OVG chosen to build and operate Europe’s new state-of-the-art arena in Vienna

Oak View Group (OVG), the world’s biggest arena developer, has been named the ‘best bidder’ to lead the construction and operation of a new world-class arena in the city of Vienna following an 18-month process.

The new arena will become the best in continental Europe, enabling Vienna to compete with other worldwide capital markets and to host more of the world’s top events.

The City of Vienna launched the planning process for a new arena in 2019, with the aim of creating a ‘must-play arena’ for European music tours, major sporting events such as the ERSTE Bank ATP 500 tennis tournament which already takes place in the city, and a variety of other event formats.

The award process, led by the City of Vienna’s Wien Holding, was set up to identify a strategic partner capable of planning, constructing, financing, and operating the new arena. Following the conclusion of this process, OVG was identified as the ‘best bidder’.

Next phase

The next phase of the award process will include planning, zoning and environmental impact assessments for the project before the contract signing later this year.

Los Angeles-based OVG was founded by global industry leaders Tim Leiweke, who was responsible for delivering major venues including Seattle’s Climate Pledge Arena, the world’s first certified zero carbon arena, The O2 in London, and Mercedes Benz Arena in Berlin, and Irving Azoff, Artist Manager to The Eagles, Fleetwood Mac and Harry Styles, amongst others.

ALSD International 2023 will be hosted at Manchester City’s Etihad Stadium – which will soon have the Co-op Live as a neighbour – October 9-10. Optimising revenue through New Builds, Renovations & Service Expansions is the key focus of this industry-leading event, with architecture & design, fan experience, hospitality, premium seating, sustainability and technology taking centre stage.

Oak View Group, which has unparalleled expertise in building venues that attract the world’s best music and sporting events, has established a global reputation for arena development, building nine new arenas in the last two years.

All of Oak View Group’s arenas have a positive community impact, prioritise sustainability, and maximise safety for visitors. OVG has a record of delivering its arenas through private financing, minimising the cost to local councils and taxpayers.

Tim Leiweke, Chairman and CEO, OVG, said:

Vienna is a capital market that deserves one of Europe’s top entertainment arenas. As the gateway between Western and Eastern Europe and again ranked as the world’s most liveable city this year, it needs an arena that can attract the world’s best events. For those that doubt our commitment and wherewithal, there have been seven new arenas built in the world in the last two years and OVG did them all. We are committed to this project and will deliver on our commitments.

Proven record

Francesca Bodie, President of Business Development and lead negotiator on behalf of OVG, added:

We have huge admiration for the City of Vienna for having the vision to deliver continental Europe’s best arena, as well as the initiative to find a partner with a proven record of delivering outstanding new arenas that minimise the cost to taxpayers and prioritise innovation and sustainability.

Alongside arena development, OVG has built a reputation as the world’s leading full-service live entertainment and hospitality group. OVG 360, the company’s venue management business, services more than 300 arenas, stadiums and convention centres across the globe.

OVG’s venues combine unique premium spaces with an elevated level of hospitality that is unmatched in large arenas anywhere in the world. OVG recently acquired world-leading premium venue caterer, Rhubarb Hospitality Collection (RHC), to further raise the bar on food and beverage at its venues.

Rhubarb, which currently services high-profile venues in London, Berlin and New York, will be designing and developing bespoke menus for the premium spaces at OVG venues, including the new arena in Vienna.

OVG oversees the operations of Climate Pledge Arena at Seattle Center; UBS Arena in Belmont Park, NY; Moody Center in Austin, TX; Acrisure Arena in Greater Palm Springs, CA; and the newly opened CFG Bank Arena in Baltimore, MD; as well as arena development projects for Co-op Live in Manchester, UK; Anhembi Arena in São Paulo, Brazil; FirstOntario Centre Arena in Hamilton, ON; a New Arena and entertainment district in Las Vegas, NV; and a New Arena in Cardiff, Wales.