OVO Arena Wembley — still known to many simply as Wembley Arena — is one of the UK’s most celebrated indoor venues, sitting beside Wembley Stadium in northwest London. With a capacity of 12,500, it is Greater London’s second-largest indoor arena and one of the busiest in Europe, hosting well over 100 shows a year.
Originally opened on 25 July 1934 as the Empire Pool for the British Empire Games, the arena has carried several names — Empire Pool, then Wembley Arena, then SSE Arena Wembley — before becoming OVO Arena Wembley in 2022 following a naming rights deal with British energy company OVO. Its Grade II listed concrete arches, engineered by Sir Owen Williams, remain one of London’s most distinctive structural feats.
Quick Answer
OVO Arena Wembley — the venue long known as Wembley Arena — holds a maximum capacity of 12,500 for concerts, making it Greater London’s second-largest indoor arena after The O2.
It’s called OVO Arena Wembley because British energy company OVO bought the naming rights in 2022, taking over from previous sponsor SSE. It is a completely separate building from the 90,000-seat Wembley Stadium next door.
Best Seats at OVO Arena Wembley: Floor vs Lower Bowl vs Upper Tier
A capacity of 12,500 tells you the arena is compact, but not where to sit. The biggest decision is the floor. Fans and seating guides consistently report that the floor is flat rather than raked, so the further back you are, the less you see. The layout also changes by event: the floor can be standing, fully seated or cleared, so check which setup your show uses. When it’s set up for a concert, the front of the floor is excellent because you’re close to the stage at a fairly intimate scale. Mid-to-back floor is the riskiest ticket in the building for a standing concert. Once the crowd stands, you’re mostly watching the people in front of you.
For most people the central lower bowl is the better buy. You sit above the standing crowd with the whole stage in view, and you’re still close enough to feel part of the show. Fan reports also single out the front rows of the lower side bays, where a barrier in front of you keeps the view clear, as some of the best seats in the room. The exact blocks and sightlines depend on the event’s staging, so check the plan for your specific show before you buy.
The upper tier is better than its reputation, mainly because the arena is small. Guides describe the central, front upper-bowl rows as strong value, with even the upper bowl feeling relatively close to the action. The far-end bays are a different story: they feel remote, and a stripped-back production can leave you feeling distant from the stage. Choose central upper over far-end lower whenever you have the option. If you like the idea of a smaller room altogether, the Eventim Apollo in Hammersmith is another London venue worth comparing. Wembley next door is a different beast entirely; see our guide to the original Wembley Stadium for the stadium side of the story.
- Standing floor: commit to getting in early for a front-of-floor spot. If you can’t, a seated lower-bowl ticket is usually the smarter buy than a mid-floor one.
- Because the floor is flat, being tall or short changes your night more here than in a raked bowl. Short of a front-of-floor spot, don’t rely on standing on the floor for a view.
- Pick central over close: a central upper-bowl seat usually beats a lower-bowl seat at the far end of the room.
- Look up the seating plan for your specific date. The floor can be standing, seated or cleared, and staging changes which seats have a view.
- If Wembley Park station looks overwhelming after the show, Wembley Central is a longer walk but a common pressure valve for the crowds.
- Skip driving if you can. Event-day road closures are common and the car parks are shared with Wembley Stadium.
OVO Arena Wembley Capacity: How Many People Does It Hold?
OVO Arena Wembley has a maximum capacity of 12,500. This is the concert capacity — the total number of people the venue can accommodate for live music events, combining the tiered seating bowl with the main floor. It is Greater London’s second-largest indoor arena after The O2, and one of the largest indoor arenas in the UK.
For concerts, the arena’s uninterrupted floor space can be configured as a standing pit or fully seated, depending on the event format. This flexibility allows the venue to host everything from sold-out arena-rock shows with a lively standing crowd to seated theatre-style performances. Because capacity varies slightly by configuration, always check the specific seating plan for your event on the venue’s ticketing page.
For corporate and conference events the configuration changes: the auditorium can be set out in theatre-style seating, banqueting rounds, or a standing reception, each holding fewer people than the full 12,500 concert capacity. But for the concerts and live entertainment the venue is famous for, the answer is straightforward — OVO Arena Wembley’s capacity is 12,500.
