Bristol’s new 20,000 capacity venue revealed as ‘Aviva Arena’

Bristol-based YTL Construction UK has announced Aviva as the partner of Bristol’s new 20,000-capacity indoor arena.

The multi-million pound sponsorship agreement has secured naming rights for the venue, which will be called Aviva Arena when it opens in late 2028. An estimated 1.4 million people are expected to attend live music, sporting events and entertainment at the arena each year.

Located in Brabazon New Town, North Bristol, the arena is expected to host more than 120 major events every year. During construction, the project is set to create over 2,000 jobs, with a further 500 permanent roles once the arena is operational.

Work is underway to transform the Brabazon Hangars, a space previously used for the assembly of all British Concorde jets, into the live entertainment venue. The entire complex, called YTL Live, will house Aviva Arena in the largest of the three Brabazon Hangars, as well as a conference and exhibition space. The complex is estimated to contribute £1 billion to the wider Bristol economy over the first decade of operation.

“Our partnership with Aviva represents a major milestone in delivering a venue that will raise the bar for live entertainment in the UK and drive substantial long-term benefits for Bristol and the wider region,” said Colin Skellett, CEO of YTL UK Group. “We are proud to be bringing the Brabazon Hangars back to life for a new generation.”

Chart-topping British singer-songwriter Tom Grennan delivered an exclusive six-song set at the naming-rights launch at Aerospace Bristol, to an audience that included Sir Francis Yeoh, the executive chair of YTL corporation, and West of England Mayor, Helen Godwin.

“Tom Grennan is the perfect star to help launch the Aviva Arena,” said Andrew Billingham, CEO of YTL Live. “As an arena-filling artist in his own right, he sets the tone for the calibre of world-class performers who will take to this stage in the years to come.”

“Aviva and YTL’s landmark sponsorship commitment is a powerful endorsement of the UK as a world-class place to build, to do business and to grow - exactly the kind of long-term investment this government is backing right across the country,” said the chancellor of the exchequer Rachel Reeves. “It’s good news for people across the West of England, creating thousands of jobs and putting the region firmly on the global map for live entertainment.”