OVO Arena Wembley is one of the UK’s most storied live music venues, sitting beside the famous Wembley Stadium in northwest London. Originally built as the Empire Pool for the 1934 British Empire Games, the arena held its first concert in 1959 and has since welcomed some of the biggest names in music — from The Beatles and Led Zeppelin in the 1960s and 1970s to contemporary global acts playing today.
With a capacity of 12,500, the venue is Greater London’s second-largest indoor arena and one of the busiest in Europe, hosting over 120 shows annually and drawing more than one million visitors each year. Its reinforced concrete structure, engineered by Sir Owen Williams with three hinged arches spanning 240 feet, earned it Grade II listed status in 1976. Following a £35 million refurbishment completed in 2006, it continues to operate under the OVO Energy naming rights deal secured in 2022.
Stats at a Glance
- Location: Wembley, London, England
- Type: Indoor arena
- Opened: 25 July 1934
- Capacity: 12,500
- Grade II Listed: Since October 1976
- Renovated: 2005–2006 (£35 million)
- Shows Per Year: Over 120
- Famous for: The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Queen, ABBA, Madonna, David Bowie
Decades of Legendary Performances
Since its first concert in 1959, OVO Arena Wembley has built a remarkable roll call of performers. The Beatles played here in the 1960s, Led Zeppelin and Queen dominated the arena in the 1970s, and ABBA and Madonna brought their global spectacles to its stage in later decades. David Bowie, Diana Ross, and countless other icons have all performed under its famous arched roof, making it one of the most celebrated indoor venues in British music history.
Today the arena remains one of the most sought-after stops on any major world tour. With over 120 shows a year and consistent industry recognition — including the Best Indoor Venue award at the Access All Areas Awards 2025 — it continues to set the standard for large-scale live entertainment in the UK.
From Empire Pool to OVO Arena
The building was originally constructed as a swimming venue for the 1934 British Empire Games and later served as the aquatics hall for the 1948 London Olympics, hosting boxing, diving, swimming, and water polo. It also hosted badminton and rhythmic gymnastics during the 2012 London Olympics, making it one of the few arenas in the world to have supported two separate Olympic Games as well as the British Empire Games.
The venue has carried several names across its life — Empire Pool, Wembley Arena, SSE Arena Wembley — before becoming OVO Arena Wembley in 2022 following a naming rights partnership with energy company OVO. Despite the rebrands, its Grade II listed status protects the building’s iconic structure, ensuring the distinctive concrete arches engineered by Sir Owen Williams endure for future generations.
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OVO Arena Wembley FAQs
What is the capacity of OVO Arena Wembley?
OVO Arena Wembley has a capacity of 12,500, making it Greater London’s second-largest indoor arena after the O2.
When did OVO Arena Wembley open?
The venue opened on 25 July 1934 as the Empire Pool, built to host aquatic events for the 1934 British Empire Games. It held its first concert in 1959.
Why is it called OVO Arena Wembley?
The arena was renamed OVO Arena Wembley in 2022 following a naming rights deal with energy company OVO. It was previously known as SSE Arena Wembley (2014–2022), Wembley Arena (1978–2014), and the Empire Pool (1934–1978).
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Photo: Pmsphoto at en.wikipedia / CC BY 2.5, via Wikimedia Commons.