This December marks a fantastic milestone for one of our city's most beloved venues, The SSE Arena, Belfast, as it celebrates 25 years of delivering unforgettable live entertainment to millions. Since opening its doors in the year 2000, the Arena has also marked a quarter-century of partnership with Ticketmaster Ireland, a collaboration that has been central to bringing countless memorable moments to audiences across Northern Ireland and beyond.
Over these 25 years, the SSE Arena has become a true hub for cultural and sporting events. It proudly welcomes around 700,000 visitors every single year, proving its vital role in our local community and economy. During this time, the venue has hosted an incredible 3,000-plus events, including more than 770 thrilling Belfast Giants ice hockey games and well over 1,100 spectacular concerts, processing a staggering 13 million tickets through its long-standing partnership with Ticketmaster.
The collaboration between The SSE Arena and Ticketmaster has continuously evolved, always aiming to enhance the experience for fans. They've been at the forefront of introducing innovative, technology-driven improvements to make attending events smoother and more enjoyable. From the early adoption of mobile ticketing to strengthened anti-fraud measures, technology has played a key role in improving the customer journey and streamlining event operations for everyone.
In a move to boost security and make entry even easier for fans, The SSE Arena was one of the first venues in Ireland to introduce Ticketmaster’s SafeTix™ platform in 2023. Furthermore, since the 2013/14 season, dedicated Belfast Giants season ticket holders have enjoyed the benefits of Ticketmaster’s Archtics platform, a special digital hub that allows them to easily access, manage, and download their tickets through the Ticketmaster mobile app. These advancements ensure better coordination, flexible payment options, and overall a more reliable and enhanced fan experience.
Claire Cosgrave, Associate Director of Arena and Experience at The Odyssey Trust, reflected on this significant journey, stating, “For 25 years, Ticketmaster Ireland has been an invaluable partner in the evolution of The SSE Arena. Together, we’ve navigated significant changes in the live entertainment sector, from traditional box office queues to fully digital ticketing, always aiming to enhance the experience for fans. As we mark our 25th anniversary, we are immensely proud of what this partnership has achieved and excited for the innovations and opportunities that lie ahead.”
Paul Skeffington, Vice President of Sales and Business Development at Ticketmaster Ireland, also shared his enthusiasm, commenting, “The SSE Arena has always shared our passion for giving fans the best possible live experience and has been an eager pioneer of new ticketing technology – that’s why this partnership has worked so well for 25 years. Supporting over 3,000 events together since 2000 is something we’re really proud of – essentially half of Ticketmaster’s lifetime. With Ticketmaster turning 50 next year, we’re looking forward to building on that shared vision and creating even more great nights for fans in Belfast.”
As The SSE Arena looks forward to many more years of hosting world-class events, this quarter-century milestone is a testament to its enduring commitment to bringing top-tier entertainment and unforgettable memories to the heart of Belfast.