Latest news with #OVG
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
After nearly two decades, a new name for CT sports and entertainment arena will be unveiled today
Downtown Hartford's aging sports and entertainment venue — now the focus of a $145 million renovation — also will be getting a new name, as expected. An announcement on a naming rights agreement for what is now known as the XL Center is scheduled for today at 2 p.m., according to a statement from the office of Gov. Ned Lamont., who will be attending the event. The arena opened in 1975 as was known for decades as the Hartford Civic Center. The building was renamed in 2007 after the insurer XL Group which purchased the naming rights contract. The XL Group's naming rights contract expired nearly a year ago. XL, purchased by insurance giant AXA in 2018, decided to shift gears in its marketing, moving away from venue naming rights, officials with Denver-based Oak View Group have said. OVG, which runs the day-to-day operations of the venue, has said negotiations over a naming rights contract can be complex. The deal might include premium seating — bunker suites or loge seating, for example — in addition to the name on the exterior of the building. The XL Group naming rights contract ranged from $450,000 to $500,000 a year. The value dipped during COVID and when University of Connecticut's basketball program left the Big East. The basketball program has since returned to the conference. OVG is contributing $20 million to the renovations and hopes the improvements will help it to triple the number of concerts booked annually, perhaps as many as 30. Concerts are major money-makers for modern arenas. The project is downsized from $250 million in 2018 after there was no appetite for that price tag. The scope now focuses on premium, higher-priced seating in the lower half of the venue; a relocated, fully outfitted concert stage and crucial IT upgrades. Concessions also will be revamped. Kenneth R. Gosselin can be reached at kgosselin@
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
From near-disaster to a 'life-affirming' moment: This is the story of Co-Op Live so far
On this day exactly 12 months ago, the crowd at Co-op Live was turned into the most beautiful choir. The song of choice? One Day Like This, by the Bury band Elbow. The group were the first to play the UK's largest indoor arena as it finally opened its doors following a string of delays and setbacks. It was life-affirming stuff. A spine-tingling moment that saw frontman Guy Garvey cover his microphone and direct the 23,000-strong crowd in a rendition of the song as they delivered an electrifying harmony. READ MORE: Drummer gets up to play with tribute band – then people realise who he is READ MORE: Bruce Springsteen at Co-op Live - full list of banned items and rules for Manchester shows A beautiful moment that I feel lucky to have captured on my phone that night. Until Elbow had walked out on stage though, I, like many others, wondered if the UK's largest live entertainment venue would ever open its doors. Mired in technical issues which resulted in delay after delay, cancelled and rescheduled shows, and many fans out of pocket for their travel and accommodation, it was not the strongest of starts. Located at Etihad Campus, the 23,500-capacity venue came to fruition out of a partnership between American commercial real estate company Oak View Group (OVG), beloved popstar Harry Styles, City Football Group and Co-op. Three years were spent building the indoor venue next to the Manchester City ground, but it took four attempts to open it. Peter Kay was due to launch the venue but a test event headlined by Rick Astley days before highlighted just how far they were from being able to welcome fans - and even the Bolton comedian started to have a sense of humour failure. As it turned out, a snag list longer than your arm and ticketing issues would turn out to be just the start of a three-week saga. Other acts including The Black Keys and Olivia Rodrigo had to push back their gigs and Take That even moved some of theirs to the AO Arena in the interim as OVG battled with delays to the build and ensuring the stringent safety requirements for the venue were met. Hopes were raised when queues started to form outside for American rapper A Boogie Wit da Hoodie in early May, but then part of the ventilation system crashed to the floor, and fans were turned away at the eleventh hour. You can imagine the relief when Elbow took the stage a couple of weeks later, as days on end of chaos and despair were turned into jubilation and euphoria, as the state-of-the-art building finally got its long overdue moment in the spotlight. Since then, Co-op Live has played host to 105 live shows, playing to some 1.5m people in the process with artists like Liam Gallagher, the Eagles, Paul McCartney, Sabrina Carpenter and Burna Boy all playing sold out gigs. Economically, its impact has been huge - a major vote of confidence for the region's economy and Manchester's entertainment industry. The independent economic analysis says the arena has delivered a £785.5M boost to the UK economy, with a total turnover of £1.3 billion since first breaking ground next to the Etihad Stadium in Manchester in 2021. In its first year of operations alone, the new report says Co-op Live has achieved £852.2M in turnover and £455.5M in "Gross Value Added" (GVA) - a measure that reflects the additional value added to the economy, including hospitality and tourism spend at Manchester' hotels, bars, restaurants and transport network too. A year ago, the perimeter of the venue was a sea of high-vis jackets, building equipment and stewards racing hurriedly around the exits. Today, it's a much different picture as one of the greatest performers of all times prepares for the first of three sellout shows at the venue. Fans from all across the world are queued up outside in anticipation of the Bruce