YTL Live, the operating arm of YTL Corporation Bhd’s upcoming live entertainment complex in Bristol, has announced Aviva as the official naming-rights partner for its new 20,000-seat indoor arena under a long-term, multimillion-pound sponsorship agreement.
In a joint statement, YTL and Aviva confirmed that the venue will be known as Aviva Arena upon its expected opening in late 2028. The arena will rank among the largest indoor venues in the UK and will be the first of its scale in the West of England.
The companies estimate that approximately 1.4 million visitors will attend live music performances, sporting events and other entertainment activities at the arena each year.
Construction is already underway to repurpose the historic Brabazon Hangars — the original manufacturing site of the UK’s Concorde supersonic jets — into a premier live entertainment destination. The broader development, branded as YTL Live, will place Aviva Arena within the largest of the three hangars and also feature dedicated conference and exhibition facilities.
The project is projected to inject around £1 billion (RM5.26 billion) into the Bristol economy during its first decade of operations.
More than 2,000 jobs are expected to be generated during the construction phase, with up to 500 permanent positions to be created once the arena becomes operational, contributing to sustained economic and social benefits in the region.
Aviva Arena is set to host over 120 large-scale events annually, positioning it as a leading international destination and a “must-play” venue for global artists.
YTL Corporation executive chairman Tan Sri Francis Yeoh said the collaboration with Aviva reflects shared corporate principles, particularly in community engagement, inclusion and sustainability.
While highlighting YTL’s expansion into digital infrastructure — including 5G networks, artificial intelligence (AI) data centres in partnership with Nvidia, and the launch of an AI-driven digital bank — Yeoh reaffirmed the group’s long-term commitment to its core infrastructure investments.
He noted that YTL’s acquisition of the former Filton airfield in 2015 marked a strategic regeneration initiative, similar to projects the group has undertaken across Asia to revitalise dormant sites into thriving communities.
Yeoh also pointed out that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had previously unveiled YTL’s updated master plan for Brabazon New Town. The group has pledged to invest approximately £4 billion in the UK over five years, reinforcing its position as the largest Malaysian investor in the country.
Demolition works have been completed, and construction — led by YTL Construction UK — is now commencing, with completion targeted for late 2028.
