LG Arena up to seven in top venue rankings

THE NEC Group’s LG Arena has been ranked seventh in the list of top 100 arenas worldwide in Pollstar Magazine’s 2012 mid-year rankings.

The list, compiled by the concert and venue industry publication, reflects tickets sold for music events from January 1-June 30 this year.

Selling a total of 254,666 tickets this year so far, the LG Arena in Solihull has moved up the chart to seventh place from tenth place in last year’s year-end ranking.

The National Indoor Arena (NIA) in Birmingham, also part of the NEC Group and sister brand of the LG Arena, came 50th in the listing, moving up 24 places from last year’s scoring.

Combined, the attendance figure for both venues equals 381,058 – accumulatively placing the venues third in the listing.

Guy Dunstan, general manager for the LG Arena and NIA, said: “We are extremely proud of the fact that the LG Arena has retained its place as one of the top ten venues in the world for the second year running. 

“I believe the £29m refurbishment of the LG Arena in 2009 has really cemented its position as one of the leading venues in the world.

“The improvement in the NIA’s ranking is particularly significant as music events only make up 30% of the NIA’s content. The NIA has hosted more than 30 different sports in its 20 year history and more world championships than any other arena in Europe. 

“The increase in music events at the venue is mainly down to its city centre location and the flexibility of the arena, which allows our teams to easily adapt to the requirements of any show. In the same week we have had Noel Gallagher playing to an audience of 13,500 fans one day, and the Yonex All England Open Badminton Championships a few days later. 

“The diversity in the programme of events hosted at the NIA is a real USP of the venue.

“With the £20.5m refurbishment of the NIA set to start work in January 2013 and our recent partnership with Barclaycard, it is an exciting time for the region and music events at the NIA.”

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