- The multi-million-pound agreement is the UK’s largest-ever naming rights renewal deal, extending one of the country’s most recognised brand partnerships for a further 10 years
- O2 doubles down on its commitment to live music in the UK, securing long-term venue presence and enhanced benefits for its customers nationwide – including 50% more tickets to shows at The O2 available exclusively via Priority Tickets
LONDON, 7 October 2026 — Following a series of record-breaking years for The O2 and ahead of the venue’s 20th anniversary in 2027, AEG and O2 today announced a major multi-million-pound extension of their long-standing naming rights partnership. Under the landmark agreement, O2 will retain naming rights to The O2 until 2038, marking the largest naming rights renewal of its kind in UK history. The agreement builds on one of the most successful venue naming rights partnerships in the world and reflects a shared commitment to enhancing the live entertainment experience, supporting artists and delivering added value for fans.
Owned and operated by AEG, The O2 has grown into the world’s most popular live entertainment destination, welcoming more than 100 million visitors and hosting over 6,800 events since opening in 2007. Together, AEG and O2 have consistently set the benchmark for venue-brand partnerships, delivering landmark cultural moments ranging from temporarily renaming the venue ‘The O3’ during Drake’s seven-night residency to creating a digital recreation of The O2 within Fortnite.
The partnership has evolved over time in line with changing needs and fan demand, helping to maintain the venue’s status as best in class – for example, through the O2 5G DAS mobile network, ensuring an excellent connection even during sell-out events, and introduction of high-speed Virgin Media gigabit broadband Wi-Fi.
As well as boosting the number of tickets available to shows at The O2 through Priority Tickets by 50%, O2 and Virgin Media broadband customers will, for the first time, enjoy Priority access to shows at indigo at The O2 under the new agreement.
The inclusion of indigo at The O2 expands the partnership’s support for emerging talent, providing O2 customers with access to performances from artists at an important stage of their development before they progress to arena-scale shows.
Gareth Griffiths, Director of Partnerships and Sponsorship at Virgin Media O2, said:
“Live entertainment is in O2’s DNA, and for nearly two decades The O2 has been at the heart of how we reward and excite our customers, giving them access to world-class experiences through Priority they simply cannot get anywhere else. We are thrilled to extend our partnership for another 10 years.
“Our contract renewal with AEG reflects our confidence in the future of The O2 and our commitment to the UK’s live entertainment industry. We’ll continue supporting artists at every stage of their careers, from indigo at The O2 through to arena headliners, bringing our customers closer to what they love and helping them create memories that last a lifetime.”
Paul Samuels, President of Global Partnerships at AEG International, said:
“The renewal of our partnership with O2 reflects the enduring strength of a relationship built on trust, innovation and a shared ambition to deliver exceptional live entertainment experiences. Over the past two decades, The O2 has become one of the world’s most successful and recognisable entertainment venues, and this landmark agreement ensures we can continue investing in the venue, enhancing the fan experience and setting the standard for premium live entertainment for many years to come.”
The announcement comes as The O2 prepares to celebrate its 20th anniversary in 2027. A series of special events are already on sale, including performances from Maisie Peters, Jorja Smith and SOMBR, with further announcements to follow in the coming months. O2 customers will continue to receive access to tickets through Priority, which has sold more than 3.9 million tickets at The O2 over the course of its partnership.
ENDS
Media Contacts:
Virgin Media O2: sam.roberts@virginmediao2.co.uk
AEG: kylie.taylor@aegworldwide.com
Notes to Editors
About The O2
The O2 is the world’s most popular live entertainment, leisure, and retail destination, owned and operated by AEG International, the world’s leading sports and live entertainment company.
Hosting over 200 events each year, its 23,000-capacity arena is the busiest in the world and has sold more than 30 million tickets since opening in 2007. Proudly certified as an AGF ‘Greener Arena’, the iconic venue has also been recognised as Billboard’s ‘Top International Arena’ for 2026.
Welcoming over 11 million visitors annually, The O2 is also home to the 2,750 capacity venue indigo at The O2, roofwalk attraction Up at The O2, Outlet Shopping at The O2 – London’s best performing outlet, and a wide range of leisure attractions, bars and restaurants. A full day-out destination, The O2 is conveniently located just 15 minutes from central London.
For the latest news, visit The O2 Press Centre.
The O2 – Economic Impact & Community Footprint
- Greenwich Peninsula Impact: Since its arrival in 2007, The O2 has driven the transformation of the Greenwich Peninsula into a world-class entertainment destination. In Greenwich alone, the venue supports 6,760 jobs, generates £700 million in local expenditure, and contributes £380 million in GVA annually.
- UK Economic Contribution: In 2023, The O2 contributed £2.8 billion in visitor expenditure, £1.5 billion in GVA, and supported 25,000 jobs across the UK.
- Social Value: In 2025, The O2 delivered over £7.4 million in social value in Greenwich and £12.5 million across London.
- Arena Sector Context: UK arenas host 14.5 million attendees annually, generating £1.85 billion in total economic activity (£1.2 billion in direct event spend, £648 million spent outside venues in local pubs, restaurants, hotels, and transport). For every £1 spent on venue tickets, audiences spend £1.62 in the local economy. (LIVE & National Arenas Association)
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