M&S Bank Arena, Liverpool

The M&S Bank Arena, previously known as the Echo Arena, is a multi-purpose indoor venue nestled in the heart of Liverpool. A cornerstone of the ACC Liverpool event campus, it operates alongside interconnected exhibition and convention spaces, catering to diverse events ranging from live music and comedy to international sporting competitions. Serving a regional population of 2.5 million and over 6.6 million across England’s North West, the arena has become a cultural and entertainment hub.

The arena, a creation of Wilkinson Eyre Architects and Sport Concepts, boasts a flexible design accommodating various event formats. It features 7,513 permanent seats around three sides of a central floor and can expand to host 10,600 attendees for end-stage and in-the-round concerts, or up to 11,000 with floor standing.

Since opening on January 12, 2008, the M&S Bank Arena has hosted over 7 million visitors across 3,800 events. Its grand debut coincided with Liverpool’s Capital of Culture celebrations, marked by a spectacular performance titled Liverpool the Musical, featuring 700 performers and countless hours of preparation.

Notable events include the 2008 MTV Europe Music Awards and concerts by global icons like Paul McCartney, Beyoncé, Justin Bieber, and Little Mix. The arena has also embraced sports, serving as the home court for the Mersey Tigers basketball team from 2008 to 2010 and regularly hosting the Liverpool International Horse Show.

In 2015, the arena's offerings expanded with the addition of the Exhibition Centre Liverpool and Space by M&S Bank Arena, a 7,000-capacity standing venue ideal for concerts and international sports.

The M&S Bank Arena stands as a testament to Liverpool's vibrant cultural scene and ongoing regeneration, blending cutting-edge design with a commitment to hosting unforgettable experiences.