Metro Radio Arena
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| Metro Radio Arena | |
|---|---|
| ' | |
| Image:Metroradio Arena, Newcastle.jpg | |
| Facility statistics | |
| Location | Metro Radio Arena Newcastle upon Tyne NE4 7NA England |
| Opened | November 1995 |
| Owner | SMG Europe |
| Operator | SMG Europe |
| Architect | |
| Former names | |
| Telewest Arena | |
| Tenants | |
| Newcastle Eagles (Basketball) Newcastle Vipers (Ice Hockey) | |
| Seating capacity | |
| Concerts: 11,000 Basketball: 6,500 Ice hockey: 5,500 | |
The Metro Radio Arena Newcastle is an 11,000 seat sports and entertainment venue based in Newcastle upon Tyne, England.
Contents |
[edit] History
Former member of the 1960s band, The Animals, Chas Chandler and his business partner Nigel Stanger conceived and helped build the arena[1]. It opened in November 1995 with a star-studded basketball game, and the first concert was performed by David Bowie on 7 December 1995.
[edit] Sponsorship
It is currently sponsored by the local commercial radio station Metro Radio. It was formerly sponsored by Telewest, and named the Telewest Arena until January 2004[2]. SMG Europe have owned and operated the venue since 2000.
[edit] Events
The Arena is currently home to the Newcastle Eagles basketball team and the Newcastle Vipers ice hockey team.
It has hosted WWE Insurrextion 2003, live on Sky Box Office and many other WWE events, most of the time selling out. World Wrestling Entertainment's last event was on 15 October 2007 with a Smackdown house show. WWE will be returning on the 18th of April 2008 with a Smackdown house show.
The Ultimate Fighting Championship will be bringing their UFC 80 event to the arena on January 19 2008.
[edit] References
- ^ Metro Radio Arena, Who We Are
- ^ Newcastle Arena Changes Name In Major Sponsorship Deal - 2004-01-12 - Press release from SMG Europe announcing the sponsorship deal with Metro Radio.
[edit] External links
| Venues of the Elite Ice Hockey League |
| Main venues: Altrincham Ice Dome | Cardiff Bay Ice Rink | Hull Ice Arena | Metro Radio Arena | Murrayfield Ice Rink | National Ice Centre | Odyssey Arena | Planet Ice Silverdome | Sheffield Arena | SkyDome Arena Secondary venues: Dundalk Ice Dome | IceSheffield | Whitley Bay Ice Rink Former venues: Alexandra Palace | Deeside Leisure Centre | Lee Valley Ice Centre | MEN Arena | Wales National Ice Rink |