Springsteen's first gig, while around 1,000 staff are working to make sure it is one of the best experiences of the year for them. And, rather than talking about what could go wrong, we're talking about major milestones for the venue. For example, tonight will be the first time the arena is used with a 360-degree stage since opening. Now that it has had time to breathe, time for music fans to experience it, and opportunities to make the necessary tweaks, it's far easier to see what it represents. It is a reflection of Manchester's ambition. The city is now home to the UK's two biggest arenas in terms of capacity and that fact shouldn't be overlooked. It means more scope for booking the biggest musicians, hosting international award ceremonies and sports events, and putting Manchester on the map as one of - if not the best - cities for live entertainment. It means UK-exclusive gigs and events will be held right here in Manchester, bringing more visitors, more investment and more money to the region. We're not shy about shouting about what we do well here, but venues like Co-op Live, the AO Arena and Aviva Studios, despite their critics, are important for boosting our cultural currency, and showcasing both local and international talent. We demonstrated with the Chanel fashion show at the back end of 2023 that we have not only possess the ambition but also the means to host events that would typically be held in the capital. Now, we're building momentum with these flagship buildings and event programming at the heart of it. The live experience within Co-op Live is impressive. Having reported from the venue several times over the last 12 months, I can say that with each visit it does in fact get better. Stewards are approachable and helpful, there's very little confusion about which gate to head to anymore, and the bars and food outlets - albeit very pricey as you might expect - run seamlessly. Then there's the gigs. The space feels both vast and intimate, which I'm sure for both performers and guests is the best of both worlds. For me, it feels truly electric when you're in there. But having grown up saving up pocket money and wage slips going to gigs in Manchester and further afield, I just really hope it can be accessible. Though not set by the venue, gig ticket prices have frankly become outrageous in recent years. I remember going to see Katy Perry at the AO Arena around 15 years ago for around £25, now we're looking at fans shelling out hundreds of pounds for these experiences, which I believe for younger people is just not feasible. The artists may well set the prices, but I would like to see venues such as Co-op continue to be part of the wider conversation about how this is tackled going forward. What's the point in these blockbuster shows if the real fans can't event attend? We also shouldn't look past the issues some fans have about availability around parking, and time spent exiting the venue. I usually opt to walk back to Manchester Piccadilly rather than wait in the long queues for the tram. But at least there is a signposted and safe walking route back to the station. All that being said, I think we're moving in the right direction. I love seeing fans heading into the venue and experiencing it for the first time and I hope tonight, when Bruce Springsteen walks out onto stage with the E Street band, that just like a year ago, we're delivered the spine-tingling moment as the room swells with the sound of 23,5000 singing in harmony along with The Boss himself.
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Aston Villa announce exiting new Villa Park development as club's future vision takes a step closer
Aston Villa have revealed exciting new details of their plans for The Warehouse - the planned entertainments hub set to bring a whole new dimension to Villa Park. The plan is to bring world-class music and live entertainment to the live entertainment venue set to open next to the iconic Villa Park stadium in December 2025. The club have announced that they are teaming up with Oak View Group (OVG), global leaders in venue development, management, food & beverage, and sponsorship sales. READ MORE: Inside Villa Park: Watkins fires 'easy' warning, £50m transfer promise and Man City in trouble READ MORE: Inside St Andrew's: Stansfield position admission as Birmingham City 'really impress' auditors The plan is to make The Warehouse a key music for touring artists, a move that will bring direct competition to the existing music venues in the city. The Warehouse will have a 3,500-capacity space designed for music, comedy, and other sporting events and will look to entice fans to stay in and around Villa Park on matchdays. OVG will provide operational support within The Warehouse, with a primary focus on securing the best musical acts, as well as helping secure a naming rights partner for the venue. OVG's global expertise in venue development and operations – includes its own 23,500-capacity Co-op Live arena in Manchester and partnerships with other leading venues in the UK. Chris Heck, President of Business Operations at Aston Villa FC, commented: 'The Warehouse marks another exciting chapter in Aston Villa's proud history. "This new venue will provide Birmingham with a first-class space for live entertainment and significantly enhance the matchday experience for our fans. We're thrilled to be working with Oak View Group, whose credentials in building and managing world-class venues are second to none.' Rebecca Kane Burton, Executive Vice President, Venue Management at OVG, added: 'We are thrilled to be partnering with such an historic and forward-thinking football club. "Aston Villa shares our vision for what a modern entertainment destination should be – fan-first, community-oriented, and commercially ambitious. "The Warehouse will be a jewel in Birmingham's cultural crown, and a benchmark for future collaborations between sport and live entertainment.'
