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{{Short description|Indoor arena in Birmingham, England}}
{{About|the indoor arena in Birmingham, England|other arenas with the same or similar names|Birmingham Arena (disambiguation){{!}}Birmingham Arena}}
{{Redirect|Barclaycard Arena|the arena in Hamburg|Barclaycard Arena (Hamburg)}}
{{Redirect|Barclaycard Arena|the arena in Hamburg|Barclaycard Arena (Hamburg)}}
{{redirect|National Indoor Arena}}
{{Redirect|National Indoor Arena}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2020}}
{{Use British English|date=October 2013}}
{{Use British English|date=October 2013}}
{{Infobox venue
{{Infobox venue
| name = Arena Birmingham
| name = Utilita Arena Birmingham
| logo_image = File:Arena Birmingham Logo.jpg
| logo_image = Utilita_Arena_Birmingham_logo.png
| image = NIA Barclaycard Birmingham.jpg
| image = Arena from Library of Birmingham 2024-07-19.jpg
| image_size = 300px
| image_size = 250px
| caption = Arena Birmingham in July 2024
| former names = National Indoor Arena <small>(1991–2014)</small><br>Barclaycard Arena <small>(2014–17)</small>
| former names = National Indoor Arena (1991–2014)<br>Barclaycard Arena (2014–2017)<br>Arena Birmingham (2017–2020)
| address = King Edwards Road<br />[[Birmingham]]<br />[[B postcode area|B1]] 2AA<br />England
| address = King Edwards Road<br />[[Birmingham]] [[B postcode area|B1]] 2AA [[England]]
| coordinates = {{coord|52|28|47|N|01|54|54|W|type:landmark|display=inline,title}}
| coordinates = {{coord|52|28|47|N|01|54|54|W|type:landmark|display=inline,title}}
| owner = [[NEC Group]]<br><small>([[Lloyds Banking Group]])
| owner = [[NEC Group]]
| operator = NEC Group
| operator =
| opened = 4 October 1991
| opened = 4 October 1991 <small>(as National Indoor Arena)</small><br/>2 December 2014 <small>(as Barclaycard Arena)</small><br/>1 September 2017 <small>(as Arena Birmingham)</small>
| renovated = 2013–2014
| renovated = 2013–14
| reopened =
| cost = £26 million (renovation)
| cost =
| architect = [[Broadway Malyan]] (renovation)
| architect =
| main_contractors = [[Royal BAM Group]] (renovation)
| main_contractors =
| project_manager = Novus
| project_manager =
| structural engineer = Rodgers Leaske
| structural engineer =
| tenants = [[All England Open Badminton Championships]]<br>[[Sainsbury's Indoor Grand Prix]]
| tenants = [[All England Open Badminton Championships]]<br>[[Sainsbury's Indoor Grand Prix]]
| capacity = 15,800<ref>{{cite web |archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20150607230512/http://www.barclaycardarena.co.uk/venue-info | url=http://www.barclaycardarena.co.uk/venue-info | title=Venue Information &#124; Barclaycard Arena, Birmingham |archivedate=7 June 2015 | accessdate=8 June 2015}}</ref>
| capacity = 15,800 (arena)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.necgroup.co.uk/our-brands/utilita-arena-birmingham/|title=Our Brands {{!}} Utilita Arena Birmingham|website=www.necgroup.co.uk|access-date=15 April 2020}}</ref><br>6,825 (B1)
| embedded = {{Infobox building
| website = {{URL|http://www.arenabham.co.uk/}}
| embed = yes
|}}
| mapframe = no
[[File:National Indoor Arena logo.svg|200px|thumb|right|Former logo]]
| ren_cost = £26 million
[[File:NIA, Birmingham.jpg|thumb|right|The National Indoor Arena in 2005]]
| ren_architect = [[Broadway Malyan]]
'''Arena Birmingham''' (previously known as The '''Barclaycard Arena''' and the '''National Indoor Arena''') is an indoor sporting and entertainment venue in [[Birmingham]], United Kingdom. The Arena, which is owned by parent company, the [[NEC Group]], is situated in central [[Birmingham]]. When it was opened in 1991, it was the largest indoor arena in the UK.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.necgroup.co.uk/our-brands/ |title=Our brands |publisher=NEC Group |accessdate=24 January 2015}}</ref>
| ren_engineer =
| ren_str_engineer = Rodgers Leaske
| ren_serv_engineer = Hulley & Kirkwood
| ren_civ_engineer =
| ren_oth_designers = {{hlist|Novus|Inox Equip Ltd|Time Sec|Architainment Lighting, Ltd}}
| ren_qty_surveyor =
| ren_contractor = [[Royal BAM Group]]
}}
| website = {{URL|http://www.arenabham.co.uk/|Venue website}}|
}}
'''Utilita Arena Birmingham''' (previously known as '''Arena Birmingham''', '''The Barclaycard Arena''', originally as the '''National Indoor Arena''' and still commonly called '''The NIA''') is an indoor arena and sporting venue in central [[Birmingham]], England. It is owned by parent company the [[NEC Group]]. When it was opened in 1991, it was the largest indoor arena in the UK.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.necgroup.co.uk/our-brands/ |title=Our brands |publisher=NEC Group |access-date=24 January 2015}}</ref>

