The List

AO Arena

The Manchester Arena, opened in 1995, is big: in terms of ticket sales, it's regularly in the top 5 music venues on the planet. It was designed as an American-style sports arena but it's more commonly used as a venue for massive music gigs, with the 2013 programme alone featuring Alicia Keys, Kings of Leon, Disney on Ice, Rihanna, Rush and Eric Clapton, although Peter Kay played it for a record-breaking 40 nights on a single tour in 2010--2011. The arena is managed by venue management giant SMG and features 360 degree seating with a maximum capacity of 23,000 seats, depending on the nature of the event. A variety of corporate hospitality packages are available.

What's On @ AO Arena

Peter Kay

Peter Kay

30 May 2025 - 6 Jun 2026

Peter Kay is one of Britain's best-loved comedians. His 2010 tour still officially ranks with the Guinness Book of World Records as the biggest selling comedy tour of all time.
Pete Tong Presents Ibiza Classics

Pete Tong Presents Ibiza Classics

29 May 2025 - 13 Dec 2025

DJ, broadcaster and global dance music legend Pete Tong has today announced that his critically acclaimed Ibiza Classics will return for a brand-new show in winter 2024. He will once again be joined by long time collaborator Jules Buckley and The Essential Orchestra. Special guest vocalists will be announced in the new year. Ibiza Classics has firmly cemented itself as part of the live music calendar becoming the world's most iconic orchestral electronic music event. Celebrating the legacy of dance music, the new live show will include a host of special guest DJs and singers showcasing stunning reimagines of timeless classic house tracks. Combining unique orchestration with unparalleled electronic production, ravers rejoice as it is set to be the party of the year reminiscent of the White Isle and its musical history!
The World Famous Elvis Show

The World Famous Elvis Show

30 May 2025 - 4 Apr 2026

Starring and produced by world renowned Elvis performer Chris Connor. With his 12 piece live band 'The Steels', and backing vocals by 'The Sweet Harmonies'. A magnificent 2 hour theatre production, recreating 2 popular Elvis Presley concerts. This show respectively and authentically recreates Elvis at his very best recreating 2 concerts - selling out in all theatres! You will simply feel that you have been transported back in to time. If you were not lucky enough to see Elvis live, you will walk away from this concert feeling that you have! many Elvis fans are left emotionally moved when they leave the show. There is only one Elvis Presley, however fans all around the world are talking about Chris Connor who is remarkably so very close to Elvis in both looks and voice and mannerisms.
Becky Hill

Becky Hill

8 Aug 2025 - 8 Aug 2025

The singer-songwriter from Worcestershire, who appeared in the first series of The Voice, performs house and UK Funky.
The Human League

The Human League

26 Jun 2025 - 2 Aug 2025

The Human League are a British New Wave band first formed in 1977 and, after a change in line up, achieved huge popularity in the 1980s. They have continued recording and performing through the 1990s, 2000s and today. The Human League are so credible it's incredible. In fact, they're probably more highly regarded now than they were in 1981 when they released their landmark album Dare! They're used to everyone from Madonna to Moby, Pet Shop Boys to Robbie Williams, citing them as an influence. But they're about more than esoteric infiltration there has been mainstream penetration, too, commensurate with a band who gave us the greatest ever Christmas Number 1 single with 1981/2's 'Dont You Want Me', who have had four Top 10 albums and eight Top 10 singles in the UK as well as two US Number 1 singles and sold 20 million records worldwide. Then there are the 'L' girls, the new generation of synth-driven female pop artists, who have got in on the League adoring act: La Roux is a known admirer of the electro pioneers, while Little Boots is such a fan she requested Philip Oakeys input on her debut album. Even Lady Gaga professed to be a devotee when she met them. Not surprisingly for a group who were famously described by David Bowie in 1979 as "the sound of the future", and indeed the group was once called The Future, The Human League have never been about resting on their laurels or relying on past glories to see them through. The Human League's unique quality of apartness is notable. "We're peculiar," says Susan Ann Sulley, utterly unabashed. "People think pop music is X Factor and S Club 7 and we're still hankering after a Roxy-Bowie-Donna Summer-Chic version of pop. We don't fit in. People don't quite appreciate how strange we are." Over the years, the Human League has been sampled and covered by various artists including George Michael and Robbie Williams. The band has been a huge influence for many electro-pop acts including early Depeche Mode, Madonna, Moby, and countless others.
Jimmy Carr: Laughs Funny

