Manchester’s groundbreaking Co-Op Live Arena has only been around for a year, but it’s already shaken up the UK’s live entertainment industry. There have been countless events at the state-of-the-art venue, many of which have been transmitted to viewers around the world.
With live-streaming booming in popularity across the entertainment industry, more settings like this are likely to crop up across the country in the years ahead.
Live-Streaming Taking the UK by Storm
In the past, live-streaming was mainly used for sporting events, allowing people to view the action in real time. Now, thanks to advancements in video and internet speed, it’s used for a wide array of things.
The online casino industry sparked the modern live-streaming boom, bringing classic games like roulette and blackjack to players in their homes. The market has progressed rapidly, and now online live casino UK games include modern game show-style titles like Lightning Storm and Busted or Bailed.
The Co-Op Live Arena could have been inspired by the increase in live entertainment online, spanning way beyond the casino industry. For instance, various theatres across the UK have now started streaming their performances on the internet for people to watch from anywhere. Events such as the Notting Hill Carnival are now streamed online as well, meaning that you no longer need to attend to experience the incredible celebration.
Co-Op Live’s Model Could Inspire Other Venues
The Co-Op Live is the biggest indoor arena in the UK, with a capacity of 23,500. This means that the events that take place in it can draw in a large crowd to add to the atmosphere. However, where it shines is the way it makes itself available to people all over the world with an internet connection. Indeed, when the venue was built, it was designed from the ground up with live-streaming in mind.
The integration of technology didn’t just start when the arena opened, either. In fact, cutting edge digital advancements were used in its development, with videos made by the Unreal Engine to advertise it to stakeholders and investors. This allowed them to visualise the setting and imagine its potential as one of the world’s premier hubs for live-streamed entertainment.
Building Lauded for Its Sustainability
There have already been some incredible events at the Co-Op Live, including the Jack Catterall vs. Regis Prograis boxing match in October last year. However, the competitions and performances aren’t the only great things about this soon-to-be iconic Manchester stadium.
The other amazing thing about the building is its sustainability. It’s the UK’s first all-electric arena, featuring solar power, rainwater harvesting, and a zero waste-to-landfill policy. There is more than a football pitch’s worth of solar panels to provide power, and the rainwater is used to flush the toilets in the building.
It’s clear that the Co-Op Live is more than just another venue – it’s a vision of where the entertainment industry is heading. With more people tuning in to watch events online than ever, it’s likely that there will be many more venues like this across the UK in the future.