The arena is located alongside the [[BCN Main Line|Birmingham Canal Navigations Main Line's]] [[Old Turn Junction]] and opposite the [[National Sea Life Centre (Birmingham)|National Sea Life Centre]] in [[Brindleyplace]]. The building straddles the main [[Rugby–Birmingham–Stafford line|Birmingham to Wolverhampton Intercity railway line]] (originally the [[Stour Valley Line]]), but does not have a station of its own. There are three adjoining car parks with a total of 2,156 spaces. Close to the arena is [[International Convention Centre, Birmingham|The ICC]] which is also owned by the NEC Group.

It is currently the [[List of indoor arenas in the United Kingdom|fourth-largest indoor arena in the United Kingdom]] by capacity. In 2019, the arena had ticket sales of 530,597, which was the 4th highest in the United Kingdom.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://www.pollstar.com/Chart/2019/12/Top200Arenas_797.pdf|title=2019 Worldwide Ticket Sales Top 200 Arena Venues|date=16 December 2019|website=Pollstar|access-date=2 January 2020}}</ref>

==Background==
[[File:NIA, Birmingham.jpg|thumb|left|Exterior of the arena in April 2005]]
The arena was officially opened, as the National Indoor Arena, on 4 October 1991 by the athlete [[Linford Christie]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.activbirmingham.com/info/birminghamnia-3553.html|title=Birmingham NIA|publisher=ActivBirmingham|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151018184050/http://www.activbirmingham.com/info/birminghamnia-3553.html|archive-date=18 October 2015|url-status=dead|access-date=24 January 2015}}</ref> When it was opened, the arena was intended to be an indoor sporting venue.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.necgroup.co.uk/news/birmingham-celebrates-25-years-of-arena/|title=Birmingham celebrates 25 years of city centre arena {{!}} News {{!}}NEC Group|website=www.necgroup.co.uk|access-date=14 June 2019}}</ref> However, the venue began to host entertainment events shortly after opening.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.birmingham.gov.uk/directory_record/138082/arena_birmingham|title=Arena Birmingham|last=Council|first=Birmingham City|website=www.birmingham.gov.uk|language=en|access-date=14 June 2019}}</ref>

The arena currently hosts a variety of events including concerts, sporting events and conferences.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.arenabham.co.uk/destination/about-us/|title=About us {{!}} Arena Birmingham|website=www.arenabham.co.uk|language=en|access-date=14 June 2019}}</ref> It has a capacity of up to 15,800 using both permanent seating and temporary seating configurations.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.barclaycardarena.co.uk/venue-info/ |title=Venue Information |publisher=Barclaycard Arena |access-date=24 January 2015}}</ref>


The arena was renamed after it underwent an extensive renovation which was completed at the end of 2014. [[Michael Bublé]] opened the renovated arena on 2 December 2014.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.bam.eu/en/press/press-releases/michael-buble-officially-launches-birminghams-barclaycard-arena|title=Michael Bublé officially launches Birmingham's 'Barclaycard Arena' {{!}} Koninklijke BAM Groep / Royal BAM Group|website=www.bam.eu|access-date=11 December 2016}}</ref>
The arena hosts a variety of events including concerts, business conferences and exhibitions. It has a capacity of up to 15,800 using both permanent seating and temporary seating configurations.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.barclaycardarena.co.uk/venue-info/ |title=Venue Information |publisher=Barclaycard Arena |accessdate=24 January 2015}}</ref> The NIA was officially opened on 4 October 1991 by the athlete [[Linford Christie]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.activbirmingham.com/info/birminghamnia-3553.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151018184050/http://www.activbirmingham.com/info/birminghamnia-3553.html |dead-url=yes |archive-date=18 October 2015 |title=Birmingham NIA |publisher=ActivBirmingham |accessdate=24 January 2015 }}</ref>


