Manchester’s Co-op Live arena is celebrating its first anniversary since opening – with news it has just become the top venue in UK and Europe with over 115 MILLION dollars worth of gross ticket sales.
Opening officially in May 2024, Co-op Live has today been named the No.1 venue for gross ticket sales in the UK and Europe, according to newly-published data by music industry site Pollstar.
The $115,557,164 made between May 2024 up to April 30, 2025 mean that in the first year of operation Co-op Live has become the number one in Europe – surpassing both The O2 in London and the Movie Star Arena in Madrid in terms of gross revenues generated from ticket sales.
The Manchester venue is the UK’s biggest indoor arena with capacity for up to 23,500. And bosses have today confirmed that in the arena’s first 12 months of operation, it sold over one million tickets after hosting 105 events.
The opening year for the venue included 12 UK arena exclusives, including performances by global artists like the Eagles, Pearl Jam, Paul McCartney and Burna Boy.
Bosses have announced a further 150 events including upcoming UK arena exclusive show runs from Chris Brown and Morrissey, and multi-night performances by Billie Eilish and Tyler The Creator.
Co-op Live will celebrate its anniversary this month with another UK arena exclusive – with a run of shows by Bruce Springsteen across May 14 – 20.
The arena, built next to Manchester City’s Etihad Stadium, was designed with music in mind – and boasts an immersive bowl design with what are billed as “next generation acoustics”.
It has been praised on stage by a number of artists who have performed there, including Liam Gallagher, Take That’s Gary Barlow and most recently Burna Boy who hailed its “big stadium energy.”
(Image: Gary Oakley/Manchester Evening News)
In its first year the arena also hosted the MTV EMAs for the first time ever in Manchester, which was watched by a global TV audience of millions.
The Pollstar report, published to the American market on Wednesday, also highlighted the top grossing concerts in dollars during Co-op Live’s first year.
It said that Paul McCartney’s two December shows grossed a whopping $5,496,485, while Pearl Jam’s sold out show in June 2024 grossed $2,408,823.
It added that Sabrina Carpenter’s two March gigs made $3,530,377. Other highlights mentioned were the two sold out concerts from Manchester homecoming heroes Courteeners in November, and Charli XCX’s sold out show the same month.
(Image: PA)
Opening as Europe’s first all-electric arena, Co-op Live has celebrated Net Zero building status since opening, and aims to become one of the first carbon neutral venue outside of the United States.
Bosses have encouraged concert-goers to travel sustainably, and say over 40 per cent of visitors this year have arrived either by tram or by foot using the CityLink walking route.
Tim Leiweke, Oak View Group CEO & Chairman, said: “Our ambition was to bring the world’s best music arena to one of the world’s greatest music cities and we are thrilled with the reaction from fans and artists alike over this past year.
“Co-op Live’s revolutionary acoustics investment has already attracted some of the world’s biggest artists and events to Manchester, with many more to come. And our sustainability commitment will ensure we remain responsible contributors to Manchester and the planet for years to come.
“We believe that amazing venues can transform cities for the better, and Co-op Live has done just that.”
(Image: Jason Roberts /Manchester Evening News)
Co-op Live’s General Manager, Guy Dunstan, welcomed the report and told the M.E.N.: “Now a year in we’re top of the Pollstar rankings, and we’ve demonstrated through the feedback from artists and audiences coming into the venue, that we’re at the forefront of the marketplace.
“We’re seeing that recognition in the industry too – but anyone coming in to this venue can see what a great job we’re doing.
“We’ve got a venue here that not only the city of Manchester can be proud of, but that the UK can be proud of as well. Because the UK is competing with all the other international markets and the stronger arenas we have in the UK market means we can continue to bring these international acts into Co-op Live.”
(Image: Jason Roberts /Manchester Evening News)
Bev Craig, Leader of Manchester Council, also welcomed the news. She said: “We are delighted with the success of Co-op Live’s first year, and to see it taking the top spot off London.
“It shows Manchester is the home of live music in the UK, with Co-op Live bringing so many exclusives from artists like Bruce Springsteen to the city and with Oasis playing massive hometown shows this summer 2025 is going to be one of the biggest ever for our city’s music scene.”
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