bp pulse LIVE

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Martial arts venue

bp pulse LIVE

Birmingham West Midlands UNITED KINGDOM  United Kingdom
bp pulse LIVE is a large indoor arena on the grounds of the National Exhibition Centre (NEC) near Birmingham, opened on 5 December 1980. The opening concert was performed by Queen during the Flash Gordon tour. The arena has had several names since opening: Birmingham International Arena (1980-1983), NEC Arena (1983-2008), LG Arena (2008-2015), Genting Arena (2015-2018), Resorts World Arena (2018-2024), and, since 1 September 2024, bp pulse LIVE. For combat sports, the venue is relevant as a recurring British boxing venue, hosting, among others, the Queensberry Promotions boxing card Home Stretch (26 September 2026) and the earlier card on 2 November 2024.
Location
Location type
Arena
Address
Perimeter Road, Birmingham B40 1NT, England, United Kingdom - NEC grounds, Marston Green, Solihull district
Place
Birmingham
Region
West Midlands
Country
UNITED KINGDOM  United Kingdom
Open
1980
Capacity
15685

Contact details

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Facilities

Capacity and seating places
  • Configurable room layout
Hospitality
  • Bars and food court
  • On-site restaurant
Facilities
  • Exhibition and event halls

History

Construction began on 11 April 1979, and the venue opened eighteen months later, on 5 December 1980 as Birmingham International Arena, with a concert by Queen during their Flash Gordon tour. It was built as the seventh hall of the NEC complex.

The name changed frequently thereafter: NEC Arena from 1983, LG Arena from 2008, Genting Arena from 2015, Resorts World Arena from December 2018 and bp pulse LIVE since September 2024.

Building and architecture

The original design was by Edward Mills & Partners, with Ove Arup & Partners as the structural engineer.

In 2008 and 2009, a £29 millionrenovation took place, funded by loans from Birmingham City Council and the development agency Advantage West Midlands. A thousand seats were added, along with a foyer with new bars and restaurants. It reopened in October 2009 with a concert by Tom Jones.

Atmosphere and experience

The venue has 15,685 seats and is among the busiest in the country: in 2011, it was the tenth-busiest arena in the world, and in 2019, it ranked fifth in the United Kingdom for ticket sales.

Meaning

The venue is located on the grounds of the National Exhibition Centre in Solihull, just outside Birmingham, and is operated by the NEC Group.

It is not the same as Utilita Arena Birmingham in the city centre, which has the same operator.

Details

  • Large covered indoor arena
  • Concert and general event configuration with approximately 15,685 seats
  • Customizable configuration for boxing events
  • Part of the National Exhibition Centre grounds

Gegevens laatst gecontroleerd op 22 September 2026

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