The O2 Arena Facts

Building work on the arena started in 2003 and finished in 2007, because they couldn’t use cranes inside the dome the arena's roof was constructed on the ground and then lifted up. The arenas structure was then built around the roof. The building, which houses the arena and the concourse, is independent of other buildings in The O2, the arena building takes up 40% of the Dome.

The seating arrangement throughout the whole arena can be changed around the same as the Manchester Evening News Arena. The ground can be changed between ice rink, basketball court, exhibition space, and concert venue.

In 2007 the O2 arena sold over 1.2 million tickets and was the third most popular venue in the world. Some famous acts have already appeared at the arena, Prince had 21 nights at the arena and the Spice Girls had 17 nights whilst Kylie had 7 nights, Michael Jackson, Tina Turner and Whitney Huston are just some of the great performers that will grace the stage.

When London hosts the 2012 Olympic Games The O2 is scheduled to be the venue for the artistic gymnastics, and will have a spectator capacity of 20,000 people, and for basketball finals, where the capacity will be less. A 6,000 seat temporary area called the Greenwich Arena will be built nearby for the badminton and rhythmic gymnastics.