Birmingham Lg Arena
One of the largest and busiest venues for concerts in the UK and can rightly hold it’s own when compared to top venues worldwide. The LG Arena is a part of the NEC, the National Exhibition Centre situated in Birmingham, which is why it used to be known as the NEC Arena, until being renamed in September 2008 due to a sponsorship deal with the prominent electronics company LG. It is positioned near Birmingham International Airport and Birmingham International Railway Station, making it very accessible by car or train.
Back in its first glory days, three decades ago, it was known to be the largest versatile arena within the United Kingdom, with a capacity of no less than thirteen thousand people. That capacity has now been raised to almost sixteen thousand, after the completion of the works that lasted until October 2009. It was always a venue of choice for high-caliber artists, such as Tom Jones, whose concert inaugurated the new and improved LG Arena when the work was finished. The developments include supplementary facilities for the customers, such as bars and restaurants, hospitality areas but many more as well. In any case, it’s definitely not lacking anything in terms of facilities, as it’s got on site parking, access and special amenities for the disabled and young children are welcome, as there is no minimum age of admittance.
The NIA is next to the BCN (Birmingham Canal Navigations) Main Line's Old Turn Junction and not too far from The Sea Life Centre in Brindley Place.
It has hosted many memorable events over the years, from hectic concerts to animal displays, for instance the “Horse of the year show” which took place there in 2009, before the first concert in October. Hundreds of famous artists have held concerts there and hundreds of thousands of people have enjoyed their performances at this venue. It now stands comparison with venues of an ever greater magnitude and popularity, such as the MEN Arena in Manchester and even London’s O2 Arena.