Hamilton Spectator
09-05-2025
- Business
- Hamilton Spectator
‘The Bear' star Matty Matheson is opening a restaurant in newly renovated Hamilton spot
Renowned Canadian chef and star of 'The Bear' Matty Matheson will be opening a restaurant inside the soon-to-be renovated Hamilton Arena later this year. Oak View Group (OVG) announced in a news release Wednesday that the Iron Cow Public House will span more than 9,500 square feet and seat up to 185 guests. The restaurant, located inside the venue, will be open on both event and non-event days and will include a 'speakeasy-style pub' within the space. It's the first time a restaurant has ever been located inside the arena, formerly known as FirstOntario Centre and originally Copps Coliseum, according to an OVG spokesperson. But the involvement of Matheson with the ongoing arena project — which is set to be ready by December — won't stop there. Matheson and his restaurant group, Our House Hospitality Company, will 'design and curate' menus for three concession stands, which will feature dishes from his eateries Matty's Patty's (Toronto) and Rizzo's House of Parm (Fort Erie). The Fort Erie native will also work with OVG Hospitality on food and beverage offerings for the new premium suites, according to the release. Tim Leiweke, chair and CEO of OVG, described Matheson as a 'hometown hero' in a statement, noting that the celebrated chef's 'creativity, energy and connection' to the region make him the 'ideal partner' for the Hamilton Arena project. Chef Matty Matheson, pictured in this October 2024 file photo, will be opening a restaurant inside the soon-to-be renovated Hamilton Arena. Many foodies around Ontario — and the world — are familiar with Matheson, who owns and operates restaurants Prime Seafood Palace, Maker Pizza, Bar Clams and CÀ Phê Rang, all of which are located in Toronto. Matheson also ran the now-closed Matty Matheson's Meat + Three (Fort Erie), as well as Parts & Labour (Toronto). Matheson applauded the work of OVG in a statement, adding he's 'honoured' to be a part of the project. 'Bringing people together with amazing food, great service and live music — it's everything I love,' said Matheson. 'We're building something special for Hamilton, and I'm pumped for you to see this come together.' Beyond the hospitality world, Matheson portrays the handyman Neil Fak on the Emmy Award-winning FX series 'The Bear,' has written several bestselling cookbooks and worked with Vice Canada as an internet personality. Hamilton Arena is slated to reopen its doors in December after a lengthy renovation, with the first show scheduled for the venue being Andrea Bocelli on Dec. 9, 2025.
Hamilton Spectator
07-05-2025
- Business
- Hamilton Spectator
Who is ‘The Bear' star opening a restaurant in revamped Hamilton Arena?
Renowned Canadian chef and star of 'The Bear' Matty Matheson will be opening a restaurant inside the soon-to-be renovated Hamilton Arena later this year. Oak View Group (OVG) announced in a news release Wednesday that the Iron Cow Public House will span more than 9,500 square feet and seat up to 185 guests. The restaurant, located inside the venue, will be open on both event and non-event days and will include a 'speakeasy-style pub' within the space. It's the first time a restaurant has ever been located inside the arena, formerly known as FirstOntario Centre and originally Copps Coliseum, according to an OVG spokesperson. But the involvement of Matheson with the ongoing arena project — which is set to be ready by December — won't stop there. Matheson and his restaurant group, Our House Hospitality Company, will 'design and curate' menus for three concession stands, which will feature dishes from his eateries Matty's Patty's (Toronto) and Rizzo's House of Parm (Fort Erie). The Fort Erie native will also work with OVG Hospitality on food and beverage offerings for the new premium suites, according to the release. Tim Leiweke, chair and CEO of OVG, described Matheson as a 'hometown hero' in a statement, noting that the celebrated chef's 'creativity, energy and connection' to the region make him the 'ideal partner' for the Hamilton Arena project. Canadian chef Matty Matheson and Oak View Group CEO Tim Leiweke are pictured in this supplied photo. Many foodies around Ontario — and the world — are familiar with Matheson, who owns and operates restaurants Prime Seafood Palace, Maker Pizza, Bar Clams and CÀ Phê Rang, all of which are located in Toronto. Matheson also ran the now-closed Matty Matheson's Meat + Three (Fort Erie), as well as Parts & Labour (Toronto). Matheson applauded the work of OVG in a statement, adding he's 'honoured' to be a part of the project. 'Bringing people together with amazing food, great service and live music — it's everything I love,' said Matheson. 'We're building something special for Hamilton, and I'm pumped for you to see this come together.' Beyond the hospitality world, Matheson portrays the handyman Neil Fak on the Emmy Award-winning FX series 'The Bear,' has written several bestselling cookbooks and worked with Vice Canada as an internet personality. Hamilton Arena is slated to reopen its doors in December after a lengthy renovation, with the first show scheduled for the venue being Andrea Bocelli on Dec. 9, 2025.
