The O2 Arena

🏟️ Brief Description

The O2 Arena is the UK’s largest indoor arena and one of the most recognisable live event venues in the world. Located in Greenwich, South East London, the arena has a maximum capacity of around 20,000 and hosts a constant calendar of major concerts, global sporting events, comedy tours, esports, and entertainment spectaculars.

For sport, The O2 is best known as the long-term home of Matchroom Boxing, regularly staging world title fights, heavyweight bouts, and pay-per-view events. It has also hosted NBA games, UFC events, netball internationals, tennis exhibitions, and combat sports, making it one of the most commercially important sports venues in Europe.

Its scale, transport connectivity, and surrounding entertainment district make The O2 a cornerstone of London’s live events economy.

📝 History of The O2 Arena

The O2 Arena sits inside the former Millennium Dome, a landmark structure originally built to celebrate the year 2000. After the Dome project ended, the site was redeveloped in the mid-2000s into a multi-purpose entertainment complex, reopening in 2007 as The O2.

The arena quickly became one of the busiest venues in the world. From its earliest years, it established a strong association with elite boxing, becoming the home venue for Matchroom Boxing and hosting countless world championship fights featuring global stars.

Beyond sport, The O2 has welcomed the biggest names in music, comedy, and entertainment, often recording record-breaking ticket sales and multi-night residencies. Its success helped redefine the Greenwich Peninsula and set a benchmark for large-scale indoor venues globally.

Today, The O2 Arena is consistently ranked among the top arenas worldwide by ticket sales, hosting hundreds of events annually and millions of visitors.

🚇 How to Get to The O2 Arena

Address: Peninsula Square, London SE10 0DX

Tube:

• North Greenwich (Jubilee Line) – 2 min walk via covered walkway

Bus:
Routes 108, 129, 132, 161, 188, 422, 472 serve the area

River Bus:

• Thames Clippers to North Greenwich Pier

Car:
Large on-site car parks available (pre-booking recommended)

🚇 Travel Tip: After sold-out events, queues for the Jubilee Line can be long. River boats and waiting 10–15 minutes can significantly reduce travel time.

📌 Insider Tips / FAQs

Bag Policy:
Small bags only. Large backpacks and suitcases are not permitted. All bags are searched on entry.

Best Seats:

• Lower Bowl: Best balance of atmosphere and views
• Floor Seating / Standing: Closest to the action for concerts and boxing
• Upper Tier: Good value with clear sightlines due to steep design

Food & Drink:
Inside: Multiple bars and concessions on all concourses
Outside: The wider O2 entertainment district includes dozens of restaurants, bars, and attractions

Atmosphere:
Electric for boxing and sell-out concerts; loud, polished, and production-driven.

Accessibility:
Fully accessible with step-free access, lifts, accessible seating, and assistance services throughout the arena.

📊 Arena Records & Facts

• Opened: 2007 (arena configuration)
• Capacity: Up to ~20,000
• Primary Uses: Concerts, boxing, UFC, comedy, international sport
• Signature Sport: Championship boxing
• Most Frequent Promoter: Matchroom Boxing
• Global Status: Regularly ranked among the world’s busiest arenas
• Unique Feature: Integrated into a large entertainment district with year-round footfall