Cardiff International Arena (formerly known as Cardiff International Arena & Convention Centre and currently, for sponsorship reasons, as Utilita Arena Cardiff) is an indoor exhibition centre and events arena located in Cardiff, Wales, and was opened on 9 September 1993 by singer Shirley Bassey.[1] It is Cardiff's largest purpose-built exhibition facility and its former name was due to a sponsorship agreement from 2011 to 2022. The upstairs of the building is known as the World Trade Centre.[2]
The arena contains a number of function areas, the largest being the main arena which has hosted many national and international events, such as concerts, sports and comedy performances.
History
The red dragon outside the main entrance to the arena in 2023The CIA logo used before the arena was rebranded under the Motorpoint sponsorship agreement.
The arena was opened on 9 September 1993, by Shirley Bassey, in front of 5,500 fans.[1] The concert was later televised on BBC One on 30 July 1994.[3] It was officially opened by Queen Elizabeth II on 14 October 1993.[4]
In 1999, SFX Entertainment acquired the arena.[5] It is now owned by the US media giant Live Nation UK, who have confirmed they would cease to operate the existing arena and terminate their leasehold interest in the council-owned site if the new proposed arena in Atlantic Wharf is built to replace it and are successful in securing the operator lease.[6] The CIA is then expected to be closed by Live Nation and could be demolished for a new development.[7]
On 1 March 2011, the Cardiff International Arena was renamed Motorpoint Arena Cardiff, for sponsorship reasons, after the car sales company entered into an agreement regarding the naming rights to the Arena for five years in what was called "a seven-figure investment". Other names who have performed in the arena are among Westlife, Kylie Minogue, One Direction, Jessie J, Anastacia, Steps, JLS, Jason Derulo and Mariah Carey.[8]
In March 2015, the venue's 3000th event was marked by a show headlined by singer Katherine Jenkins.[9] In July 2016, Motorpoint extended its naming rights contract with the arena until at least 2021. This included a complete re-branding of the building including installation of outdoor LED signage on the arena's towers.[10]
The arena reverted back to its original CIA name on 22 September 2022 after being named Motorpoint Arena Cardiff since March 2011.[11]
During August 2023 the arena was renamed Utilita Arena Cardiff, for sponsorship reasons, after the energy company entered into an agreement regarding the naming rights to the arena.[12]
Facilities
Inside the Cardiff International Arena in October 2022
The main arena offers 4,500 square metres of exhibition space, and is very versatile, for the number of different events that take place at the arena. Full capacity can reach 7,500, in a standing layout and 5,000, for a fully seated event.
There are over 30 additional areas, including a conference suite (groups of up to 460) and four executive boardrooms.[citation needed]
Events
Comedy
Comedian Lee Evans has brought four tours XL Tour, Big, Roadrunner and Monsters to the arena, Evans played his last show before retiring from stand-up at the arena from 24 to 30 November 2014.[13][14]
In February 2015, the Welsh Opensnooker championship was transferred from the Newport Centre (where it had taken place since 2005) to the arena.[17] The arena previously hosted the championship between 1999 and 2003. In 2021 the event was transferred back to Newport, this time held at the Celtic Manor Resort.
Professional wrestling
In 2019, WWE's NXT UK brand announced the venue would host the second ever TakeOver event for the brand, NXT UK TakeOver: Cardiff. This took place on 31 August 2019 and was the first TakeOver to take place in Wales. On 21 August 2024, All Elite Wrestling made their debut in Wales, airing Dynamite and Collision as part of All In London week.[18]
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