The operating company for the new live entertainment complex in Brabazon has announced that insurer Aviva will be the partner for Bristol’s 20,000 capacity indoor arena, one of Europe’s most ambitious live entertainment venues.
The multi-million-pound sponsorship agreement secures naming rights for the venue, which will be known as Aviva Arena when it opens in late 2028. It will be one of the largest venues in the country and a first of its kind for the West of England. An estimated 1.4 million people are expected to attend live music, sports and entertainment at Aviva Arena each year.
Singer-songwriter Tom Grennan lit up the naming – rights launch at Aerospace Bristol, delivering a six-song set beneath Concorde.
The performance played out to a packed audience gathered beneath the wings of aviation history.
Work has commenced to transform the Brabazon hangars, birthplace of the UK’s Concorde supersonic jets, into a live entertainment destination. The entire complex, YTL Live, will house Aviva Arena in the central and largest of the three hangars, as well as a conference and exhibition space, and is expected to contribute an estimated £1 billion to the wider Bristol economy over the first decade of operation.
The project will create more than 2,000 jobs during construction, with up to a further 500 permanent roles once the arena is open.
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.
“Tom Grennan was the perfect star to help launch the Aviva Arena. As an arena-filling artist in his own right, he set 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.”
Colin Skellett, CEO of YTL UK Group, added: “Securing Aviva as the naming partner for the arena marks a defining moment in our journey to create one of Europe’s most exciting live entertainment destinations. We are proud to be bringing the Brabazon Hangars back to life for a new generation.”
Aviva Arena will usher in a new era for live entertainment in the wider Bristol region and deliver a state-of-the-art venue for artists, audiences and the city alike.