OVO Hydro explained

The OVO Hydro
Nickname:The Hydro
Logo Image:OVO_Hydro_logo.svg
Address:Exhibition Way
Stobcross Road
Location:Glasgow, Scotland
Coordinates:55.8603°N -4.2849°W
Former Names:Scotland's National Arena
Scottish Hydro Arena
The SSE Hydro
Broke Ground:February 2011
Built:2011–2013
Owner:Scottish Event Campus Limited
Operator:AEG Live / ASM Global
Cost:£125 million
Architect:Foster + Partners
Project Manager:Turner & Townsend
Structural Engineer:Arup
General Contractor:Lendlease
Capacity:12,306 (all seated)
14,500 (with standing)
Publictransit:Exhibition Centre railway station

The OVO Hydro is a multi-purpose indoor arena located within the Scottish Event Campus in Glasgow, Scotland.[1]

The arena was initially named The Hydro after its main sponsor Scottish Hydro Electric.[2] The arena was known as The SSE Hydro until October 2021, when it was announced that the name was to change to "OVO Hydro", after its new sponsor OVO Energy, with a focus on making the venue more sustainable.[3] The arena was officially opened on 30 September 2013, with a concert by Rod Stewart.[4]

The OVO Hydro arena is located adjacent to the SEC Centre and the SEC Armadillo and hosts international musical stars, global entertainment and sporting events; with a maximum capacity of 14,300 and aims to attract one million visitors each year.[4] The arena was the largest entertainment venue in Scotland, before the opening of Aberdeen's P&J Live in 2019, and the fifth largest in the UK.

History

Development and planning

Planning for The Hydro began some time in 2001 as the second redevelopment of the Queens Dock in Glasgow. In May 2003, a plan had been unveiled for an entertainment arena,[5] holding 12,300 seated audience members and an extra 2,000 standing.

London-based architects Foster + Partners were appointed as the design team for the Hydro in May 2004,[6] [7] with Glasgow-based Elphinstone additionally appointed as the preferred developer for the site.[8] The design of the arena was finally released to the press in October 2005,[9] and the SECC gained full planning consent for the arena by 2006.[10]

Construction

Construction for the arena began in February 2011 by construction company Lend Lease. By November 2011, building work for the roof of the arena had begun, which was completed by April 2013. The arena's signature translucent outer cushions were installed in May 2013, along with the seating inside of the arena, marking construction of the arena completed, taking two years to complete.[11]

2013 roof fire

At approximately 15:20 on Sunday 8 June 2013,[12] flames were reported to be coming from the domed roof of the partially completed building.[13] 40 firefighters from the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service attended the blaze.[14] It was determined that the fire was caused by ongoing welding work on the building's roof.[15] [16] On 18 June, the venue's operator revealed that despite additional challenges, work on the venue was still on track for completion.[17]

Events

Entertainment

See main article: List of entertainment events at The OVO Hydro.

Sports

On 14 December 2014, the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Award ceremony was held at the venue.[18] During the 2014 Commonwealth Games the SSE Hydro was home to the netball and gymnastic events.[19] On 18 July 2015, the UFC held their inaugural Scottish event at the Hydro.[20] From 23 October to 1 November 2015, the SSE Hydro hosted the Artistic gymnastics world championships.[21]

In 2016, the venue hosted a heavyweight boxing fight between Dillian Whyte and Ian Lewison. Later it has hosted four boxing fights headlined by Scottish light welterweight boxer Josh Taylor. It also hosted two rounds of the 2018–19 World Boxing Super Series.

Professional wrestling

On 15 June 2024, WWE hosted its premium live event at OVO Hydro, marking the company's first major event in the country. As a prelude, WWE broadcast an episode of SmackDown from the arena on 14 June.[22]

Filming location

The OVO Hydro was used for exterior shots of the venue for the fictional 2020 Eurovision Song Contest in the 2020 film .[23]

Politics

The OVO Hydro was host to the largest televised debate seen in Scotland's history, , held on the evening of Thursday 11 September 2014; towards the end of the Scottish independence referendum campaign. The Mentorn/BBC Scotland organised debate, in which every secondary school in Scotland was invited to take part, involved around 7,500 first time voters and was broadcast on BBC One during the evening of 11 September 2014[24] and was presented by James Cook.[25]

