With a great sound system, comfortable seats, and the friendliest staff in town, the Motorpoint Arena is worth a visit if you are looking for some entertainment while staying in Nottingham. The multipurpose center hosts concerts, sports, festivals, theater shows, you name it! So check their calendar and make sure to book on time, as tickets sell fast.

The origins

The Motorpoint Arena is located in the heart of the city within the National Ice Centre in Nottingham. It was built in 2000 on the site where the old Ice Stadium from 1939 was established. It is also home to the first twin Olympic-sized ice rink in the UK, which was opened later in 2001. The official opening day was introduced by English ice dancer Jayne Torvill, well known for winning the gold medal in the 1984 Winter Olympics with her partner Cristopher Dean. Both were TV stars on the show Dancing on Ice. However, the official inauguration was a month later with a concert by Simply Red, an '80s British soul and pop band from Manchester. Although today it is a renowned spot to watch concerts, it had a rough start, losing quite a lot of money in the first years. It was not until mid-2002 when Rod Stewart played in the Arena that the place started to gain popularity across the world.

How to get there

Reaching the Arena is easy by any means of transport and parking is offered if you are driving. But, make sure you pre-book online before heading there. If you rather take the tram, the nearest stop is Lace Market, just a three-minute walk to the Arena. Or if you are coming by train or bus, the main stations are only a ten-minute walk.

Satisfy your cravings

The Arena offers a variety of options if you get hungry and thirsty. There's bars, burgers, fried chicken, fish and chips, coffee, and even ice-cream. Head there before to enjoy a meal or stick around after your event. A kiosk with snacks to enjoy during the concert is also available.

Fun facts

The largest concert held in the Arena was by British girl band Little Mix, formed in the 2011-edition of X Factor. The concert retains a record of 15,685 people attending. In 2009, the Killers concert was the fastest selling show with 9,661 tickets sold in only one hour. Some of the celebrated artists that performed in the Arena include Katy Perry, Lady Gaga, Whitney Houston, Elton John, Diana Ross, and Kylie Minogue. The venue is also host to the Premier League of Darts.