The arena was renamed after it underwent an extensive renovation which was completed at the end of 2014. [[Michael Bublé]] opened the renovated arena on 2 December 2014.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.bam.eu/en/press/press-releases/michael-buble-officially-launches-birminghams-barclaycard-arena|title=Michael Bublé officially launches Birmingham’s ‘Barclaycard Arena’ {{!}} Koninklijke BAM Groep / Royal BAM Group|website=www.bam.eu|access-date=2016-12-11}}</ref>
In 2018 the arena had ticket sales of 497,443, which was the 4th highest in the United Kingdom.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.pollstar.com/Chart/2018/12/2018YearEndWorldwideTicketSalesTop200ArenaVenues_702.pdf|title=2018 YEAR END Worldwide Ticket Sales TOP 200 ARENA VENUES|website=Pollstar|access-date=21 May 2019}}</ref>


===Naming history===
The arena is located alongside the [[BCN Main Line|Birmingham Canal Navigations Main Line's]] [[Old Turn Junction]] and opposite the [[National Sea Life Centre (Birmingham)|National Sea Life Centre]] in [[Brindleyplace]]. Close to the arena is [[International Convention Centre, Birmingham|The ICC]] which is also owned by the NEC Group.
* National Indoor Arena {{small|(4 October 1991 – 1 December 2014)}}<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.psam.uk.com/birminghams-revamped-national-indoor-arena-nia-to-become-the-barclaycard-arena |title=Birmingham's revamped National Indoor Arena (NIA) to become the 'Barclaycard Arena' |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=3 October 2014 |website=PanStadia & Arena Management Magazine |access-date=28 November 2019|archive-url=https://archive.today/20191128074511/http://www.psam.uk.com/birminghams-revamped-national-indoor-arena-nia-to-become-the-barclaycard-arena |archive-date=28 November 2019}}</ref>
* Barclaycard Arena {{small|(2 December 2014 – 31 August 2017)}}<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.expressandstar.com/entertainment/birmingham-entertainment/2017/08/14/birminghams-barcalycard-arena-to-be-renamed/ |title=Birmingham's Barclaycard Arena to be renamed |last1=Rawlins |first1=Kristen |date=14 April 2017 |website=[[Express & Star]] |publisher=[[MNA Media]] |access-date=28 November 2019|archive-url=https://archive.today/20191128074031/https://www.expressandstar.com/entertainment/birmingham-entertainment/2017/08/14/birminghams-barcalycard-arena-to-be-renamed/ |archive-date=28 November 2019}}</ref>
* Arena Birmingham {{small|(1 September 2017 – 14 April 2020)}}
* Utilita Arena Birmingham {{Small|(15 April 2020 - Present)}}


==Renovation==
===Renovation===
[[File:NIA Barclaycard Birmingham.jpg|thumb|left|The arena's new glazed facade in June 2015]]
In 2012 plans to refurbish and renovate the NIA were approved by [[Birmingham City Council]]. The plans included creating a showpiece entrance from the canal-side, three "sky needle" light sculptures, a new glazed facade fronting the canal and new pre-show hospitality elements. The design was by the architecture firm [[Broadway Malyan]] and the building contract was awarded to [[Royal BAM Group]] in 2013 with a projected finishing date of Winter 2014.<ref name=NIA2>{{cite news|title=International firm awarded £24m contract to refurbish Birmingham NIA|url=http://www.birminghampost.co.uk/business/international-firm-awarded-24m-contract-3906332|date=16 May 2013|work=[[Birmingham Post]]|access-date=14 March 2014|location=Birmingham}}</ref>


The £26 million redevelopment began in June 2013. The redeveloped arena was officially opened with a performance by singer [[Michael Bublé]] on 2 December 2014.<ref>{{cite web|last=Brown |first=Graeme |url=http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/whats-on/music-nightlife-news/michael-bubl-perform-nia-renamed-7853146 |title=Michael Bublé to perform as NIA renamed the Barclaycard Arena |publisher=Birmingham Mail |date=29 September 2014 |access-date=24 January 2015}}</ref> It was renamed the "Barclaycard Arena" in November 2014 after [[Barclaycard]] won the naming rights for five years,<ref>[http://www.newsroom.barclays.com/Press-releases/Barclaycard-partners-with-NEC-Group-899.aspx] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120330164554/http://www.newsroom.barclays.com/Press-releases/Barclaycard-partners-with-NEC-Group-899.aspx|date=30 March 2012}}</ref> but in May 2016 it was announced that the naming deal would end early,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-birmingham-36215788|title=Barclaycard scraps sponsorship of Birmingham Arena|work=BBC News|date=5 May 2016|access-date=12 July 2016}}</ref> and from September 2017 it would be named Arena Birmingham.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/whats-on/whats-on-news/barclaycard-arena-birmingham-change-name-13473285|title=Barclaycard Arena in Birmingham changes its name again|work=[[Birmingham Mail]]|date=11 September 2017|access-date=20 September 2017}}</ref>
In 2012 plans to refurbish and renovate the NIA were approved by [[Birmingham City Council]]. The plans included creating a showpiece entrance from the canal-side, three "sky needle" light sculptures, a new glazed facade fronting the canal and new pre-show hospitality elements. The design was by the architecture firm [[Broadway Malyan]] and the building contract was awarded to [[Royal BAM Group]] in 2013 with an projected finishing date of Winter 2014.<ref name=NIA2>{{cite news|title=International firm awarded £24m contract to refurbish Birmingham NIA|url=http://www.birminghampost.co.uk/business/international-firm-awarded-24m-contract-3906332|date=16 May 2013|work=[[Birmingham Post]]|accessdate=14 March 2014|location=Birmingham|first=|last=}}</ref>