Ticket sales records

In 2016, the arena handled 751,487 ticket sales; making it the eighth-busiest music arena in the world in terms of ticket sales. It also hosted the UFC's first event in Scotland.[26]

In 2019, the Hydro was the second busiest venue in the world behind Madison Square Garden in New York City.[27] The venue attracts over 1 million visitors per year, making it a regular feature in the top ten arenas globally.[28]

World's Busiest Arenas – 2018[29]
VenueTicket sales
Madison Square Garden, New York City, USA1,155,480
Kia Forum, Inglewood, USA1,119,313
WiZink Center, Madrid, Spain1,118,706
OVO Hydro, Glasgow, UK1,040,956
Accor Arena, Paris, France938,771
Little Caesars Arena, Detroit, USA845,651
Manchester Arena, UK822,155
Barclays Center, Brooklyn, USA816,980
Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia, USA807,370
Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney, Australia790,798

Notes and References

  1. News: ABOUT OVO HYDRO. 14 October 2021. OVO Hydro. 14 October 2021. live. 29 October 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211029184050/https://www.ovohydro.com/about.
  2. Web site: Scottish Hydro Arena – new name for SECC National Arena, Glasgow. www.clydewaterfront.com. 14 June 2011. 7 April 2022. 11 July 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210711161330/http://www.clydewaterfront.com/our-journey/news-archive/2011/hydro-is-new-name-for-secc-national-arena. live.
  3. News: THE OVO HYDRO IS THE NEW NAME FOR SCOTLAND'S HOME OF LIVE ENTERTAINMENT. 14 October 2021. OVO Hydro. 14 October 2021. live. 29 October 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211029173417/https://www.ovohydro.com/blog/detail/the-ovo-hydro-is-the-new-name-for-scotlands-home-of-live-entertainment.
  4. Web site: Timeline. SSE Hydro Official Website. 12 September 2009. 8 February 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160208125931/http://www.thessehydro.com/the-sse-hydro/timeline.aspx. live.
  5. Web site: Plan for (pounds) 50m arena in SECC car park Banqueting centre could attract events such as Baftas. HeraldScotland. 26 May 2003. 7 April 2022. 7 April 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220407214800/https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/11985058.plan-for-pounds-50m-arena-in-secc-car-park-banqueting-centre-could-attract-events-such-as-baftas/. live.
  6. Web site: Foster and Partners appointed to design Scotlands National Arena | Foster + Partners. www.fosterandpartners.com. 5 May 2004. 7 April 2022. 2 November 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211102141234/https://www.fosterandpartners.com/news/archive/2004/05/foster-and-partners-appointed-to-design-scotlands-national-arena/. live.
  7. Web site: Armadillo creators to design riverside arena (pounds) 50m plan for 12,500-seat centre. HeraldScotland. 29 April 2004. 7 April 2022. 31 May 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220531053434/https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/12509724.armadillo-creators-to-design-riverside-arena-pounds-50m-plan-for-12500-seat-centre/. live.
  8. Web site: SECC Urban Village - QD2 Housing, Elphinstone -. 25 September 2010. www.glasgowarchitecture.co.uk. 7 April 2022. 23 September 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210923153659/https://www.glasgowarchitecture.co.uk/secc-urban-village. live.
  9. News: SECC unveils new £62m arena plan. 27 October 2005. news.bbc.co.uk. 7 April 2022. 7 April 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220407193413/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/4382642.stm. live.
  10. News: Arena approval helps games lobby. 11 July 2006. news.bbc.co.uk. 7 April 2022. 18 April 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220418032655/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/glasgow_and_west/5169128.stm. live.
  11. Web site: Timeline. thessehydro.com. 2016-02-10. 8 February 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160208125931/http://www.thessehydro.com/the-sse-hydro/timeline.aspx. live.
  12. Web site: Fire hits city's £125m Hydro venue . . paisleydailyexpress.co.uk . 8 June 2013 . 8 June 2013 . 28 September 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130928010602/http://www.paisleydailyexpress.co.uk/renfrewshire-news/scottish-news/2013/06/08/fire-hits-city-s-125m-hydro-venue-87085-33447262/ . live.
  13. Web site: Glasgow Hydro fire: Crews tackle blaze in domed roof . BBC News . bbc.co.uk . 8 June 2013 . 8 June 2013 . 9 June 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130609014539/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-22828292 . live.
