Odyssey Arena toasts €146m success

An arena built as part of Belfast’s millennium celebrations has – unlike many others – proved a success by contributing over £100m (€146m) to the local economy, it was revealed today.

The Odyssey Arena, on the bank of the River Lagan in central Belfast, has entertained more than 2.75 million people at almost 600 events in its first five years.

A study by Deloitte also found that events at the arena have done their bit for tourism, creating 26,000 overnight hotel bookings in the city – with 9% of audiences travelling from outside the North.

Five years after opening its doors for the first time, the 10,000-seat arena continues to attract a variety of international events, from concerts and exhibitions to major sporting activities.

It is also home to successful ice hockey team the Belfast Giants.

The large capacity of the arena has placed Belfast firmly on the international concert map.

From Britney Spears, Elton John, Rod Stewart, Oasis and Coldplay to Andrea Bocelli, they have all filled the arena.

Westlife have already performed at the venue 38 times. When they appear for two concerts in the spring, a record-breaking total of 400,000 adoring fans will have flocked to watch them there.

Chief executive Nicky Dunn said she was delighted with the success of the first five years.

“When I arrived in Belfast to run the arena, people told me I would only get B-list entertainers. From day one we have proved them wrong.

“Every year we have continued to build on our position as a world-class venue and this year has been no exception.”

The 2006 diary is filling up fast, with musical Mamma Mia! Running for 29 performances, Westlife performing and the arena playing host to the North’s largest conference – the Rotary International Great Britain and Ireland Annual Conference.