On 16 January 2020, it was announced that the arena will be renamed Utilita Arena Birmingham from 15 April 2020.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/arena-birmingham-change-name-again-17581938|title = Arena Birmingham to change name again - and everyone says same thing|date = 16 January 2020}}</ref>
The £26 million redevelopment began in June 2013. The redeveloped arena was officially opened with a performance by singer [[Michael Bublé]] on 2 December 2014.<ref>{{cite web|last=Brown |first=Graeme |url=http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/whats-on/music-nightlife-news/michael-bubl-perform-nia-renamed-7853146 |title=Michael Bublé to perform as NIA renamed the Barclaycard Arena |publisher=Birmingham Mail |date=29 September 2014 |accessdate=24 January 2015}}</ref> It was renamed the "Barclaycard Arena" in November 2014 after [[Barclaycard]] won the naming rights for five years,<ref>[http://www.newsroom.barclays.com/Press-releases/Barclaycard-partners-with-NEC-Group-899.aspx] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120330164554/http://www.newsroom.barclays.com/Press-releases/Barclaycard-partners-with-NEC-Group-899.aspx |date=30 March 2012 }}</ref> but in May 2016 it was announced that the naming deal would end early,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-birmingham-36215788|title=Barclaycard scraps sponsorship of Birmingham Arena|publisher=BBC News|date=5 May 2016|accessdate=12 July 2016}}</ref> and from September 2017 it would be named Arena Birmingham.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/whats-on/whats-on-news/barclaycard-arena-birmingham-change-name-13473285|title=Barclaycard Arena in Birmingham changes its name again|work=[[Birmingham Mail]]|date=11 September 2017|accessdate=20 September 2017}}</ref>


==Notable events==
==Notable events==
[[File:National Indoor Arena logo.svg|thumb|right|Original logo]]
The arena has been used for several major events in the past, including counting no less than eight constituencies in the hall for the [[United Kingdom general election, 1992|1992 general election]].<ref name="Election 1992">''Election 92'', [[BBC]], 9 April 1992</ref>
The arena has been used for several major events in the past, including counting no fewer than eight constituencies in the hall for the [[1992 United Kingdom general election|1992 general election]].<ref name="Election 1992">''Election 92'', [[BBC]], 9 April 1992</ref>


