Bristol Arena, known as Aviva Arena for sponsorship reasons and formerly as YTL Arena Bristol, is a 20,000-capacity indoor arena currently under construction, to be located within Filton Airfield's former Brabazon hangar. Original plans were for the arena to be built next to Bristol Temple Meads railway station in Bristol, England, and was expected to be completed in 2020.
- Venue
- Bristol Arena
- Town
- Bristol, GB
- Capacity
- 12,000
Bristol Arena, known as Aviva Arena for sponsorship reasons and formerly as YTL Arena Bristol, is a 20,000-capacity indoor arena currently under construction, to be located within Filton Airfield's former Brabazon hangar. Original plans were for the arena to be built next to Bristol Temple Meads railway station in Bristol, England, and was expected to be completed in 2020. The site, which has become known as 'Arena Island', is to the south and across the River Avon from the station, and lies within Bristol Temple Quarter Enterprise Zone. The funding package for the arena scheme was approved by Bristol City Council in February 2014. The winning design, by Populous, was revealed in March 2015. In January 2017 a new contractor had to be sought following a failure to agree build costs. In September 2018 the plans to build the arena near Temple Meads were abandoned, primarily on cost and risk grounds. In 2019, YTL Corporation released details regarding their proposal to build the arena at the former Filton Airfield site. Planning permission was given in 2020, and construction was planned to start in 2022 with completion by early 2026. As of 2025, construction work still has yet to commence. In December 2023 the completion date was stated to be late 2025 or early 2026, but has since been pushed backed to 2028 at the earliest. Initial plans for Bristol Arena were announced in March 2003. The arena, to be built next to Bristol's largest railway station Temple Meads, was planned to have 10,000 seats and host music concerts as well as sports and conferences, and was intended to open by 2008 to coincide with the city's bid to be the European Capital of Culture. In June 2007, work had yet to begin on the arena despite around £13 million spent to purchase and clear the site. In late 2007, the plans were abandoned after developers announced that £40 million of public sector money would be required to fund the arena in addition to the £46m that had already been committed by Bristo