AEG To Scrutinize MSG Sphere London Planning Application ‘Very Carefully’

MSG – MSG Sphere London Rendering
AEG voiced concerns that that the venue may cause congestion in the East London area

AEG responded Wednesday to the Madison Square Garden Company’s announcement that it had submitted the planning application for the MSG Sphere in East London. 

“AEG understands competition in the live music industry and does not oppose the principle of a new music venue in London,” the company, which owns and operates the nearby O2, said in a statement. “However, there is a question mark over whether such a venue should be located so close to existing venues at the Olympic Park – such as the London Stadium and Copper Box – as well as AEG’s own nearby venue, The O2 arena, and we will be scrutinizing the application very carefully given concerns as to the detrimental impact of their plans.”

The statement followed MSG’s announcement that it submitted the planning application for its state-of-the-art live music and entertainment venue MSG Sphere to the London Legacy Development Corporation. Details can be found on the LLDC website.

AEG’s iconic O2 arena is located less than three miles south of the Sphere’s designated site.

 

“It is imperative that Madison Square Garden’s proposals do not add to congestion in the area, especially on the Jubilee Line which is critical for the movement of guests to and from The O2 arena,” AEG’s statement continued. “AEG always strives to ensure that its guests have the best possible experience when they visit our venues and we will work with local stakeholders to scrutinize the application in detail and ensure MSG’s plans do not affect this.”

MSG addressed congestion concerns in its initial announcement. “To ensure a better travel experience to and from the venue, MSG would primarily schedule events to run at different times to peak rush hours,” the company stated. “And when MSG Sphere events coincide with other events at surrounding venues or with peak shopping periods at Westfield Stratford City, MSG would partner with those venues and Westfield on a combined events plan and crowd management strategy.”

While the Jubilee Line of the London Underground mentioned in AEG’s comment stops at both North Greenwich, where The O2 is located, as well as Stratford station, where the Sphere would be located, other transportation options exist. The O2, which is located on a peninsula, can be reached by car and bus through a tunnel, riverboats across the River Thames and cable cars sponsored by Emirates Airlines, which connect the Greenwich peninsula to the north bank of the Thames. Still, most people use the Jubilee Line or travel by car when visiting the O2, which can create congestion after major concerts.

Besides the Jubilee Line, the Sphere’s site can be reached using the Underground’s Central Line, national rail services that stop at Stratford rail station, buses that arrive and depart from Westfield shopping mall and car. Moreover, the under-construction Crossrail, which will connect East and West London, will provide an additional transit option.

 Madison Square Garden is affiliated with the Azoff Company, led by Pollstar parent company Oak View Group co-founder Irving Azoff.