finnish project management contractor SRV has been selected as partner to develop Garden Helsinki.

The scheme will include a 19,000-cap multipurpose arena and connected hotel, offices, car park and residential buildings in the neighbourhood of Töölö. It will be located close to the Helsinki indoor skating rink, Bolt Arena and Helsinki Olympic Stadium.

“We will bring our diverse experience in similar arena projects in Tampere and Turku”

The company, which previously built Tampere’s Nokia Arena (cap. 15,000), has signed an agreement with Projekti GH Oy, which is overseeing the €800 million project. Described as including “the world’s most modern arena”, construction work is due to start in spring 2026.

SRV is also behind a new 9,800-capacity multi-purpose arena scheduled to be built in the town of Hyvinkää – less than 30 miles from Helsinki – by the end of 2026, as well as a separate complex in the southwestern city of Turku.

“We are delighted to work with Project GH Oy and the City of Helsinki to develop a new event hub in Töölö,” says SRV president and CEO Saku Sipola. “We will bring our diverse experience in similar arena projects in Tampere and Turku. Nokia Arena, developed jointly by the City of Tampere and SRV, includes offices, hotel and apartments and has generated a sense of vitality and substantial economic activity in the city.

“It has also been shown to support the City of Tampere’s strategy and image as an international event city. We believe that Garden Helsinki will provide Helsinki with a similarly significant appeal, stimulation and competitiveness as a city of sports, culture and major events.”

Garden Helsinki was originally due to be completed in stages from 2020 to 2023, but was delayed by the pandemic.

 


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Global artists power The O2’s 2025 concert drive

The O2’s purple patch of first-time headliners is being turbo-charged by artists from across the globe, according to the London arena’s boss Steve Sayer.

The 20,000-cap venue hosted more debut headline acts than ever before last year, with 41 artists – including Raye, Charli XCX, Sam Fender and Sleep Token (UK), Karol G (Colombia), Asake (Nigeria), Noah Kahan and Cigarettes After Sex (US), Pendulum (Australia), Arijit Singh and Sid Sriram (India) and IVE (Korea) – among those topping the bill for the first time, representing a 70% increase on 2023.

And 2025 is set to follow in a similar vein, courtesy of the likes of Ateez, Tomorrow X Together (Korea), Zhou Shen (China), JJ Lin (Singapore), Central Cee (UK), Tarkan (Turkey), Tate McRae (Canada), Sabrina Carpenter and Gracie Abrams (US) and Babymetal and Ado (Japan).

“We’re definitely seeing this global ecosystem starting to come together,” Sayer tells IQ. “This year looks strong for first-time headliners and a couple of new countries are represented for the first time. That plays back into that globalisation of music agenda that a lot of us have spoken about in the industry and it certainly sets us up well for this year.”

The O2 sold over 2.6 million tickets in 2024 overall – up 3.5% on 2023’s previous high. Other highlights included multi-night stands from acts such as Liam Gallagher, The Killers and Olivia Rodrigo, and staple events like the BRIT Awards and C2C Festival.

“If we look at the number of shows confirmed… we’re slightly ahead of the same period last year”

“It was a record-breaking year,” contends Sayer, the venue’s SVP and general manager. “We maintained our longstanding position as the world’s busiest live music and entertainment arena, with 200 or so arena performances, and had multi-night runs from global superstars. We were delighted.”

In addition, the venue ended 2024 on a particularly high note with two shows by Paul McCartney, with the second performance on 19 December seeing Ringo Starr joining his former bandmate on stage.

“It was an incredible couple of shows, and that second night when both of the Beatles joined together on stage was an incredible moment,” says Sayer. “We were really proud that we were able to host it and everybody who worked on that event felt it was one of the best shows of the year. We are very grateful to our friends at Marshall Arts for working on that one with us and giving us those two amazing nights. It was definitely a night to remember.”

The BRITs return to the complex on 1 March, followed by long-running country music festival Country to Country, which will be headlined by Lainey Wilson, Dierks Bentley and Cody Johnson from 14-16 March. A 10-night residency by Usher (29 March-7 May) and six nights with Billie Eilish (10-17 July) are also lined up.

