Arenas Europe launches as association rebrands

The European Arenas Association has rebranded as Arenas Europe, marking a new phase for the 35-year-old network as it seeks to strengthen its visibility, grow its influence and expand its role in the future development of the arena sector.

The new name comes as the association broadens its work in education, leadership development and sector advocacy, and at the same time welcomes three new members to its network: Inalpi Arena, Turin; MVM Dome, Budapest; and Velomax Berlin.

Now in its 35th anniversary year, the rebrand and the new member additions signal a more outward-looking chapter for the organisation, one that places greater emphasis on collaboration, professional development and the role arenas play in the economic, cultural and social life of European cities.

Robert Fitzpatrick, President of Arenas Europe, said:

“This new identity reflects both who we are and where we are going. For 35 years, the association has brought together leaders from across the arena sector to share expertise, raise standards and strengthen our industry. As Arenas Europe, we are building on that legacy with renewed clarity, ambition and a stronger outward-facing voice for the sector. Education is central to that vision, because if we want world-class arenas, we need world-class people.”

The 2026 SVB LIVE Conference & Exhibition – with a focus on elevating the live experience – is being hosted at Everton’s new Hill Dickinson Stadium on October 1st and 2nd, with an Opening Night Icebreaker at Liverpool FC’s Anfield stadium on September 30th.

The rebrand comes at a moment of growing momentum for the association, with education now central to its strategic offer to members and to the wider sector.

The Arenas Europe Education Programme is designed to create a structured professional pathway for arena and live event professionals, with a framework that includes the sector’s first MSc Business in Technology developed with Ulster University Business School, a set of Micro-Credentials, a planned Certificate in Venue Business, and a digital wallet that allows professionals to build portable qualifications over time.

The programme is intended to support lifelong learning, establish clearer competency frameworks and build the next generation of arena leaders.

Arenas Europe represents 46 arenas across 20 European countries, operating some of Europe’s leading venues and staging outstanding programmes of music, family shows, comedy, sport and corporate events. Together, they help shape the future of live entertainment across the continent.

The new members of Arenas Europe are:

Inalpi Arena, Turin is one of Italy’s largest indoor arenas and a major venue for sport and entertainment. Built as part of the legacy of the Turin 2006 Winter Olympics, it hosts the Nitto ATP Finals alongside major concerts and international live events.

MVM Dome, Budapest is one of Europe’s most significant contemporary indoor venues, with capacity for more than 20,000 and status as Europe’s largest handball arena. Since opening in 2021, it has hosted major international sport, including the EHF Champions League Women’s FINAL4, as well as global music acts and large-scale public events.

Velomax Berlin operates two major venues: Velodrom and Max-Schmeling-Halle. Together they form a substantial part of Berlin’s indoor events infrastructure, with capacities of up to 12,000 and approx 11,900 respectively for concerts and large-scale live events. Max-Schmeling-Halle is home to Füchse Berlin and Berlin Recycling Volleys, while both venues host major concerts, sport and entertainment.

Fitzpatrick added:

“We are delighted to welcome these new members to Arenas Europe. They broaden our reach, strengthen our network and reflect the scale, diversity and ambition of the sector we represent. They also share something important with our existing members: a belief that arenas matter not only as venues, but as drivers of cultural life, economic activity and social connection in their cities.”

As Arenas Europe enters this next phase, its refreshed identity, growing membership and ambitious education platform mark an evolution in its role: not only representing the arena sector, but helping to shape its future through stronger collaboration, more structured professional development and a clearer collective voice across Europe.

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