submitted by Adam Baggs, Soaring World Wide on behalf of ASM Global
ASM Global Europe, a leader in venue management, has announced plans to open four state-of-the-art venues across the UK (in London, Newcastle Gateshead, Derby and Southport) by 2027, further solidifying its position as one of the top venue operators.
The new venues, which will be opened between Spring 2025 and Spring 2027 will provide spaces for a wide range of events including exhibitions, congresses, conferences, hospitality and meetings. In addition, they will offer significant new entertainment and consumer event spaces for thousands of live event attendees.
The openings, which include Olympia, London and The Sage ICC on the Newcastle Gateshead quayside, will confirm ASM Global Europe as one of the world’s leading event space providers, with 15 venues ranging from Aberdeen, Scotland to London, England. ASM Global Europe has extensive knowledge and expertise delivering best in class events and experience for both consumers and commercial clients, which includes corporates, association, not-for profit and charity sectors.
The four venues are:
Anticipated opening 2025 – Becketwell Performance Venue, Derby is a £45 million venue set to significantly add to the city’s cultural and events offering. The venue has 1,000 sqm of exhibition space, a 2,100 theatre style auditorium, 600 banqueting capacity and 2,500 bedrooms within walking distance, whilst being just 15 minutes from an international airport.
Anticipated opening 2026 – The Sage ICC, Newcastle Gateshead will bring a world class facility to the North East of England as the first phase of the new The Sage development. The £300 million complex will include more than 5,700m2 of flexible exhibition and banqueting space, a 900-seat auditorium, plus 17 conference and meeting spaces, and benefits from 6,000 hotel rooms within walking distance, as well as easy travel connections to across the UK and beyond via the nearby Central Station and Newcastle International Airport.
Anticipated opening 2026 – Olympia London will become a destination for art, culture, entertainment, education and events through a £1.3 billion regeneration project. In addition to being connected to Olympia’s world-famous exhibition spaces, the completed complex will boast 2 internationally renowned hotels, a brand new conference centre with new conference spaces, meeting rooms and a further 2,000m² of additional exhibition space for more than 5,000 delegates, alongside 2.5 acres of new public space. Olympia has also recently announced that Incipio – best known for its ‘pergola’ rooftop venues – will take the lead on “a number of premium dining and drinking experiences” at the 14 acre west London site.
Anticipated opening 2026 – Southport Marina Lake Events Centre (MLEC) will transform the existing MLEC into a high quality, business and entertainment venue that is expected to bring more than half a million visitors a year to the destination. The venue’s purpose-built auditorium will offer space for up to 1,200 theatre style, complimented by 1,500m2 of exhibition space, breakouts for up to 1,000 attendees and views of the UK’s only permanent water and light show.
ASM Global Europe’s Sales Director – C&E, Zoe Ward comments: “We are excited by the opportunities these four new venues will bring to ASM Global Europe’s portfolio. These venues are not just spaces; they are hubs of innovation and education, designed to host a world-class array of events—from dynamic B2B gatherings to vibrant cultural and entertainment experiences.”
Ward concludes: “This, four venue, expansion is a testament to our commitment to delivering industry leading venues and services that deliver perfectly for organisers and their delegates, whilst enriching the communities in which they are located. As we continue to grow, our focus remains on setting new benchmarks in venue management, ensuring that every event is an exceptional experience for all our clients and guests.”
ASM Global’s Europe portfolio includes:
OVO Arena, Wembley, London
University of Wolverhampton at The Halls, Wolverhampton
AO Arena, Manchester
Bridgewater Hall, Manchester
York Barbican, York
First Direct Arena, Leeds
Connexin Live, Hull
Utilita Arena, Newcastle
P&J Live, Aberdeen
Further information is available via www.asmglobal.com
About ASM Global
ASM Global is the world’s leading producer of entertainment experiences. It is the global leader in venue and event strategy and management—delivering locally tailored solutions and cutting-edge technologies to achieve maximum results for venue owners.
The company’s elite venue network spans five continents, with a portfolio of more than 350 of the world’s most prestigious arenas, stadiums, convention and exhibition centers, and performing arts venues. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter. asmglobal.com
In the UK it currently manages 11 Arenas, theatres and conference and exhibition centres and its subsidiary catering company, CGC Events, operates at 11 sports, culture and heritage venues, as well as catering for outdoor and special events. ASM Global is committed to being a sustainable, environmentally and socially responsible business across 3 key pillars.
Community
Environmental Sustainability
Diversity & Inclusion