Jimmy Carr: Laughs Funny

24 May 2025 - 19 Dec 2025

Jimmy tells jokes, and jokes are like magnets. Jokes attract people, but they can also repel. Some people are repelled by Jimmy's dark brand of comedy. This show is not for them. But if it's the kind of thing you like, then this is the kind of thing you’ll like.
Torvill and Dean - Our Last Dance

Torvill and Dean - Our Last Dance

10 Jul 2025 - 12 Jul 2025

Torvill & Dean have announced that they will be retiring from skating together in spring 2025, when they embark on their last ever live tour: ‘Torvill & Dean: Our Last Dance’ This will be the very last chance to see the world’s most famous skating superstars in action on the ice together. The 28 date tour will travel across the UK, culminating at Glasgow’s OVO Hydro on 11 May for their final performance and their last dance. Following an invitation from the Mayor of Sarajevo to visit the city to mark the 40th anniversary of the Winter Olympics, Torvill & Dean were there four decades on reliving the memories of their iconic heart-stopping performance which had a UK television audience of 24 million people on the edge of their seats. It became one of the greatest sporting moments of the 20th Century and set a new standard for world-class figure skating. ‘Torvill & Dean: Our Last Dance’ UK Tour will be the last time that Jayne and Chris will perform on ice together, 50 years since they formed their incredible skating partnership, giving audiences one last chance to see and celebrate the iconic duo. Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean said: "Following the kind invitation from the Mayor, we are thrilled to be back in Sarajevo 40 years on from that memorable day. Returning to the city which provided such a life-changing moment for us is incredibly nostalgic and brings back so many wonderful memories. We’re also feeling very emotional as we announce our 2025 farewell tour: ‘Torvill & Dean: Our Last Dance’. Whilst we will continue to work together off the ice, this will be the final time we will skate together following our 50-year partnership. But not without celebrating one final time with all of our incredible fans across the UK, who have supported us constantly over many years. We promise to put on an amazing live show – and we really hope to see you there!”
Paul Smith - Pablo

Paul Smith - Pablo

22 May 2025 - 13 Nov 2025

Get ready to experience the jaw-aching, laugh out loud comedy that only Smith can deliver. This is Paul Smith’s biggest and funniest tour show yet, and it promises to have you rolling around in laughter with every joke. The show features a mix of his trademark audience interaction and hilarious true stories from his everyday life.
Michael Ball & Alfie Boe

Michael Ball & Alfie Boe

15 Aug 2025 - 15 Aug 2025

Two of the greatest voices in the world, Michael Ball and Alfie Boe are back doing what they love the most, but this time with an album packed full of holiday cheer! 2020 has been a year of isolation and social distancing and Michael and Alfie want to make this holiday season special, however you’re together at Christmas. The record has everything you could want from a Christmas album, and more. The pair breathe new life into favourites such as ‘It’s Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas’, ‘Silent Night’ and ‘Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas’, to name a few. Gregory Porter joins on ‘The Christmas Song’, and the duo perform the heart-warming ‘My Christmas Will Be Better Than Yours’ – a brand new original song.
Olly Murs

Olly Murs

22 May 2025 - 15 Aug 2025

Since bursting onto the music scene as the runner-up on the 2009 series of The X Factor, pop singer and songwriter Olly Murs has achieved an incredible amount of success.
Kylie Minogue

Kylie Minogue

22 May 2025 - 6 Jun 2025

Kylie Minogue belongs to that upper echelon of pop royalty, one of those select few whose reputation and contribution to music is understood just by uttering her first name. Rightfully going by just Kylie in recent years, Australia's highest-selling recording artist of all time continues to reinvent herself, releasing her electropop-tastic 16th studio album Tension in 2023 as well as embarking on her first ever Las Vegas residency.
The Lumineers

