AEG's New London Venue, British Airways ARC, Announces Opening Lineup Esteem, McFly, Zac Brown

British Airways ARC Front Row Courtesy of British Airways ARC, Credit Dematerial Venues LowRes — Rendering of the inside of British Airways ARC, the 3,800-capacity venue opening inside London’s Olympia this summer. *Courtesy of British Airways ARC / Credit: Dematerial Venues*

AEG Presents has revealed the first wave of artists performing at London’s most anticipated new venue, British Airways ARC. The 3,800-capacity state-of-the-art, purpose-built live music and events venue is located above the existing west exhibition hall in Olympia, a site steeped in musical history.

The first wave of artists performing at British Airways ARC includes Self Esteem on two nights, including the June 16, 2026 opening night, followed by McFly on June 18 and Zac Brown on June 25. Khalid has been confirmed to perform on Oct. 24.

The venue has also formed a programming partnership with the prestigious EFG London Jazz Festival beginning with Branford Marsalis and Dianne Reeves Celebrate John Coltrane on Nov. 21.

Tickets for all these shows will go on sale Friday, March 27, at 10 a.m. GMT. There’s an AMEX Cardmembers pre-sale starting March 25 at 10 a.m., and various artist presales, as well as a British Airways ARC Venue presale in the days before March 27, as well.

British Airways ARC is part of the £1.3 billion ($1.7 billion) transformation of the iconic Olympia, London, which in addition to British Airways ARC will feature a 1,575-seat theatre, 30 bars, restaurants and eateries, two hotels and 550,000 square feet of office space.

Olympia Dusk CourtesyOfOlympia — Rendering of what Olympia, London will look like at dusk, once completely finished. *Courtesy of Olympia*

“British Airways ARC is the first venue of its size to be built in London from the ground up in over a decade, demonstrating AEG’s long-term investment in UK live music. Visitors will be able to enjoy the very best audio and all round customer service in this artist and fan first designed building. By employing cutting edge technical innovation, British Airways ARC will deliver an unparalleled live event experience,” according to a press release from AEG Presents.

Built as an events and exhibitions venue almost 140 years ago, the site hosted some of the most iconic artists in music, including Jimi Hendrix, Rod Stewart, Primal Scream, The Cure and The Chemical Brothers, among many others. “British Airways ARC honours that heritage and will bring incredible live music and events back to this part of the capital,” the press release continues.

Lucy Noble, Senior Vice President UK Venues at AEG Presents, said, “We are very proud of our newest venue and to have this line up of the first incredible artists set to play is a fantastic way to begin the British Airways ARC story. When fans come to see shows at British Airways ARC they are going to be able to enjoy world class facilities across everything from sound to seating and we really can’t wait to open the doors.”

Subscribe to Pollstar HERE

Daily Pulse