O2 Arena | London

The O2 Arena is a large-scale indoor multipurpose stadium located at the center of the O2 entertainment complex on the Greenwich Peninsula in Southeast London. It is housed within the former Millennium Dome and serves as one of the highest-capacity music and sports venues in the United Kingdom.

Visual Characteristics

The arena is contained within a white hemispherical tension fabric structure supported by twelve 100-meter yellow steel masts. The stadium interior is a separate architectural entity from the dome shell, featuring a tiered seating bowl constructed of reinforced concrete and steel. The arena's roof is suspended from the dome's masts via a network of high-tensile cables, and the exterior perimeter is illuminated by blue LED lighting.

Location & Access Logistics

The site is situated at Peninsula Square, London SE10 0DX. Primary access is via North Greenwich Underground station on the Jubilee Line, which is located directly adjacent to the main entrance. The IFS Cloud Cable Car connects the site to the Royal Docks (1.1km North), and the Uber Boat by Thames Clippers serves North Greenwich Pier. On-site parking is available in Car Parks 1, 2, 3, and 4, though pre-booking is required for event days.

Historical & Ecological Origin

The outer dome structure was designed by Richard Rogers and completed in 1999 for the Millennium Experience. Following the closure of the exhibition, the interior was gutted and the current arena was designed by Populous and constructed between 2003 and 2007. The project utilized the existing dome shell as a weather shield for the independent stadium structure built beneath it.

Key Highlights & Activities

The venue hosts international music tours, tennis championships, and basketball games with a seating capacity of up to 20,000. Up at The O2 allows visitors to participate in a guided 90-minute climb over the exterior roof of the dome. The surrounding "Entertainment District" includes a cinema, a bowling alley, and the Icon Outlet shopping mall.

Infrastructure & Amenities

The complex contains over 30 bars and restaurants within the exterior concourse. Public restrooms are located on every level of the arena and throughout the Millennium Dome interior. High-density 5G cellular coverage is available, and the "O2 Wi-Fi" network provides free internet access. The facility is fully ADA-compliant, offering multiple elevators, ramps, and dedicated accessible seating bays.

Best Time to Visit

For shopping and dining without event crowds, weekday afternoons before 17:00 are optimal. Up at The O2 climbs are best scheduled for sunset to obtain panoramic views of the Canary Wharf skyline. The arena doors typically open 60 to 90 minutes prior to scheduled performance times; early arrival is required for security screening.

Facts & Legends

The dome's diameter of 365 meters and its 12 masts symbolize the number of days and months in a year, while its peak height of 52 meters represents the number of weeks. A local historical oddity is that the structure is so large it has its own internal weather system, occasionally creating light mist near the ceiling. A specific tip for visitors is that the "Sky Backstage" bar offers a quieter environment for O2 customers away from the main concourse.

Nearby Landmarks

Emirates Aviation Experience - 0.3km West

Old Royal Naval College - 2.8km Southwest

Canary Wharf Pier - 1.8km Northwest

Greenwich Peninsula Ecology Park - 0.8km South

Thames Barrier - 1.5km East