The Lumineers

22 May 2025 - 29 May 2025

Behind the smash hit "Ho Hey," Denver trio the Lumineers broke through in 2012 to become one of the leading lights of the indie folk movement. Over the next several years, they found widespread success due to their spirited live shows and organic blend of rock, folk, and Americana styles. Their multi-platinum, Grammy-nominated debut The Lumineers paved the way for the chart-topping 2016 follow-up Cleopatra and 2022's sprightly Brightside.
Bryan Adams

Bryan Adams

18 Jun 2025 - 21 Jun 2025

The multi platinum-selling Canadian rocker tours the UK in 2025 For most people, a No.1 hit like (Everything I Do) I Do It For You would define their entire career. For Canadian rocker Bryan Adams, it’s possibly not even his most popular song. Pre-worldwide chart domination with the theme song from Robin Hood: Prince Of Thieves, Adams was already a stadium-packing megastar, no small thanks to a string of radio-friendly hits including Run To You, Heaven and Summer Of ’69. The new millennium found Adams still a reliable draw at home and abroad, scoring three No.1 albums in Canada and two No.2 albums in the UK. Following the covers album, Tracks Of My Tears, and the Jeff Lynne-produced Get Up, Adams released Shine A Light, his 14th studio album, in 2019, followed by So Happy It Hurts in 2022, which topped the UK Independent Album Charts and earned a Grammy nomination for its lead single. In 2024, Adams announced a new album and a new world tour, bringing Roll With The Punches to UK arenas in May 2025.
Marti Pellow - Pellow Talk: The Lost Chapter
Former Wet Wet Wet frontman turned hugely successful solo artist and stage performer Born Mark McLachlan in Clydebank in 1965, Marti Pellow formed Wet Wet Wet when he was only 17. The band went on to score huge hits in the UK and further afield with Wishing I Was Lucky, Goodnight Girl, A Little Help From My Friends, Sweet Little Mystery and more. However, it was their cover of The Troggs Love Is All Around, taken from the soundtrack to Four Weddings And A Funeral, that would etch their names into the record books, staying at No.1 for 15 weeks and selling almost two million copies.
The Wombats

The Wombats

29 May 2025 - 11 Dec 2025

Perky Scousers known for indie rock hits 'Let's Dance to Joy Division' and 'Moving To New York'.
Busted vs McFly

Busted vs McFly

6 Jun 2025 - 6 Nov 2025

Busted and McFly go head to head Pop rock legends Busted stormed the stage at McFly’s sold out 21st birthday headline show at the iconic O2 Arena in London to announce they will be going head to head on tour together in 2025! The Busted vs McFly Tour will see the two groups visit some of the UK’s biggest and best venues.
The Offspring

The Offspring

10 Nov 2025 - 18 Nov 2025

Californian quartet The Offspring were uniquely positioned to take advantage of the grunge boom of the early to mid ’90s. Though usually labeled as a punk band, over the course of their self-titled 1989 debut and 1993’s Ignition, Dexter Holland (vocals), Noodles (guitar), Greg Wiesel (bass) and Ron Welty (who replaced founding member James Lilja on drums) displayed a metal crunch and precision that set them aside from their peers.
Premier League Darts

Premier League Darts

22 May 2025 - 29 May 2025

The 2025 Premier League will be staged on Thursday nights from February until May, as the sport’s top stars - including reigning champion Luke Littler and world number one Luke Humphries - battle it out for the coveted title and £1m in prize money. The race for Play-Off qualification will intensify in April, with further league nights to be held in Berlin, Manchester, Rotterdam and Liverpool, before the season draws to a close in May. Dress Code: The PDC and Sky Sports encourage the public to engage themselves in the fun nature of the event and therefore fancy dress in permitted, although no imitation weapons, inflatables or political or religious dress will be allowed. Football club colours or politically insensitive costumes of any description are not permitted into the venue and members of the public arriving in team colours will be refused admission until they have changed. National team colours are permitted of the home country.
Les Miserables

Les Miserables

22 May 2025 - 27 Mar 2026

Les Misérables follows the heart-warming and heart-breaking story of a man wrongly accused and imprisoned who escapes and sets about creating a new life for himself. On this journey, pursued by a dogged inspector throughout, he encounters both good and evil, and even finds love. Seen by more than 70 million people in 44 countries and in 22 languages around the globe, it is still breaking box-office records everywhere in its 31st year.
Darius Rucker

