WiZink Center stood as one of Europe’s busiest concert arenas, rising along Avenida Felipe II in Madrid, Spain. Originally opened in 1960 as the Palacio de Deportes, the building was destroyed by a fire in 2001 and rebuilt in a striking High-Tech style, reopening in February 2005. It carried the WiZink Center name from 2016 to 2024, before being rebranded Movistar Arena in January 2025 under a new sponsorship deal.
Across its various names, the arena built a reputation as Madrid’s premier stage for major touring acts, basketball, and televised award shows. It hosted more than 1,200 concerts over the years, drawing legendary performers and setting attendance records that made it a fixture of Spain’s live entertainment scene.
Stats at a Glance
- Location: Madrid, Spain
- Type: Multi-purpose indoor arena
- Opened: February 19, 2005 (rebuilt; original venue opened 1960)
- Capacity: Up to about 17,453 for concerts; 15,000 for basketball
- Famous for: Hosting Coldplay, Queen, Beyoncé, Bruce Springsteen, and Paul McCartney
- Current name: Movistar Arena (since January 2025)
A Stage for Music’s Biggest Names
WiZink Center welcomed an extraordinary run of touring artists over the years, including Coldplay, Depeche Mode, Foo Fighters, Muse, Lady Gaga, and 50 Cent. Paul McCartney played a celebrated two-night stand there in December as part of his Got Back Tour, running through decades of Beatles, Wings, and solo material.
The venue also became Spain’s home for the Los 40 Music Awards, hosting the annual ceremony in both 2022 and 2023 and cementing its role as a hub for Spanish and Latin pop culture alongside international rock and pop tours.
Records and Renovation
In one of its most talked-about nights, Mexican singer Carin León turned the arena into a palenque-style celebration and drew about 17,426 fans, breaking the attendance record previously set by Metallica in 2018 and becoming the best-attended show among the venue’s 1,200-plus concerts.
Built on the site of the original 1960 Palacio de Deportes, the rebuilt arena was designed by architects Enrique Hermoso and Pilar Huidobro after the 2001 fire. It changed sponsorship names several times, from Barclaycard Center to WiZink Center to its current identity as Movistar Arena, while remaining the same physical building at the heart of Madrid’s live-event calendar.
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WiZink Center FAQs
Is WiZink Center still called that today?
No. The arena was renamed Movistar Arena in January 2025 after a new sponsorship agreement, following earlier names including Barclaycard Center and Palacio de Deportes.
What was the seating capacity of WiZink Center?
The arena held about 15,000 for basketball and up to roughly 17,453 for concerts, depending on the stage configuration.
What major artists performed at WiZink Center?
Performers included Coldplay, Queen, Beyoncé, Bruce Springsteen, Lady Gaga, Foo Fighters, Muse, and Paul McCartney, among many others.
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Photo: Luis García (Zaqarbal) / CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.