Plans have been revealed for the London Colosseum, a 25,000-seat indoor arena proposed for Stratford's Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. If built, it would become the UK's largest indoor venue, surpassing Manchester's 23,500-capacity Co-op Live and London's 20,000-seat O2 Arena.
The project is being developed by Jericho Estates, Peacock Gym, Torch Sports, and architects Chybik + Kristof. However, no agreement has been reached with the London Legacy Development Corporation (LLDC), the park's landowner, and no formal plans have been submitted.
The arena is pitched as a major destination for sport and entertainment, potentially hosting a future London franchise in the NBA's planned European competition, as well as world championship boxing, UFC events, and international esports tournaments. The design features a multi-functional bowl that can accommodate 18,000 to 25,000 spectators.
Architect Ondrej Chybik said: 'The London Colosseum's bowl design allows the arena floor to effortlessly adapt to accommodate 18,000 and up to 25,000 spectators across diverse sporting and entertainment events.' A multifunctional tower with a hotel, residences, and community facilities is also proposed to ensure year-round activity.
It remains unclear if these plans are connected to a separate project backed by the London Lions basketball team and Mayor Sadiq Khan, which seeks a 20,000-capacity basketball arena within the M25. The NBA is planning a new Europe-based league expected to launch in 2027 or 2028, with London and Manchester identified as flagship cities.
The wider development includes a second site with two 3,000-seat venues, forming the London Colosseum Academy. This would feature a basketball school, the Peacock Boxing Gym & Academy, and an international esports training centre. The planning process is in early stages, with designs only recently made public.