*''[[Gladiators (1992 UK TV series)|Gladiators]]'' was recorded at the arena from 1992 to 1999
*''[[Gladiators (1992 British TV series)|Gladiators]]'' was recorded at the arena from 1992 to 1999.
*[[1993 IBF World Championships]]
*[[1993 IBF World Championships]]
*[[1995 Netball World Championships]]
*[[1995 Netball World Championships]]
*[[1998 Eurovision Song Contest]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Eurovision Song Contest 1998|url=http://www.eurovision.tv/page/history/by-year/contest?event=313|website=eurovision.tv|publisher=European Broadcasting Union|accessdate=21 October 2014|date=9 May 1998}}</ref>
*[[Eurovision Song Contest 1998]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Eurovision Song Contest 1998|url=https://eurovision.tv/event/birmingham-1998|website=eurovision.tv|publisher=European Broadcasting Union|access-date=21 October 2014|date=9 May 1998}}</ref>
*[[1999 World Judo Championships]]
*[[1999 World Judo Championships]]
* The 2001 [[Robot Wars (TV series)|Robot Wars]] Live Tour.
*On Saturday 2 October 1999, it played host to [[WWE Rebellion#1999|WWF Rebellion 1999]]
*Between Friday 14 March to Sunday 16 March 2003, it played host to the [[2003 IAAF World Indoor Championships]].
*[[2003 IAAF World Indoor Championships]].
*[[Great Britain Davis Cup team|Great Britain]] [[Davis Cup]] tennis matches (vs. [[United States Davis Cup team|United States]] in [[1999 Davis Cup|1999]], vs. [[Sweden Davis Cup team|Sweden]] and [[Thailand Davis Cup team|Thailand]] in [[2002 Davis Cup|2002]], and vs. [[Japan Davis Cup team|Japan]] in [[2016 Davis Cup|2016]])
*[[Great Britain Davis Cup team|Great Britain]] [[Davis Cup]] tennis matches (vs. [[United States Davis Cup team|United States]] in [[1999 Davis Cup|1999]], vs. [[Sweden Davis Cup team|Sweden]] and [[Thailand Davis Cup team|Thailand]] in [[2002 Davis Cup|2002]], and vs. [[Japan Davis Cup team|Japan]] in [[2016 Davis Cup|2016]])
*[[BBL Cup]] and [[BBL Finals Weekend]] matches
*[[BBL Cup]] and [[BBL Finals Weekend]] matches
*The British games company [[Games Workshop]] used the arena to stage their [[Games Day (Games Workshop)|Games Day]] and [[Golden Demon]] events until 2003, when they moved to the larger [[National Exhibition Centre]].
*[[2003 IBF World Championships]]
*[[2003 IBF World Championships]]
*On 9 June 2004, Irish vocal pop band [[Westlife]] held a concert for their [[Turnaround Tour]] supporting their album [[Turnaround (Westlife album)|Turnaround]].
*Toy Story On Ice
*[[2007 European Athletics Indoor Championships]].
*[[2007 European Athletics Indoor Championships]].
*The [[Premier League Darts]] every year since 2007
*[[Tina Turner]] performed as part of her [[Tina!: 50th Anniversary Tour]] on 7 and 8 April 2009.
*[[Michael Flatley]]'s Stage Show, [[Celtic Tiger]] – DVD recording
*[[2010 European Men's Artistic Gymnastics Championships]]
*[[2010 European Men's Artistic Gymnastics Championships]]
*[[2010 European Women's Artistic Gymnastics Championships]]
*[[2010 European Women's Artistic Gymnastics Championships]]
*[[2010 Wheelchair Basketball World Championship]]
*It has played host to three [[BAMMA]] events. [[BAMMA 4]] on Saturday 25 September 2010, [[BAMMA 7]] on Saturday 10 September 2011 and [[BAMMA 9]] on Saturday 24 March 2012.
*Between Wednesday 7 and Saturday 17 July 2010, it played host to the [[2010 Wheelchair Basketball World Championship]].
*[[2011 Trampoline World Championships]]
*[[2011 Trampoline World Championships]]
*[[Lee Evans (comedian)|Lee Evans]] performed here from 17 to 21 September 2014 to record his final stand-up show tour [[Monsters Tour|Monsters]] before his retirement.
*[[Madonna (entertainer)|Madonna]] brought her [[The MDNA Tour|MDNA Tour]] to the arena on 19 July 2012. She returned with her [[Rebel Heart Tour]] on 16 December 2015.
*[[Linkin Park]] performed here as part of the [[One More Light Tour]] on 6 July 2017. This was the band's last performance of the European leg, as the remaining show in [[Manchester]] were cancelled due to a [[Manchester Arena bombing|bombing]] at the [[Manchester Arena]], where the band was supposed to perform. It was also the final performance of lead singer [[Chester Bennington]] before his [[Suicide by hanging|death]] on 20 July 2017.<ref>[http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/rock/7873814/chester-bennington-rip-linkin-park-final-concert-video "Watch Linkin Park Perform With Chester Bennington for the Last Time"]. Billboard. Retrieved 21 July 2017</ref>
*[[Total Nonstop Action]] [[TNA One Night Only#Joker's Wild II|Joker's Wild II]] pay per view taping on 2 February 2014.
*[[Mariah Carey]] has performed at the arena on 18 March 2016 part of European Leg Tour of [[Sweet Sweet Fantasy Tour]]
* [[Linkin Park]] performed here as part of the [[One More Light Tour]] on 6 July 2017. This was the band's last performance of the European leg, as the remaining show in [[Manchester]] were cancelled due to a [[2017 Manchester Arena bombing|bombing]] at the [[Manchester Arena]], where the band was supposed to perform. It was also the final performance of lead singer [[Chester Bennington]] before his [[Suicide by hanging|death]] on 20 July 2017.<ref>[http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/rock/7873814/chester-bennington-rip-linkin-park-final-concert-video "Watch Linkin Park Perform With Chester Bennington for the Last Time"]. Billboard. Retrieved 21 July 2017</ref>
*[[Celine Dion]] performed as part of her [[Celine Dion Live 2017]] tour on 27 July 2017 and 3 August 2017. Her first UK tour in nine years. She is the highest grossing performer for the venue so far during 2017.
*[[Lady Gaga]] brought her [[Joanne World Tour]] to the venue on 31 January 2018; the show was recorded in its entirety. The following show at Birmingham's [[Genting Arena]] was the final show of the tour.
*[[Demi Lovato]] will bring her [[Tell Me You Love Me World Tour]] to the arena on 12 June 2018.
*[[Katy Perry]] will bring her [[Witness: The Tour]] to the Barclaycard Arena on 18 June 2018.
*[[Justin Timberlake]] will bring his [[Man of the Woods Tour]] here on 27 and 28 June 2018.
*[[Shania Twain]] will bring her [[Now Tour (Shania Twain)|Now Tour]] here on 24 September 2018
*[[2018 IAAF World Indoor Championships]]
*[[2018 IAAF World Indoor Championships]]
*[[2022 Commonwealth Games]]
*[[Monster Jam]] Ramped Up made its worldwide debut on 29-31 March 2024, featuring the all new Monstergon.

