Since opening its doors in 2024, Co-op Live has transformed Manchester’s cultural and economic landscape. As one of our clients, and an account I thoroughly enjoy working on, it fills me with pride to see an event as iconic as the BRIT Awards arriving in Manchester, with Co-op Live at the centre of it all.
Working closely with the Co-op Live team has given me a new appreciation for the immense effort behind staging cultural moments like the BRITs. Every detail, from programming to logistics, reflects the scale and ambition of a venue built to rival the best.
From day one, Co-op Live has delivered an exceptional line-up. Its opening season featured twelve UK-exclusive shows, with unforgettable performances from legends such as The Eagles, Bruce Springsteen, and Paul McCartney. The arena has also broken new ground: Burna Boy became the first African artist to headline a UK arena of this size, while Pearl Jam and Olivia Rodrigo joined a roster that only a venue of this calibre could attract.
Our PR work plays a key role in helping bring this story to life. From creating memorable influencer moments and supporting major artist announcements, to building excitement around new openings and launches, including the recent launch of Canalside (a new multi-use café and bar) we focus on amplifying Co-op Live’s cultural impact and keeping the buzz alive both locally and nationally.
Economically, the venue has already delivered more than £1.3 billion in turnover to the UK, including £313 million for Manchester alone. As the UK’s largest live entertainment venue, the 23,500-capacity arena has in its debut year welcomed more than 1.5 million fans across over 105 shows, redefining what it means to be a world-class arena.
The future looks just as exciting. In the coming years, Co-op Live will continue to host landmark events that put Manchester on the global stage. The BRIT Awards and MOBO Awards will both bring the UK’s biggest music celebrations to the city, while in 2027, Co-op Live will welcome the NBA marking only the second time in history the league has played in Manchester.