“If we look at the number of shows confirmed, or at strong pencil, we’re slightly ahead of the same period last year, so it bodes well for a slightly stronger year,” points out Sayer. “The year is anchored by some big residencies and there’s also a real spotlight on big female pop acts. Alongside Billie, we’ve got Kylie, Katy Perry and some of the new superstars: Sabrina Carpenter, Gracie Abrams and Tate McRae, plus Busted vs McFly doing five shows towards the back end of the year.”

“We’re really proud of the carbon removed shows that were launched last year, and we’d like to secure more of them”

The O2 also made history in February last year by hosting the world’s first carbon-removed arena events at The 1975’s four headline shows, resulting in the extraction and removal of 545.9 tonnes.

“We’ve got to a really good place with our sustainability programme, but we want to take that a stage further,” says Sayer. “We’re really proud of the carbon removed shows that were launched last year and we’d like to secure more of them. That would be part of the solution towards getting The O2 to a net zero position.”

Furthermore, the venue became the first UK arena to achieve ‘Platinum’ Accessibility status with disability charity Attitude is Everything. It also introduced self-serve bars, powered by Amazon’s Just Walk Out technology. It also opened a multi-million-pound VIP members club.

“It was a busy year on lots of fronts, but a really strong year,” concludes Sayer. “It’s all about ensuring that we’re fit for the future. We’ve made a number of investments in the last three to four years and work is underway in relation to how we evolve and improve our backstage and green room areas. We also want to look at how we evolve the guest experience more generally.

“Over and above, the target is to deliver on those 200-plus amazing shows that we get in the building each year and giving everybody – the fans, the bands and the brands – a great experience.”

 


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Oak View Group explores Dublin arena plan

Venue giant Oak View Group (OVG) is contemplating building a new arena in Dublin, Ireland, it has been revealed.

According to Business Post, the scheme would be considerably larger than the city’s existing 3Arena (cap. 13,000) and closer in scale to OVG’s 23,500-cap Co-op Live development in Manchester, UK.

Executives reportedly met with local politicians and council leaders in the Irish capital late last year.

“Oak View Group is continuously exploring options for performance arenas throughout the world,” says a spokesperson for the firm. “As one of the world’s great music cities, Dublin would be part of that consideration.”

As in Manchester, OVG, which owns and operates more than 300 venues worldwide, would be entering a market already home to a long-established arena. Dublin’s Live Nation-operated 3Arena opened in 2008 on the site of the former Point Theatre.

OVG co-founder Tim Leiweke also disclosed plans to build “the greatest arena in the world” in West London during last year’s ILMC.

OVG International has appointed Donna Cross from NEC Group as director of business development

“London has the O2 and Wembley – it needs another great arena,” he said during the Hotseat interview. “The west side of London needs a new arena and the city can handle two or three arenas. If you look at LA, they have the Intuit Dome, The Forum, Crypto, Hollywood Bowl, the Greek Theatre and Honda Center down in Anaheim. So technically, you have six buildings in the marketplace. And by the way, we have the new Acrisure Arena down in Palm Springs. So, look at the competition in that marketplace.”

Speaking to IQ last year, OVG International president Jessica Koravos added: “We’re very opportunistic, and where we see a good opportunity in a good market – or an underserved market – we jump on it.”

Meanwhile, OVG International has appointed Donna Cross as director of business development. Cross joins after 12 years with the NEC Group, the past seven as sales director.

In her new role, Cross will work closely with Rebecca Kane Burton, EVP of venue management for OVG International and Josh Pell, OVG’s president of premium experiences and global strategy, to develop OVG International’s venue management and hospitality portfolio.

“I am delighted to be joining a truly outstanding global company in OVG International that has achieved such great growth in a such a short time,” says Cross. “I’m very excited to bring my expertise to this strong team to deliver world-class experiences across amazing venues.”

Kane Burton adds: “We are thrilled to have Donna join us at OVG International. She brings a wealth of valuable industry experience and a great network of clients that will help us as we rapidly expand our venue management services both here and abroad.”

 


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Frankfurt arena plans approved in principle

Long-held hopes for a multifunctional arena in Frankfurt, Germany, have been given a significant boost after the city council approved the plans in principle.

