The Scottish Events Campus (SEC) in Glasgow has cemented its status as a premier global entertainment hub, delivering a staggering economic windfall of over half-a-billion pounds to the city last year. Newly released figures reveal the venue, home to the iconic OVO Hydro, drew more than two million visitors from across the world in 2025, generating a remarkable £557 million in economic value for Glasgow and its surrounding region.
A Year of Record-Breaking Performances and Revenue
In a landmark year that marked the SEC's 40th anniversary, the campus reported a total turnover of £54.4 million, with its live entertainment division alone contributing £15.6 million. This financial success was fuelled by a packed calendar of approximately 150 live concerts at The Hydro, alongside numerous conferences, trade fairs, and other major events. The influx of visitors provided a significant boost to local businesses, including hotels, bars, restaurants, and retail shops throughout the city.
International Superstars and Sold-Out Shows
The venue's pulling power was demonstrated by a roster of international music icons. American chart-topper Benson Boone delivered one of the year's most spectacular productions, with CEO Dominic McKay highlighting the event as a particular standout. 'The evening he put on was spectacular from a production point of view,' McKay said. 'The crowd sold out and because of his profile he brought in a whole raft of families as well.'
Other major acts included sold-out performances by Scottish singer Lewis Capaldi and American pop sensation Sabrina Carpenter, who expressed her affection for the city on social media. The demand was so intense that Australia's 'Princess of Pop', Kylie Minogue, added an extra Glasgow date to her Tension Tour after her initial show sold out in just eight minutes.
The Glasgow Factor: Enthusiastic Audiences and Future Ambitions
McKay attributes the site's ability to attract top-tier talent partly to the legendary atmosphere created by Glasgow's famously passionate and enthusiastic audiences. 'When I travel abroad, I always hear from people first-hand about how amazing Scotland, and particularly Glasgow, is as a location for music, sport and major events in terms of warmth and enthusiasm,' he noted.
Looking forward, the SEC has an ambitious pipeline for 2026, with major artists like Richard Ashcroft, Olivia Dean, Tame Impala, and Gorillaz already confirmed. Furthermore, the campus aims to elevate Glasgow's global profile by hosting events linked to the Commonwealth Games and the World Cup this summer.
'We are proud of the role the SEC played in helping Scotland to attain its international profile through the events we've hosted here,' McKay added. 'The SEC is in great shape. We're ambitious to make sure our events programme helps Scotland and Glasgow continue to flourish for the next 40 years too.' With continued growth projected, the venue is poised to deliver even greater economic benefits to the city and the nation in the years to come.