Darius Rucker

29 Sept 2025 - 5 Oct 2025

Darius Rucker is an American singer-songwriter and lead singer of award-winning rock band Hootie & the Blowfish. Darius Rucker is a renowned performer in many genres, including rock, RnB, and country. His C2C tour promises many well-loved country favourites, as well as hits from his five country albums. In 2017, Rucker was chosen as one of 30 artists to perform on a medley track, Forever Country, to celebrate 50 years of the Country Music Awards. He has also recently released the album When Was the Last Time, which debuted at number 2 on Top Country Albums.
Katy Perry

Katy Perry

4 Oct 2025 - 14 Oct 2025

Today, one the best-selling music artists of all time, Katy Perry announces The Lifetimes Tour is coming to the UK in October 2025. In what will no doubt be a spectacular career-spanning run of live shows, including all the hits from across her multi-million selling albums, The Lifetimes Tour sees the global pop superstar perform in cities across the UK, opening in Glasgow on the 7th of October at the OVO Hydro continuing through to Manchester, Sheffield, Birmingham, and finally culminating with a date at London’s O2 Arena on 13th October.
Deacon Blue

Deacon Blue

19 Sept 2025 - 11 Oct 2025

Deacon Blue are a Scottish pop rock band formed in Glasgow during 1985. The line-up of the band consists of vocalists Ricky Ross and Lorraine McIntosh, keyboard player James Prime and drummer Dougie Vipond. The band released their debut album, Raintown, on 1 May 1987 in the United Kingdom and in the United States in February 1988
PAW Patrol Live

PAW Patrol Live

21 Jun 2025 - 24 Oct 2025

Mayor Goodway is getting everything shipshape for a big Pirate Day celebration in Adventure Bay. However, when Cap’n Turbot falls into a dark and mysterious cavern, it’s PAW Patrol to the rescue! Chase, Marshall, Rubble, Skye, Rocky and Zuma save Cap'n Turbot and discover a secret pirate treasure map that leads them on an epic adventure. Over land and across the high seas, the pups set out to find the treasure for Mayor Goodway so the celebration can go on. Things get ruff when Mayor Humdinger wants to find the treasure first for Foggy Bottom. The pups need all paws on deck for this pirate adventure, including help from the newest pup who’s all ears…Tracker! Using their heroic rescue skills, problem solving and teamwork, the pups set sail to save the day. No job is too big, no pirate pup is too small.
Nelly

Nelly

4 Jun 2025 - 9 Jun 2025

Cornell Iral Haynes, Jr., better known by his stage name Nelly, is an American rapper whose debut album Country Grammar (2000) became a huge hit. The record went platinum nine times over in the United States and debuted at No. 3 on the Billboard 200 chart. It peaked at No. 1 on the album chart, and the first single, also called "Country Grammar," reached No. 7 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart and No. 1 on the rap chart.
Hauser

Hauser

27 Nov 2025 - 29 Nov 2025

With his take on Albinoni’s Adagio alone having racked up over 40 million YouTube views, the Croatian cellist is a genuine internet phenomenon. Hauser will bring his distinctive passion and dynamism to a programme of music close to his heart. Each piece contains a special drama, moving melody or deep romanticism just waiting to be reimagined in Hauser’s inimitable style.
Cirque Wicked Wizard of Oz

Cirque Wicked Wizard of Oz

25 Oct 2025 - 30 Dec 2025

Combining the magic of cirque with the charm of a classic tale, this breathtaking production promises an unforgettable experience for audiences of all ages. Join arena stars Jordan Conway (Elf – The Arena Spectacular) as the hilarious Scarecrow and Kelly Banlaki as Dorothy as they embark on a thrilling adventure over the rainbow. Along the way, they encounter a cowardly lion too afraid to tackle the high wire and a towering ten-foot tin-man transformer. Together, they journey to meet the wickedly wacky wizard, portrayed by the incomparable Kev Orkian, who presides over the magical Emerald Circus. The journey leads them through an enchanted forest filled with daring aerial stunts and special effects as they prepare to confront the green-faced, broomstick-flying Wicked Witch and her mischievous flying monkeys. Featuring a cast of 60, stunning aerial artistry, and world-class production, Cirque Wicked Wizard of Oz promises a jaw-dropping spectacle that blends the excitement of panto with the thrills of the circus.
Kool and the Gang

