The National Indoor Arena (NIA) is one of the busiest, large scale indoor sporting and entertainment venues in Europe. Since opening in 1991, it has welcomed visitors to over 30 different sports and an extensive variety of entertainment and music. Everything from Oasis, Coldplay, Sir Cliff Richard and Kings of Leon, to Disney on Ice and Cirque du Soleil.
The Arena which is owned by parent company, the NEC Group, is situated in central Birmingham, England. When it was opened in 1991, it was the largest indoor arena in the UK. The multi-purpose arena is as flexible as possible; it can stage concerts, entertainment spectaculars, business conferences and exhibitions. The adaptable format of the NIA Academy creates a more intimate theatre-style auditorium to accommodate smaller concerts, ballet as well as comedy and theatre. The Arena has a capacity of up to 12,700 using both permanent seating and temporary seating configurations.
The NIA was officially opened on 4 October 1991 by the athlete Linford Christie.
At the end of 2011, the NIA announced that it was set to undergo a £20.6 million transformation. The refurbishment of the building will be taking advantage of its unique location on the city’s canal side and will feature a new showcase entrance straight from Brindleyplace into the arena, with large glazed views over the water and the city.
The work is set to get underway in late 2012 and will include improved facilities and a much greater emphasis on both the pre and post show experience. The flow within the venue will be made much easier, with the intention of increasing the ease of access and comfort for promoters, artists and visitors to the building.
The NIA is located alongside the Birmingham Canal Navigations Main Line's Old Turn Junction and opposite the National Sea Life Centre in Brindleyplace. Close to the NIA, is The ICC which is also owned by the NEC Group.
Read more about National Indoor Arena: Notable Events
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