== Ticket sales ==
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+
!Year
!Name
!Ticket sales
!Gross sales (USD)
!Worldwide rank
!UK rank
|-
|2019
| rowspan="3" |Arena Birmingham
|530,597<ref name=":0" />
|40,489,480
|36
|4
|-
|2018
|497,443<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.pollstar.com/Chart/2018/12/2018YearEndWorldwideTicketSalesTop200ArenaVenues_702.pdf|title=2018 YEAR END Worldwide Ticket Sales TOP 200 ARENA VENUES|website=Pollstar|access-date=2 January 2020}}</ref>
|
|29
|4
|-
|2017
|642,922<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.pollstar.com/Chart/2018/01/2017YearEndWorldwideTicketSalesTop200ArenaVenues_628.pdf|title=2017 YEAR END Worldwide Ticket Sales TOP 200 ARENA VENUES|website=Pollstar|access-date=2 January 2020}}</ref>
|
|17
|5
|-
|2016
| rowspan="2" |Barclaycard Arena
|422,619<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.pollstar.com/Chart/2017/01/2016YearEndWorldwideTicketSalesTop200ArenaVenues_350.pdf|title=2016 YEAR END Worldwide Ticket Sales TOP 200 ARENA VENUES|website=Pollstar|access-date=2 January 2020}}</ref>
|
|31
|4
|-
|2015
|425,241<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.pollstar.com/Chart/2015YearEndWorldwideTicketSalesTop200ArenaVenues_chartItem_30.pdf|title=2015 YEAR END Worldwide Ticket Sales TOP 200 ARENA VENUES|website=Pollstar|access-date=2 January 2020}}</ref>
|
|36
|9
|}


==NEC Group==
==NEC Group==
Parent company [[NEC Group|The NEC Group]] also owns and operates the [[International Convention Centre, Birmingham|International Convention Centre]] (ICC) in central Birmingham, and the [[National Exhibition Centre]] (NEC) and [[Genting Arena]] (previously The NEC Arena and LG Arena), based on The NEC site in nearby [[Solihull]].
Parent company [[NEC Group|The NEC Group]] also owns and operates the [[ICC Birmingham]] in central Birmingham, and the [[National Exhibition Centre]] (NEC) and [[Resorts World Arena|bp pulse LIVE]] (previously Resorts World Arena, Genting Arena and LG Arena), based on The NEC site in nearby [[Solihull]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-birmingham-45863974 |title=NEC Group sold 'for £800m' |work=BBC News |date=2018-10-15 |language=en-GB |access-date=2019-09-23}}</ref>


==References==
==References==
{{reflist|30em}}
{{Reflist}}


==External links==
==External links==
{{commons category}}
{{Commons category}}
*{{Official website|http://www.arenabham.co.uk/}}
*{{Official website|https://www.arenabham.co.uk/}}
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20070207095346/http://www.merouk.co.uk/structures/1990nia.htm Construction of the Arena's Roof]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20070207095346/http://www.merouk.co.uk/structures/1990nia.htm Construction of the arena's roof]