Is OVO Arena the Same as Wembley Arena?
Yes. OVO Arena and Wembley Arena are the same building — just different names from different eras. Many fans, ticket resellers, and even sat-nav apps still refer to it as “Wembley Arena,” the name it carried from 1978 until its 2014 rebrand. If your ticket says OVO Arena Wembley, Wembley Arena, or SSE Arena Wembley, you’re heading to the same 12,500-capacity indoor venue.
It’s also worth being clear about what it isn’t: OVO Arena Wembley is not Wembley Stadium. The two sit next to each other, share the HA9 postcode and the Wembley Park tube station, and are frequently confused by first-time visitors — but the stadium is the 90,000-seat open-air national football ground, while the arena is the smaller indoor venue used for concerts, comedy, and indoor sport.
When Was Wembley Arena Built?
Construction on what would become OVO Arena Wembley began in November 1933, and the building was completed in a remarkable nine months by a team of approximately 800 workers. It opened on 25 July 1934 as the Empire Pool and Sports Arena, purpose-built to host swimming events at the 1934 British Empire Games.
The venue was designed by engineer Sir Owen Williams — notably without a traditional architect — who created a reinforced concrete structure with three hinged arches spanning 240 feet (73 metres). At the time of construction, this was the largest concrete span of any similar structure in the world. The swimming pool itself measured 200 feet long and 60 feet wide, with a removable deck installed for ice skating in the off-season.
The building received Grade II listed status in October 1976, protecting its iconic arched structure. After a 14-month closure, a £35 million refurbishment was completed in April 2006 — the venue reopened with a concert by Depeche Mode. Today it operates largely as it has for nine decades, hosting concerts and events beneath the same extraordinary arches that defined it at its founding.
Why Is It Called OVO Arena Wembley?
The arena has carried several names across its history, and each change reflects a different chapter in its life. It opened in 1934 as the Empire Pool, built for swimming and diving at the British Empire Games. It was renamed Wembley Arena in February 1978, a name it kept for over three decades as it became one of Britain’s premier concert venues.
It became SSE Arena Wembley in June 2014, when energy company SSE purchased the naming rights for a 10-year deal. In 2022, British energy company OVO took over those naming rights, and the venue was rebranded as OVO Arena Wembley — the name it carries today. OVO Energy is one of the UK’s largest domestic energy suppliers, and the naming partnership includes a commitment to sustainability, with the arena working toward greener-venue accreditation as part of the agreement.
Despite its commercial rebrands over the decades, the venue’s Grade II listed status protects the physical structure regardless of what name it holds — which is exactly why so many longtime Londoners still call it Wembley Arena out of habit.
Decades of Legendary Performances
The arena held its first concert in 1959, but it was the 1960s that truly cemented its musical legacy. The NME Poll Winners’ Concerts brought The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, and The Who to the stage in a series of era-defining performances. Led Zeppelin, Queen, and Pink Floyd — who performed here nine times across the 1970s and 1980s — became among the venue’s most iconic headliners. David Bowie and Tina Turner also graced the famous arched stage during this era.
The 1990s saw the arena pioneer a new format entirely: it hosted the UK’s first-ever arena comedy show in 1993, a milestone that helped establish arena comedy as a mainstream live category. Pop acts returned repeatedly too — Boyzone performed here 20 times and Take That 15 times across the decade. ABBA, Madonna, and Diana Ross brought their global spectacles to the stage, adding to an already extraordinary roll call.
Today the arena remains one of the most sought-after stops on any major world tour, and it was recognised as Best Indoor Venue at the Access All Areas Awards 2025 — underscoring its standing at the top of UK live entertainment.
Olympic History and the Empire Pool Legacy
OVO Arena Wembley holds the rare distinction of having supported three separate international multi-sport events. It was built for the 1934 British Empire Games, then returned to competition for the 1948 London Olympics, hosting boxing, diving, swimming, and water polo. Decades later, the arena was pressed into Olympic service again for the 2012 London Olympics, this time hosting badminton and rhythmic gymnastics — making it one of the few venues in the world to have contributed to two separate Olympic Games.
