OVO Arena Wembley 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 over 120 shows a year and drawing more than one million visitors annually.
Originally opened on 25 July 1934 as the Empire Pool for the British Empire Games, the arena has carried several names — from Wembley Arena to 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 holds 12,500 people for concerts, making it Greater London’s second-largest indoor arena. It was built in 1933–1934 and opened on 25 July 1934. It is called OVO Arena Wembley because British energy company OVO purchased the naming rights in 2022, succeeding previous sponsor SSE.
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 the ninth-largest in the United Kingdom.
For concerts, the arena’s 2,655 square metres of 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.
For corporate and conference events the configuration changes: the auditorium holds up to 3,000 in theatre-style seating, 1,280 for banqueting, or up to 5,000 for a standing reception. But for the concerts and live entertainment it is famous for, the answer is straightforward — OVO Arena Wembley’s capacity is 12,500.
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 over 120 events a year 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. It opened in 1934 as the Empire Pool, was renamed Wembley Arena in February 1978, then 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 the 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 — the arena has been working toward Greener Arena Certification 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.
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 OVO Arena Wembley 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. Contemporary acts including Sam Fender, Blackpink, Janelle Monae, and Bon Iver have all performed here in recent years, and the venue 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. Team GB earned two boxing silver medals at those Games within these walls.
Decades later, the arena was pressed into Olympic service again for the 2012 London Olympics, this time hosting badminton and rhythmic gymnastics. It is one of the few venues in the world to have contributed to two separate Olympic Games as well as the British Empire Games — a legacy that informed its Grade II listed status and makes it unique among European arenas.
After the 1948 Olympics, the original swimming pool was decommissioned and the space evolved into a multi-purpose events venue. The 1950s saw it serve as headquarters for the Wembley Ice Hockey Club and host regular public skating before its gradual transformation into the live entertainment arena it is today.
Visiting OVO Arena Wembley
OVO Arena Wembley is located adjacent to Wembley Stadium in Wembley, London, and is managed and operated by Legends Global. The venue is well-served by public transport, with Wembley Park and Wembley Central stations both within easy walking distance. Premium seating options include Terrace Suites, Empire Seats, Club Seats, VIP Seats, lounge upgrades, and a Sky VIP lounge.
With over 120 shows annually and a track record of industry recognition, OVO Arena Wembley remains the benchmark for large-scale indoor entertainment in the UK. The Grade II listed building and its iconic concrete arches provide a setting unlike any other in London — a venue that has shaped British live culture for nearly a century.
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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 and the ninth-largest in the UK.
How many people does OVO Arena Wembley hold for concerts?
OVO Arena Wembley holds up to 12,500 people for concerts. The arena floor can be configured as a standing section or fully seated depending on the event.
When was Wembley Arena built?
Construction began in November 1933, and the arena opened on 25 July 1934 as the Empire Pool, built to host aquatic events at the 1934 British Empire Games. It was constructed in nine months by around 800 workers.
Why is it called OVO Arena Wembley?
The arena is named after British energy company OVO, which acquired the naming rights in 2022, taking over from SSE. The venue was previously known as SSE Arena Wembley (2014–2022), Wembley Arena (1978–2014), and the Empire Pool (1934–1978).
What is the OVO Arena Wembley Kapazität (capacity)?
OVO Arena Wembley fasst 12.500 Personen — OVO Arena Wembley has a capacity of 12,500 people, making it the second-largest indoor arena in Greater London.
What is the concert capacity of Wembley Arena?
For concerts, Wembley Arena (now OVO Arena Wembley) holds 12,500 people. This is the maximum concert capacity and applies to most major live music events held at the venue.
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