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title=[[IAAF World Indoor Championships in Athletics]]<br> Venue|
title=[[IAAF World Indoor Championships in Athletics]]<br> Venue|
before=''[[Oregon Convention Center]]'' <br/> [[Portland, Oregon|Portland]]|
before=''[[Oregon Convention Center]]'' <br/> [[Portland, Oregon|Portland]]|
after=''[[Nanjing Olympic Sports Center Gymnasium]]'' <br/> [[Nanjing]]|
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years='''[[2018 IAAF World Indoor Championships|2018]]'''
years='''[[2018 IAAF World Indoor Championships|2018]]'''
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{{Succession box|
| title=[[World Figure Skating Championships]]<br> Venue|
| title=[[World Figure Skating Championships]]<br> Venue|
| before=[[Makuhari Messe]]<br/>[[Chiba, Chiba|Chiba]]|
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Latest revision as of 00:59, 16 December 2024

This article is about the indoor arena in Birmingham, England. For other arenas with the same or similar names, see Birmingham Arena.
"Barclaycard Arena" redirects here. For the arena in Hamburg, see Barclaycard Arena (Hamburg).
"National Indoor Arena" redirects here. For other uses, see National Indoor Arena (disambiguation).

Utilita Arena Birmingham
Arena Birmingham in July 2024
Map
Former namesNational Indoor Arena (1991–2014)
Barclaycard Arena (2014–2017)
Arena Birmingham (2017–2020)
AddressKing Edwards Road
Birmingham B1 2AA England
Coordinates52°28′47″N 01°54′54″W / 52.47972°N 1.91500°W / 52.47972; -1.91500
OwnerNEC Group
Capacity15,800 (arena)[1]
6,825 (B1)
Construction
Opened4 October 1991
Renovated2013–14
Tenants
All England Open Badminton Championships
Sainsbury's Indoor Grand Prix
Website
Venue website
Building details
General information
Renovation cost£26 million
Renovating team
Architect(s)Broadway Malyan
Structural engineerRodgers Leaske
Services engineerHulley & Kirkwood
Other designers
  • Novus
  • Inox Equip Ltd
  • Time Sec
  • Architainment Lighting, Ltd
Main contractorRoyal BAM Group

Utilita Arena Birmingham (previously known as Arena Birmingham, The Barclaycard Arena, originally as the National Indoor Arena and still commonly called The NIA) is an indoor arena and sporting venue in central Birmingham, England. It is owned by parent company the NEC Group. When it was opened in 1991, it was the largest indoor arena in the UK.[2]

The arena is located alongside the Birmingham Canal Navigations Main Line's Old Turn Junction and opposite the National Sea Life Centre in Brindleyplace. The building straddles the main Birmingham to Wolverhampton Intercity railway line (originally the Stour Valley Line), but does not have a station of its own. There are three adjoining car parks with a total of 2,156 spaces. Close to the arena is The ICC which is also owned by the NEC Group.

It is currently the fourth-largest indoor arena in the United Kingdom by capacity. In 2019, the arena had ticket sales of 530,597, which was the 4th highest in the United Kingdom.[3]

Background

[edit]
Exterior of the arena in April 2005

The arena was officially opened, as the National Indoor Arena, on 4 October 1991 by the athlete Linford Christie.[4] When it was opened, the arena was intended to be an indoor sporting venue.[5] However, the venue began to host entertainment events shortly after opening.[6]

The arena currently hosts a variety of events including concerts, sporting events and conferences.[7] It has a capacity of up to 15,800 using both permanent seating and temporary seating configurations.[8]

The arena was renamed after it underwent an extensive renovation which was completed at the end of 2014. Michael Bublé opened the renovated arena on 2 December 2014.[9]

In 2018 the arena had ticket sales of 497,443, which was the 4th highest in the United Kingdom.[10]

Naming history

[edit]
  • National Indoor Arena (4 October 1991 – 1 December 2014)[11]
  • Barclaycard Arena (2 December 2014 – 31 August 2017)[12]
  • Arena Birmingham (1 September 2017 – 14 April 2020)
  • Utilita Arena Birmingham (15 April 2020 - Present)

Renovation

[edit]
The arena's new glazed facade in June 2015

In 2012 plans to refurbish and renovate the NIA were approved by Birmingham City Council. The plans included creating a showpiece entrance from the canal-side, three "sky needle" light sculptures, a new glazed facade fronting the canal and new pre-show hospitality elements. The design was by the architecture firm Broadway Malyan and the building contract was awarded to Royal BAM Group in 2013 with a projected finishing date of Winter 2014.[13]

The £26 million redevelopment began in June 2013. The redeveloped arena was officially opened with a performance by singer Michael Bublé on 2 December 2014.[14] It was renamed the "Barclaycard Arena" in November 2014 after Barclaycard won the naming rights for five years,[15] but in May 2016 it was announced that the naming deal would end early,[16] and from September 2017 it would be named Arena Birmingham.[17]

On 16 January 2020, it was announced that the arena will be renamed Utilita Arena Birmingham from 15 April 2020.[18]

