The managing director of Manchester's Co-op Live arena has declared the venue's ambition to host the prestigious Brit Awards "for years to come," following a landmark week that included both the awards ceremony and a major Harry Styles album launch event.
A Landmark Week for Manchester's Premier Arena
Greg Dunstan, the managing director of Co-op Live, made the statement just one week after the 23,500-capacity venue successfully staged the Brit Awards. This event was part of a two-year contractual agreement, which also guarantees that the arena will host the highly anticipated 50th anniversary edition of the Brits next year in 2027.
"It was one of the biggest events we've worked on and it was an amazing experience," Mr Dunstan stated. "We would love to stage the Brits for years to come and think we really demonstrated what we can deliver. But for now we are focusing on hosting again in 2027 and it will be another opportunity to deliver a fantastic show."
Harry Styles Album Launch: A Major Coup
The Brit Awards were swiftly followed by another significant event at the venue: a special album launch show for global superstar Harry Styles on Friday. The former One Direction member performed to mark the release of his latest album, Kiss All the Time. Disco, Occasionally.
Mr Dunstan described the Styles show as a "massive coup for us" and emphasised that it "demonstrates that we are now at the forefront of the industry." The concert, with tickets priced at £20, was filmed by Netflix and subsequently released on the streaming platform on Sunday, just days after Styles also opened the Brit Awards ceremony at the same venue.
Showcasing Northern Capabilities Beyond London
The Co-op Live boss highlighted that the successful hosting of both the Brit Awards and the Harry Styles event underscores a growing and robust demand for major concerts and premier entertainment events outside of the traditional London-centric circuit.
"Since 2024 we have staged a number of exclusive events and one-off shows, and will continue doing so," Mr Dunstan explained. "It shows the North doesn't have to miss out on that. We were the only indoor venue Bruce Springsteen played in the UK, similar with Morrissey's latest shows."
Overcoming Early Technical Challenges
These recent triumphs come almost two years after the venue's opening, which was initially hampered by a series of technical issues. In April 2024, capacity had to be reduced for its inaugural test event featuring Rick Astley, while comedian Peter Kay was forced to postpone his first scheduled dates.
Further concerts, including performances by Olivia Rodrigo, were also delayed due to technical problems. These issues notably included a component failure within the arena's heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system, where a part separated and fell.
Reflecting on the journey, Mr Dunstan, who joined the venue approximately five months after its opening, said: "I realised quite quickly that we had an amazing venue and having gone on that journey, the team had showed an unreal resilience. Having gone through that, they showed a commitment that has allowed us to go from strength to strength."
The venue's management now looks confidently towards the future, aiming to build on this momentum and secure its position as a long-term home for flagship events like the Brit Awards, while continuing to attract top-tier musical talent to Manchester.