Kool and the Gang

11 Jul 2025 - 11 Jul 2025

Get down on it with the long-established American funk and soul band, who have sold over 70 million albums worldwide, won two coveted Grammy Awards and influenced three generations of music. Their groovy, hit-laden set in the capital will doubtless include the fan favourites Celebration, Cherish, Jungle Boogie, Open Sesame and Summer Madness.
Disturbed

Disturbed

20 Oct 2025 - 28 Oct 2025

Colliding bone-crushing riffs with soaring melodies and one of the most instantly recognisable voices in modern metal, Disturbed have spent over two decades at the forefront of heavy music. Led by commanding frontman David Draiman, whose guttural growls and signature baritone bellows have become spine-tingling markers of the band’s unique sound, the Chicago quartet have made it their mission to redefine what it means to make heavy music. Crafting a legacy built on a foundation of both aggression and vulnerability, their melodic take on the genre has seen them swerve clear of all trends. Their sound flirting with nu-metal, groove-metal, hard rock and industrial influences whilst never fully committing to one lane, a refusal to settle has seen Disturbed cement themselves as one of the most influential forces in the game.
Five

Five

29 Oct 2025 - 30 Nov 2025

The hugely successful British boy band Five hit the road again. Through the late '90s and early '00s the band enjoyed incredible success worldwide, selling over 20 million records and bagging 11 top 10 singles, four top 10 platinum albums in the UK, selling out arena tours, and picking up a host of huge awards along the way, too.
Madness

Madness

13 Jul 2025 - 20 Dec 2025

Nutty ska-revivalists and 80s pop titans led by the inimitable Suggs. Madness may have been at the forefront of the late ’70s ska revival, but the band quickly moved beyond the constraints of two-tone. By the time the ’80s were in full swing, their embrace of everything from Motown to pure pop had made them one of the biggest British bands of their time. Madness’s earliest days were as ska band The Invaders, formed in 1976 by Lee Thompson, Mike Barson and Chris Foreman. With the addition of Graham McPherson (aka Suggs), Mark Bedford, Dan Woodgate and Chas Smith, the band changed their name to Morris And The Minors before finally settling on Madness in 1978.
Bastille

Bastille

5 Nov 2025 - 18 Nov 2025

Founded as a solo project by singer-songwriter Dan Smith, Bastille took root in London in 2010. After arriving home from university and having nothing much to do, his mum came across a flyer for drum lessons. The teacher turned out to be drummer Chris “Woody” Wood who agreed to join Smith at some gigs. The pair soon decided to bring keyboardist Kyle Simmons and bassist Will Farquarson on board. Their name came from Bastille Day, which not only marks the start of the French Revolution but also happens to be Smith’s birthday.
Volbeat

Volbeat

5 Nov 2025 - 13 Nov 2025

Volbeat is a Danish heavy metal band formed in Copenhagen in 2001 by former Dominus vocalist Michael Poulsen. They are known for blending heavy metal with elements of rock and roll, incorporating influences from classic rock and punk.
Steve Backshall

Steve Backshall

24 Oct 2025 - 2 Nov 2025

Adventurer, natural history TV Presenter, public speaker and author. Steve’s ever-growing passion for the big wild natural world started as a child and continues to this day, as his adventures into the unexplored continue.
Scottish Masters

Scottish Masters

5 Sept 2025 - 14 Nov 2025

Scottish footballing legends from Aberdeen, Celtic, Dundee United and Rangers will compete head-to-head as the Scottish Masters Football, an action-packed six-a-side indoor tournament. Scottish Masters Football was formed in 2000 and became a fixture on our screens where ex-footballers could regroup, pull on their team colours and embark on a legends’ competitive kick-about. Some 15 arenas have hosted the tournament over the past 11 years, with more than 1,500 ex-professional footballers playing in The Masters series since inception. Formed from squads of eight for each game and with six players on the pitch at one time, the event will feature a round robin format, with each match lasting 16 minutes across two halves. The two squads with the highest points will then face off and play a grand final match. The full squads of all four Scottish Masters teams will be announced in due course, but fans will be excited to learn that the Aberdeen team will be captained by Russell Anderson, Dundee United by Willo Flood, Celtic by Stiliyan Petrov and Rangers by Barry Ferguson.
Calum Scott

