The O2 has been named as the world’s number one music venue for a third consecutive year after selling 2.3 million tickets.According to figures from Pollstar, The O2 sold 75% more tickets than any other venue worldwide with just two other venues selling over a million tickets. It also smashed its previous record of 1,806,447 tickets by 30%.
The Mayor of London Boris Johnson said: “Congratulations to AEG for the astonishing success of The O2. The superb facilities it offers have increased London’s ability to attract the biggest music stars in the world and an increasing number of international sporting events. It is without doubt an important addition to local life around Greenwich and, as a world beating attraction, an important part of London’s economy as a whole.”
Gary Bongiovanni, Editor-In-Chief for Pollstar commented: “For The O2 to still be the number one arena in the world, especially in light of the tragic death of Michael Jackson, is incredible. Further to this I get the sense that on a worldwide basis the reputation of The O2 is rapidly growing to an iconic status.”
London deserves a world-class entertainment destination
David Campbell, President and Chief Executive of AEG Europe, owners and operators of The O2, added: “These results really are quite amazing. I want to thank all the artistes, agents, managers, promoters, the more than 2,500 people who work at The O2, and all our partners. Events like the ATP Tour Finals at The O2 really did put the eyes of the world on us. London deserves a world-class entertainment destination and we will keep working hard in the next decade to ensure we remain a world leader.”
Since opening in 2007 The O2 has taken the music world by storm and has consistently hosted the world’s best music, sport and entertainment. 2009 highlights included five nights of Tina Turner, seven from Beyoncé, an eight-night residency from Britney Spears, The Killers, Paul Weller, AC/DC, Bob Dylan, Kings of Leon, Cliff Richard and The Shadows, Paul McCartney, as well as venue exclusives Star Wars: A Musical Journey, Ben Hur LIVE and the inaugural Barclays ATP World Tour Finals.
This year is looking like another blockbuster for The O2 arena with more exclusive and top-class content including the world’s biggest screening of Mamma Mia! The Movie, Jeff Beck and Eric Clapton, Lady Gaga, Dizzee Rascal and Lily Allen, Peter Gabriel, Whitney Houston, Black Eyed Peas, Rihanna, Michael Buble, Rod Stewart, as well as content only available at The O2 including the return of Julie Andrews to the London stage after 30 years, the venue’s first full-blow opera, Carmen, and a summer residency by Bon Jovi.