  14. Web site: Firefighters tackle blaze at Hydro concert venue on the River Clyde . . news.stv.tv . 8 June 2013 . 8 June 2013 . 18 January 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150118085310/http://news.stv.tv/scotland/228630-firefighters-tackle-blaze-at-hydro-concert-venue-on-the-river-clyde/ . live.
  15. Web site: Welder's torch blamed for starting huge fire at Glasgow's new £125m Hydro arena . . dailyrecord.co.uk . 9 June 2013 . 18 June 2013 . 18 June 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130618051724/http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/welders-torch-blamed-starting-huge-1941218 . live.
  16. Web site: Glasgow Hydro fire: Blaze caused by welding sparks . BBC News . bbc.co.uk . 10 June 2013 . 18 June 2013 . 18 June 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130618034649/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-22840462 . live.
  17. Web site: Glasgow Hydro venue construction 'remains on target' despite fire . The Courier . thecourier.co.uk . 18 June 2013 . 18 June 2013 . 20 June 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130620191848/http://www.thecourier.co.uk/news/scotland/glasgow-hydro-venue-construction-remains-on-target-despite-fire-1.103943 . live.
  18. News: BBC Sports Personality 2014: Shortlisted named for award . BBC Sport . 14 December 2014 . 7 December 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20141207164950/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/sports-personality/30158881 . live.
  19. Web site: SSE Hydro confirmed as host venue for Games Netball Final . Glasgow 2014 . 2016-02-10 . 19 August 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160819232713/http://www.glasgow2014.com/media-centre/press-releases/sse-hydro-confirmed-host-venue-games-netball-final . live .
  20. Web site: UFC Fight Night: Bisping vs. Leites . UFC . 2016-02-10 . 14 March 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160314054729/http://uk.ufc.com/event/ufc-fight-night-glasgow-2015 . live .
  21. Web site: The SSE Hydro – 2015 World Gymnastics Championships . www.2015worldgymnastics.com . 2016-02-10 . https://web.archive.org/web/20141129060149/http://www.2015worldgymnastics.com/the-championships/the-sse-hydro-arena.aspx . 29 November 2014 . dead .
  22. Web site: WWE Clash at the Castle: Scotland PLE set for June in Glasgow. April 2, 2024. Rose. Bryan. Wrestling Observer Figure Four Online. April 2, 2024.
  23. News: 2022-06-17 . Eurovision Song Contest: Which UK cities could host 2023 show? . en-GB . BBC News . 2022-06-19 . 19 June 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220619013019/https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-61844328 . live .
  24. News: Marianne . Taylor . Graham . Fraser . Louise . Sayers . Martin . Currie . Referendum Live – as it happened . BBC News (Scotland), n.d. . BBC . 11 September 2014 . 14 September 2014 . 14 September 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140914023442/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/uk-scotland-29153784 . live.
  25. News: Scottish independence: Plans announced for Scotland's 'biggest ever debate' . BBC News . 22 June 2014 . 23 June 2014 . 23 June 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140623134929/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-27966132 . live .
  26. Web site: Pollstar 2016 top 200 arena ticket sales. 27 February 2017. 3 March 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170303080211/http://www.pollstarpro.com/files/Charts2016/2016YearEndWorldwideTicketSalesTop200ArenaVenues.pdf. live.
  27. Web site: Glasgow's SSE Hydro named world's second busiest arena venue. 19 December 2019. 14 October 2021. 22 January 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210122225149/https://www.glasgowlive.co.uk/news/glasgow-news/glasgows-sse-hydro-named-worlds-17445199. live.
  28. Web site: About | OVO Hydro. O. V. O.. Hydro. www.ovohydro.com. 14 October 2021. 29 October 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211029184050/https://www.ovohydro.com/about. live.
  29. News: TOP 200 ARENA VENUES 2018. 12 December 2018. 8 June 2019. 25 May 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190525052452/https://www.pollstar.com/Chart/2018/12/2018YearEndWorldwideTicketSalesTop200ArenaVenues_702.pdf. live.

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "OVO Hydro".

Except where otherwise indicated, Everything.Explained.Today is © Copyright 2009-2024, A B Cryer, All Rights Reserved. Cookie policy.