Calum Scott

9 Aug 2025 - 21 Nov 2025

Calum captured the attention of the nation when he became Simon Cowell’s ‘Golden Buzzer’ pick on Britain’s Got Talent, putting him straight through to the live finals of the show. Not just another TV talent show hopeful, Scott is a real, formidable artist who has already proved he has instant likability, a fervent fan base as well as staying power. In early 2016 he self-released his version of Dancing On My Own (recorded in his bedroom and the same track he sang for the Star Search final) which­ instantly shot up the Spotify charts becoming No.1 on iTunes in 11 countries and top 5 in 32 countries and spending 10 weeks in the top 5 in the UK singles chart. Now a rare British signing to the legendary Capitol Records, he has performed around the world, including at the closing ceremony of the Paralympics in Rio.
Gladiators

Gladiators

1 Nov 2025 - 21 Dec 2025

Get ready for the ultimate action-packed experience, as Gladiators Live Tour makes its global debut in arenas across the UK for the very first time in 2025. Featuring the new stars of the UK TV series Gladiators, the live show will be a spectacular, high-octane two-hour show with all the fan-favourite events and the ultimate Eliminator. Following the incredible resurgence of one of the UK’s most beloved franchises, this brand-new live show for all the family promises non-stop excitement. It will feature fast-paced entertainment showcasing the legendary athleticism and thrilling stunts of the iconic Gladiators, as well as contenders from series one and two returning to face their nemeses. With purpose-built sets crafted to immerse audiences and state-of-the-art lighting that transforms the arena into a gladiatorial battleground, this is a live experience like no other. Gladiators Live Tour is a groundbreaking live event that propels the iconic Gladiators brand into a new era, offering a fresh and exhilarating experience for fans. Brilliantly condensed into two hours of action, the show will bring the thrilling action directly to fans across the UK. Ending with the legendary Eliminator, the show will be one to remember.
Motionless In White

Motionless In White

5 Feb 2026 - 14 Feb 2026

In 2006, Motionless In White materialized out of Scranton, PA with an inimitable conjuration of sharp metallic rock, nocturnal industrial, magnetic melodies, and larger-than-life visual imagery. The quintet—Chris Motionless [Vocals], Ricky Olson [Guitar], Ryan Sitkowski [guitar], Vinny Mauro [drums], and Justin Morrow [bass]—quietly clawed their way to the forefront of hard rock, gathering nearly half-a-billion cumulative streams and views to date.
Halestorm

Halestorm

20 Nov 2025 - 26 Nov 2025

Halestorm are an American hard rock band from Red Lion, Pennsylvania. Featuring lead vocalist and guitarist Lzzy Hale.
WWE Live

WWE Live

23 Aug 2025 - 28 Aug 2025

All your favourite WWE Superstars live in action WWE is known for the unique way it blends sport and entertainment, combining in-ring match action with both the drama of a soap opera and the energy of a rock concert.
Wolf Alice

Wolf Alice

28 Nov 2025 - 7 Dec 2025

In order for art to honestly reflect life, the mirror should be multi-dimensional. That’s the way the looking glass works for Wolf Alice. “You go through every single day feeling different things all the time,” asserts vocalist and guitarist Ellie Rowsell. “So, if an album reflects life, shouldn’t it mirror all of those extremes? If you read a collection of short stories, you don’t want them to be simply about the same people or topics. You want to follow sadness with happiness to feel better. It should be the same for music.” That’s a mindset she shares with her bandmates Joff Oddie [guitar], Joel Amey [drums], and Theo Ellis [bass]. The group’s multi-page musical palette embraces everything from ethereal electronics and lithe, lush melodies to buzzing distortion and towering feedback, reaching from the heart to the heavens. It’s a striking sonic patchwork that’s quickly established the London quartet as a vibrant voice.

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