Notable events

[edit]
Original logo

The arena has been used for several major events in the past, including counting no fewer than eight constituencies in the hall for the 1992 general election.[19]

Ticket sales

[edit]
Year Name Ticket sales Gross sales (USD) Worldwide rank UK rank
2019 Arena Birmingham 530,597[3] 40,489,480 36 4
2018 497,443[22] 29 4
2017 642,922[23] 17 5
2016 Barclaycard Arena 422,619[24] 31 4
2015 425,241[25] 36 9

NEC Group

[edit]

Parent company The NEC Group also owns and operates the ICC Birmingham in central Birmingham, and the National Exhibition Centre (NEC) and bp pulse LIVE (previously Resorts World Arena, Genting Arena and LG Arena), based on The NEC site in nearby Solihull.[26]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Our Brands | Utilita Arena Birmingham". www.necgroup.co.uk. Retrieved 15 April 2020.
  2. ^ "Our brands". NEC Group. Retrieved 24 January 2015.
  3. ^ a b "2019 Worldwide Ticket Sales Top 200 Arena Venues" (PDF). Pollstar. 16 December 2019. Retrieved 2 January 2020.
  4. ^ "Birmingham NIA". ActivBirmingham. Archived from the original on 18 October 2015. Retrieved 24 January 2015.
  5. ^ "Birmingham celebrates 25 years of city centre arena | News |NEC Group". www.necgroup.co.uk. Retrieved 14 June 2019.
  6. ^ Council, Birmingham City. "Arena Birmingham". www.birmingham.gov.uk. Retrieved 14 June 2019.
  7. ^ "About us | Arena Birmingham". www.arenabham.co.uk. Retrieved 14 June 2019.
  8. ^ "Venue Information". Barclaycard Arena. Retrieved 24 January 2015.
  9. ^ "Michael Bublé officially launches Birmingham's 'Barclaycard Arena' | Koninklijke BAM Groep / Royal BAM Group". www.bam.eu. Retrieved 11 December 2016.
  10. ^ "2018 YEAR END Worldwide Ticket Sales TOP 200 ARENA VENUES" (PDF). Pollstar. Retrieved 21 May 2019.
  11. ^ "Birmingham's revamped National Indoor Arena (NIA) to become the 'Barclaycard Arena'". PanStadia & Arena Management Magazine. 3 October 2014. Archived from the original on 28 November 2019. Retrieved 28 November 2019.
  12. ^ Rawlins, Kristen (14 April 2017). "Birmingham's Barclaycard Arena to be renamed". Express & Star. MNA Media. Archived from the original on 28 November 2019. Retrieved 28 November 2019.
  13. ^ "International firm awarded £24m contract to refurbish Birmingham NIA". Birmingham Post. Birmingham. 16 May 2013. Retrieved 14 March 2014.
  14. ^ Brown, Graeme (29 September 2014). "Michael Bublé to perform as NIA renamed the Barclaycard Arena". Birmingham Mail. Retrieved 24 January 2015.
  15. ^ [1] Archived 30 March 2012 at the Wayback Machine
  16. ^ "Barclaycard scraps sponsorship of Birmingham Arena". BBC News. 5 May 2016. Retrieved 12 July 2016.
  17. ^ "Barclaycard Arena in Birmingham changes its name again". Birmingham Mail. 11 September 2017. Retrieved 20 September 2017.
  18. ^ "Arena Birmingham to change name again - and everyone says same thing". 16 January 2020.
  19. ^ Election 92, BBC, 9 April 1992
  20. ^ "Eurovision Song Contest 1998". eurovision.tv. European Broadcasting Union. 9 May 1998. Retrieved 21 October 2014.
  21. ^ "Watch Linkin Park Perform With Chester Bennington for the Last Time". Billboard. Retrieved 21 July 2017
  22. ^ "2018 YEAR END Worldwide Ticket Sales TOP 200 ARENA VENUES" (PDF). Pollstar. Retrieved 2 January 2020.
  23. ^ "2017 YEAR END Worldwide Ticket Sales TOP 200 ARENA VENUES" (PDF). Pollstar. Retrieved 2 January 2020.
  24. ^ "2016 YEAR END Worldwide Ticket Sales TOP 200 ARENA VENUES" (PDF). Pollstar. Retrieved 2 January 2020.
  25. ^ "2015 YEAR END Worldwide Ticket Sales TOP 200 ARENA VENUES" (PDF). Pollstar. Retrieved 2 January 2020.
  26. ^ "NEC Group sold 'for £800m'". BBC News. 15 October 2018. Retrieved 23 September 2019.
[edit]
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