Exclusive:Edinburgh gives green light to 8,500-capacity concert arena

Edinburgh's ability to attract music superstars is set for a huge boost after councilors threw their weight behind plans for a new 8,500-capacity indoor arena near the city's airport.

AEG, the entertainment giants behind the recent Taylor Swift concerts at Murrayfield, have secured the green light next week for the venue.

They have pledged to bring the “world’s best artists” to the arena, work on which is hoped to begin in the first half of 2025, with the aim for the venue to be up and running by 2027.

AEG's proposed new 8500-capacity concert arena at Edinburgh Park is hoped to be up and running by 2027.

AEG has predicted that the venue will complement “one of the best cities in the world for the arts and live entertainment”.

An overall audience of more than 700,000 a year is expected to flock to the new venue, which would host music, sports and comedy events on a 200,000sqft site at Edinburgh Park.

The venue, which would be served by two existing tram stops and a train station, is predicted to create around 1,350 jobs and generate an additional £520 million for Edinburgh's economy.

It would be run by AEG, who already operate the 20,000-capacity O2 in London, as well as arenas in Paris, Berlin, Hamburg, Texas, Nevada, California and Shanghai. The company’s other venues include the Hammersmith Apollo in London and the Webster Hall in New York.

AEG's proposed new 8500-capacity concert arena at Edinburgh Park is hoped to be up and running by 2027.

After securing planning permission from the city council, AEG will be launching an immediate hunt for a commercial backer for the “naming rights” for the venue.

Alex Hill, president and chief executive of AEG Europe, said: “We’re delighted to have been granted planning consent for a cutting-edge new venue for Edinburgh.

"Having worked closely with the council, we strongly believe the arena will deliver huge benefits to the city throughout every stage of the building’s life cycle – from development to completion, for years to come when we’re bringing the world’s best artists to the Scottish stage.”

Alistair Wood, executive vice president of real estate and development at AEG Europe, added:

“We thank the council for their forward-thinking and proactive approach, and for their shared vision of a new best-in-class arena for Edinburgh.

"We now turn our attention to expanding on these plans through the appointment of an external contractor, as well as seeking naming rights partners and finalising funding partners.”

The report for councillors on the project, which was announced by AEG in November, said the arena was proposed for a “suitable location”, would be “energy-efficient” and would encourage people to use sustainable methods of transport to and from the venue.

The venue, which would be around the height of a four-storey building, is close to an existing Premier Inn hotel at Lochside Court, as well as the Edinburgh Park rail and tram hub.