London's reputation as the world's premier city for music lovers is set to receive another significant boost with the announcement of a major new performance space coming to the capital's western district.
A New Era for West London Entertainment
The newly revealed British Airways ARC will be a 3,800-capacity music and events venue scheduled to open in 2026 as part of the transformed Olympia London development. Located above the existing west exhibition hall at the former Kensington Olympia site, this ambitious project represents a substantial addition to London's live music landscape.
While 2025 has seen some challenging news for London's music scene with the closure of beloved institutions like Corsica Studios and G-A-Y, the arrival of British Airways ARC alongside other forthcoming venues including Peckham Palais and the Jazz Cafe in Stratford signals a positive shift for the capital's cultural offerings.
Prestigious Management and Historic Location
The venue will be operated by AEG Presents, the highly respected entertainment company behind massively successful events such as All Points East and BST Hyde Park. This association suggests that concert-goers can anticipate an impressive roster of internationally recognised artists performing at the new space.
Olympia London itself brings considerable historical significance to this partnership, having hosted legendary performers throughout its 140-year existence. The iconic venue has previously welcomed music greats including Jimi Hendrix, Rod Stewart, Primal Scream, The Cure and The Chemical Brothers, establishing a rich musical heritage that the new development aims to honour while incorporating modern facilities.
Part of a Major Redevelopment Project
British Airways ARC represents just one component of the enormous £1.3 billion redevelopment transforming the Kensington Olympia area. The comprehensive development plan also includes:
- A 1,575-seat theatre
- 30 diverse bars, restaurants and eateries
- Two new hotels
- 550,000 square feet of office space
Andrew Spencer, Chief Operating Officer at AEG Presents Europe, expressed enthusiasm about the project, stating: 'This is a pivotal moment as we open the diary for bookings and reveal the name of British Airways ARC. We're delighted to be working with British Airways and as we take the next step towards opening all the teams are very excited. Olympia is a place that has an incredible musical history which we want to honour whilst creating a venue that is thoroughly modern with world class facilities for artists and fans alike.'
Music enthusiasts eager to receive early announcements about events and performances at British Airways ARC can register for the venue's mailing list to ensure they're among the first to know about upcoming programming.
