Comedy legend Peter Kay has been confirmed as the opening act for Co-op Live when it opens this April. The Boltonian, who is currently on his 'Better Late Than Never' tour across the UK including numerous dates at the AO Arena, will perform at the new arena on Tuesday, 23 April.
Kay will be the first act to perform at the UK’s largest live entertainment arena, starting a new chapter in Manchester’s cultural story. The 23,500-seat arena will be the largest in the UK and has already confirmed its opening season with performances from Olivia Rodrigo, Take That, Eric Clapton, Nicki Minaj and Eagles, amongst others.
Tickets for the opening event will go on sale to Co-op Members in a designated presale from 10am on Wednesday, 21 February. General sale ticket will then be available through Co-op Live here and SeeTickets here.
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There's few stars who could announce 110 arena shows across the UK and near sell most of them out within hours., but that's exactly what happened when Peter Kay announced a mammoth three-year tour back in November 2022. The tour which began in December 2022 at Manchester's AO Arena before heading out across the UK was the comedian's first stand-up tour in 12 years.
The tour announcement sparked an unprecedented demand when tickets first went on sale, and date after new date was added to try to cope with demand. His tour is still on the road at present, with dates running into 2025.
Co-op Live, which was originally slated to open in December 2023, and will now open in April, will have a capacity of 23,5000 and host around 120 events a year and will feature a unique bowl design, bringing fans closer to artists than at any other arenas of its equivalent size. The landmark entertainment venue will also encompass 32 bars, restaurants, and is aiming to be net carbon neutral by 2038.
Gary Roden, Executive Director and General Manager, Co-op Live, commented: "When you think of Manchester, it’s hard not to think of Peter Kay. He embodies what this city is about, and to have him headlining Co-op Live is tremendously exciting.
"We’re creating an arena that is truly part of the community around it, and having Peter as our opening act is a perfect reminder of that.”
Those behind Co-op Live have previously confirmed that it will inject £365m of private investment into the Northwest. And it has its sights set on becoming one of the world’s premier music and entertainment venues, rivalling New York’s Madison Square Garden, The Forum in LA and The O2 in London.
Aiming to become Europe’s most sustainable arena, Co-op will be 100% electric, include rainwater recycling technology and will operate with reusable cups to significantly reduce plastic usage across the site. The venue’s ‘Gigs that Give Back’ will also generate at least £1 million annually for the Co-op Foundation to support causes on a local and national scale.
How to get tickets for Peter Kay at Co-op Live:
Tickets will be available through the Co-op Member presale from 10am on 21 February 2024. General sale will be available from 10am on 23 February 2024, from Co-op Live here and from SeeTickets here.
