AEG to Open 3,800-Capacity Venue at Olympia Convention Center in London

AEG Presents UK has announced new details about British Airways ARC, an upcoming 3,800-capacity live music venue and event space above the west exhibition hall at the Olympia convention space in London.

Set to open in 2026, British Airways ARC is part of a $1.7 billion renovation of Olympia — a 138-year-old event space and conference center in Kensington originally built to stage agricultural and military shows and exhibitions that has, over the years, hosted concerts by artists including the Jimi Hendrix Experience, Rod Stewart and The Cure. AXS will provide ticketing services for British Airways ARC, for which AEG is now accepting booking inquiries (more information is available at britishairwaysarc.co.uk).

In 2017, Olympia was purchased by the firms Deutsche Finance International and Yoo Capital; four years later, they announced plans to build a 1,575-seat theater at the center. It was announced last month that The Shubert Organization and Trafalgar Entertainment would operate the venue, which has since been dubbed the Olympia Theatre and is due to open in late 2027.

In addition to British Airways ARC and the Olympia Theatre, 30 new bars and eateries are planned for the Olympia complex, along with two new hotels and 550,000 square feet of office space.

“Olympia is a place that has an incredible musical history which we want to honour whilst creating a venue that is thoroughly modern with world class facilities for artists and fans alike,” said Andrew Spencer, COO for AEG Presents Europe, in a statement.

AEG Presents UK manages a large portfolio of venues and events in the U.K., including the summer concert series at Hyde Park. It also books the University of Wolverhampton at The Halls, Watford Colosseum, indigo at The O2 and Eventim Apollo.