The O2 Arena sits at the heart of The O2 entertainment complex on the Greenwich Peninsula in south-east London, and has held the title of the world’s busiest live entertainment arena for much of its existence. Opened on 24 June 2007 with a Bon Jovi concert, the 20,000-capacity venue occupies the iconic white dome structure that previously served as the Millennium Dome, transforming a one-time symbol of national celebration into one of the planet’s premier music destinations.
Since welcoming its first audiences, The O2 Arena has attracted more than 100 million visitors and sold over 30 million tickets. In 2024 alone, over 2.6 million arena tickets were sold — a record-breaking figure that cemented its reputation as the go-to stage for the world’s biggest artists, from Beyoncé and Adele to The Rolling Stones and Taylor Swift.
Stats at a Glance
- Location: Greenwich Peninsula, London, England
- Type: Indoor multi-purpose arena
- Opened: 24 June 2007
- Capacity: 20,000
- Architect: HOK Sport (now Populous)
- Famous for: World’s busiest live entertainment arena; 2.6 million tickets sold in 2024
- Total visitors: Over 100 million since opening
Nights to Remember: Landmark Performances
The O2 Arena established its legend quickly. Prince performed 21 consecutive nights during his ‘The Earth Tour’ residency in the venue’s opening year of 2007, a feat of stamina and showmanship that signalled this was no ordinary arena. Beyoncé, Adele, Ed Sheeran, and The Rolling Stones have each staged multiple sold-out residencies here, returning again and again to a stage that consistently delivers the scale their fanbases demand.
Perhaps no story better illustrates The O2’s magnetism than Michael Jackson’s planned ‘This Is It’ comeback residency — a run of 50 shows that sold out in hours. Jackson’s death in June 2009 prevented those concerts from happening, but the fact that no other venue in the world was seriously considered for that historic return speaks volumes about The O2 Arena’s standing in live music.
More Than a Music Venue
During the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, The O2 Arena operated as the North Greenwich Arena, hosting gymnastics and basketball competitions. That ability to reinvent itself extends year-round: the venue has staged world championship boxing, record-breaking darts finals, and the 2024 League of Legends World Championship Finals, where a sold-out crowd of 14,700 watched T1 claim the title — while the broadcast simultaneously set an esports viewership record with a peak of 6.9 million concurrent viewers worldwide.
The arena anchors a wider entertainment district complete with restaurants, bars, a cinema, and the Up at The O2 rooftop climbing experience. North Greenwich station on the Jubilee Line puts it within easy reach of central London, and the combination of world-class headliners and surrounding amenities keeps millions of visitors coming through its doors every year.
Explore more: Live Music venues.
The O2 Arena FAQs
Where is The O2 Arena located?
The O2 Arena is located on the Greenwich Peninsula in south-east London, England. The nearest transport link is North Greenwich station on the Jubilee Line of the London Underground.
How many people can The O2 Arena hold?
The O2 Arena has a capacity of up to 20,000, making it one of the largest indoor arenas in the UK and consistently the world’s busiest by annual ticket sales.
When did The O2 Arena open?
The O2 Arena opened on 24 June 2007 with a Bon Jovi concert — the first event open to the general public — inside the structure of the former Millennium Dome.
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Photo: Heuschrecke / CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.