$2.8 Billion For UK Economy: ABBA Voyage Impact Measured

Music, culture and creative economy consultancy Sound Diplomacy conducted an economic impact assessment of ABBA Voyage, the holographic concert residency, as well as the construction of the bespoke arena.

The impact study focused on three geographic areas: the local area (London boroughs of Newham, Hackney, Tower Hamlets, and Waltham Forest); London as a whole; and the UK.

The evaluation looked at the impact since May 2022 on audiences, workers, and economies.

Sound Diplomacy’s approach included an economic impact analysis, which examined “direct, indirect and induced contributions, including job creation, venue operations, ticket sales, spending patterns inside and outside of the arena and local business activity; social value assessment, which explored how ABBA Voyage contributes to employment, skills, health, and community engagement; and sustainability & environmental considerations, evaluating the venue’s carbon footprint, energy efficiency measures, and long-term sustainability efforts since May 2023.

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Findings highlights pertaining to economic growth:

• £2.06 billion ($2.8 billion) in total UK turnover generated to date
• 19% of economic activity retained within the local area
• 9,739 annual workers supported across the UK

Cultural Tourism impact:

• over 3.5 million visitors welcomed since opening
• 19% of audiences travelled from outside the UK
• High levels of non-ticket spending boosted London’s hospitality, retail and accommodation sectors
• Visitors spent an average of £224 ($300) per trip, supporting extended stays and wider economic benefit

Sound Diplomacy also found that the ABBA Voyage project “enhanced employee wellbeing and prioritized local recruitment for entry-level roles,” and “demonstrated how large-scale entertainment can strengthen connection, identity and shared cultural experience.”

In terms of sustainability and innovation, the report highlights that ABBA Arena was “designed using modular construction and energy-efficient technology; 86% of visitors in London travelled by public transport, on foot or by bicycle; 94% of staff commute to work by public transport, on foot or by bicycle.”

The arena perates on a 100% renewable energy tariff, and provides a zero-emissions shuttle between the arena and London’s Victoria Station.

The report find that ABBA Voyage “demonstrates a scalable, lower-impact model for future cultural infrastructure.”

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