The 15,000-cap venue would host concerts and other events, as well as serving as the home venue for local professional basketball club Skyliners Frankfurt and ice hockey team Löwen Frankfurt.

The proposed site is located next to 51,500-cap stadium Deutsche Bank Park – home to Bundesliga football club Eintracht Frankfurt and a popular concert venue in itself.

“The decision in principle now finally creates the basis for starting planning and implementation,” says Frankfurt lord mayor Mike Josef. “This brings us closer to the actual goal that has been planned for this area for more than 20 years.”

The scheme, which already has planning permission, was backed by the council at a meeting on Friday (17 January) and will now be discussed in parliament before reverting to the authority for the final decision.

“We have been waiting for the construction of a multifunctional hall for over a quarter of a century”

“We have been waiting for the construction of a multifunctional hall for over a quarter of a century,” says Gunnar Wöbke, managing partner of Skyliners Frankfurt. “One of my biggest dreams in life will come true if the city council also votes yes. We can then look to the future with real optimism.”

Frankfurt’s biggest indoor live music venue is currently the 13,500-cap Festhalle. In 2019, one of Canada’s largest private firms, The Katz Group of Companies, revealed its ambition to build the largest indoor arena in Germany next to Frankfurt Airport, but the project stalled.

Separate German arena projects are also underway in Munich, where Bavaria-based developer SWMunich Real Estate is planning a 20,000-cap venue supported by more than €300 million of private sector investment, while a city council-backed 7,000-cap multipurpose complex is on the cards in Würzburg.

 


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Swedish stadium set to host first concert

A multi-purpose stadium in the city of Uppsala, Sweden, is preparing to hold its first music concert.

The 15,000-cap Studenternas football arena reopened in 2020 following a three-year renovation and will finally follow through with plans to stage gigs by welcoming Uppsala-born singer-songwriter Veronica Maggio on 6 September 2025.

The show is being staged by All Things Live in collaboration with local promoter Kaliber Live.

“Opening with an artist like Veronica Maggio sets the standard for future events in the arena,” says Kaliber Live’s Jonas Curling.

Uppsala arenas and properties also launched the 40,000-cap Polacksbacken in the city this summer

Studenternas is the home ground of Swedish professional football club IK Sirius and was named Sweden’s Sports Arena of the Year by architectural firm FOJAB in 2023.

“We strongly believe in Studenternas as a venue for larger outdoor concerts, where the audience gets close to the artist and gets a unique experience,” adds Staffan Littmarck, commercial development, Uppsala arenas and properties. “Together with organisers and partners, we want to continue promoting Uppsala as an event city.”

The company also launched the 40,000-cap Polacksbacken in the city this summer as a new venue for events and concerts, hosting the two-day Homecoming Festival in August, which featured acts such as Maggio and Zara Larsson.

“Studenternas fills a gap just below that and is a perfect complement to Polacksbacken, UKK, Fyrishov, Parksnäckan, Katalin and other scenes in Uppsala,” adds Littmarck.

 


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Sam Fender cancels remaining 2024 shows

Sam Fender has cancelled his remaining tour dates for 2024 after “haemorrhaging his right vocal cord”.

The singer-songwriter was due to play a second Glasgow show tonight (18 December) and his home city of Newcastle on Friday, in the final stint of his first UK arena tour since 2022.

In a social media post, the North Shields-born musician said he recently had the flu and investigations revealed he had haemorrhaged his right vocal cord.

Fender said he was “absolutely heartbroken” but two separate doctors had said if he performed he would be “risking lasting damage”.

The singer said he had been advised to go on vocal rest and not use his voice for a “prolonged length of time until it heals”.

Fender is due to kick off the US leg of his tour in February, before performing across Europe in the spring.

Fender said he was “absolutely heartbroken” but two separate doctors had said if he performed he would be “risking lasting damage”

Next June, the CAA-repped act will perform at the 75,000-capacity London Stadium on Friday 6 June, marking his first stadium show outside Newcastle and his biggest-ever headline show.

He’ll then return to the north for two hometown shows at Newcastle’s St. James’ Park on Thursday 12 and Saturday 14 June.