Planning Your Visit
OVO Arena Wembley sits a short walk from Wembley Park underground station (Zone 4), served by the Metropolitan and Jubilee lines — from the station, follow the crowds down Olympic Way, go under the tunnel, and the arena is on the right just before you reach Wembley Stadium. Wembley Central station is a slightly longer walk and offers an alternative if Wembley Park is busy on event nights.
Ticket prices vary considerably by event, artist, and seating tier — floor standing, tiered seating, and premium packages are typically priced separately, and doors, box office hours, and bag policies also vary by show. Because these details change event to event, always check the current schedule and buy directly through the official OVO Arena Wembley website, which lists up-to-date opening times, ticket links, seating plans, and accessibility information for every event.
Bag Policy
Bags larger than 30 x 40 x 20 cm (approx. A3) are not permitted. Other bags that can be worn on the back must not exceed 30 x 20 x 20 cm (approx. A4). Backpacks and rucksacks of any kind are not permitted, regardless of size. There is no clear-bag requirement stated on the official page, and no small-clutch exception is mentioned. For oversized bags, the venue does not provide on-site storage and instead recommends the external service Stasher to find storage in the local area. On-site e-lockers can be hired in advance or on the day (subject to availability) in two sizes: medium (25 x 23 x 50 cm) and large (25 x 37 x 50 cm). All guests pass through the venue's Evolv Technology security screening system, which uses AI to scan people in real-time.
Size limit: 30 x 40 x 20 cm (approx. A3) maximum for bags generally; 30 x 20 x 20 cm (approx. A4) for other bags worn on the back; backpacks/rucksacks of any kind are prohibited regardless of size. Source: Official bag policy (ovoarena.co.uk) (checked October 2026). Policies change, so confirm before you go.
Bags that fit these rules: Water-Resistant Festival Belt Bag, Two-Way Zipper Belt Bag. As an Amazon Associate, ThrillZing earns from qualifying purchases.
OVO Arena Wembley capacity and history FAQs
What is the capacity of OVO Arena Wembley?
OVO Arena Wembley has a maximum concert capacity of 12,500, making it Greater London’s second-largest indoor arena after The O2.
What is Wembley Arena’s capacity?
Wembley Arena and OVO Arena Wembley are the same venue, so the capacity is the same: 12,500 for concerts.
Why is it called OVO Arena Wembley?
British energy company OVO bought the venue’s naming rights in 2022, taking over from previous sponsor SSE. The building itself has existed since 1934, when it opened as the Empire Pool.
Is OVO Arena the same as Wembley Arena?
Yes. It’s the same 12,500-capacity indoor venue; Wembley Arena was simply its name from 1978 to 2014, before it became SSE Arena Wembley and then OVO Arena Wembley.
Is OVO Arena Wembley the same as Wembley Stadium?
No. They are next-door neighbours that share a postcode and tube station, but OVO Arena Wembley is a 12,500-capacity indoor arena, while Wembley Stadium is the separate 90,000-seat open-air football stadium.
How do I get tickets and check event times for OVO Arena Wembley?
Ticket prices, doors times, and seating configurations vary by event, so the most reliable source is the official OVO Arena Wembley website, which lists current listings, ticket links, and visitor information.
What are the best seats at OVO Arena Wembley?
For most concerts, the central lower bowl is the best value, since you sit above the standing crowd with a clear view of the whole stage. The front of the floor is also excellent if your show has a standing floor and you can get near the stage. Fans also rate the front rows of the lower side bays highly. Layouts vary by event, so check the seating plan for your date.
Is standing on the floor at OVO Arena Wembley worth it?
Only if you can get near the front. The floor is flat, so once the crowd stands, mid-to-back floor spots offer very little view. If you can’t commit to arriving early, a seated lower-bowl ticket is the safer choice.
Are the upper tier seats at OVO Arena Wembley any good?
Often, yes. Because the arena is compact, guides describe the central, front upper-bowl rows as strong value with a good view of the full stage. The far-end bays feel more distant, so favor central upper seats over off-center ones. Ticket prices vary by event, so compare the upper tier against the floor and lower bowl for your specific date.
Is OVO Arena Wembley a good venue for a first arena gig?
Yes. At 12,500 it’s a manageable size compared with London’s biggest arena, and most seats give a decent view. Buy central, plan your route home in advance, and avoid mid-floor at a standing show unless you can get near the front.
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