It’ll be the third and fourth time the North Shields-hailing musician has performed in his home city stadium, having sold out two nights back in 2023. He will overtake The Rolling Stones who have performed at St James’ Park on three previous occasions.

The 30-year-old has had trouble with his vocal cords previously, cancelling his 2019 tour when he had laryngitis and was concerned he could haemorrhage one of them.

“I’ve done everything by the book this tour living like a monk, it’s so unlucky,” he wrote on Instagram. “This has been the best tour so far and all I want to do is get up and sing again for you all tonight. I’m so, so sorry to all of you who are on your way tonight.”

Fender added he and his team were trying to find a way to reschedule the dates.

 


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Japan to open at least four new arenas in 2025

At least four new arenas will open in Japan next year amid a wider venue boom in the country.

The IG Arena in Nagoya (17,000), The Tokyo A-Arena (10,000), the Kobe Arena (10,000), and the Kagawa Prefectural Arena (cap. 10,000) are set to open their doors for the public in 2025.

IG Arena will open in Nagoya in summer 2025, replacing the current Aichi Arena inside Nagoya Castle, which was completed in 1964 and is now ageing. The venue’s ‘hybrid oval’ bowl will enable both oval and horseshoe bowl configurations. It is expected to be the main indoor venue for the 2026 Asian Games and will be operated by the Aichi Smart Arena Group, a consortium led by Maeda Corporation and the mobile communication giant NTT Docomo. Others in the consortium include AEG and finance firms.

It was today announced that Niterra, a Japanese manufacturer of ignition parts and vehicle electronics, has become the first ‘founding partner’ for the arena. This agreement will give Niterra the exclusive naming rights to one of the main visitor entrance gates, other branding opportunities such as permanent and digital signage within the arena, and the ability to feature its products inside the venue.

Also set to arrive next year is The Tokyo A-Arena, a 10,000-capacity space being built for the Alvark Tokyo team in the Odaiba area of the capital on the site of the Mega Web theme park. Architects are planning a highly accessible venue with facilities for disabled people at the heart of the design, plus a high-speed Wi-Fi and 5G signal. With a VIP lounge, an enormous centre screen, Sky Lounge with views over the sea, and more.

The Kobe Arena is a waterside venue expected to be capable of hosting 10,000 people. The aim of the arena’s exterior design is to depict “excitement” and “spreading its wings to the world,” according to the arena website. It will be the home of the Nishinomiya Stokes and plans to host concerts, sporting events, e-sports, and exhibitions. As well as the arena and a new hotel, the venue plans to develop an open space around the arena.

As B1 teams must attract an average attendance of 4,000 per game, several new venues will be built in time for 2027

The Kagawa Prefectural Arena (cap. 10,000) is expected to open in February 2025. Designed by SANAA, it will be the largest arena in the Chugoku and Shikoku region, and will also include a 1,000-capacity space.

These are just a handful of the new venues that will open in the next few years due to a rule change in the country’s men’s basketball leagues. As B1 teams must attract an average attendance of 4,000 per game, several new venues will be built in time for 2027.

The first was Yokohama’s K-Arena in 2023, where Sam Smith became the first overseas act to play at the 20,333-capacity venue, with Mötley Crüe, Def Leppard, TLC, and Janet Jackson succeeding the multi-genre English singer-songwriter over the following months.

This year saw the opening of the Nagasaki Stadium City, comprising a 20,000-seat stadium and a 6,000-capacity arena and offers visitors the opportunity to zip-line across the venue. It will mainly be used by the J2 V-Varen Nagasaki soccer team, who have been named the home team.

Another arena that made its debut this year is the LaLa Arena in Tokyo Bay, the new home for the Chiba Jets Funabashi basketball team. Japanese acts such as boyband Mr. Children, dance troupe The Rampage from Exile Tribe, and singer-songwriter Aimyon were the first musicians to take the stage at the newly built 10,000-capacity venue.

In autumn 2027, AEG is scheduled to open the Osaka Arena in partnership with Mitsubishi Corporation Urban Development and Kanden Realty & Development.

Located within the city’s Expo Memorial Park, the new venue will have a maximum capacity of 18,000 – which will make it the country’s second-biggest indoor arena after the Saitama – and will be part of a complex that includes a hotel and several retail blocks.

 


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