The UK’s largest indoor arena with capacity for 25,000 people could be built next to the former Olympic Park, if plans by a consortium get the go-ahead.
London Colosseum concept (c) Chybik + Kristof Architects
If built, the arena will serve as the permanent European home for a new National Basketball Association (NBA) franchise and will also be positioned as a destination for boxing, international esports, and gaming competitions.
With the NBA planning a new Europe-based league expected to launch in 2027 or 2028, London and Manchester have been identified as flagship cities. While the London franchise bidding is yet to conclude, plans for this new large-scale venue in London are being announced.
At the moment, they’re not saying where the indoor stadium would be built, just that it’s in the Olympic Park.
However, along with the arena, they also plan a multifunctional tower containing a hotel, residences, and community spaces, as well as a new London Colosseum Academy – a purpose-built venue comprising two venues with a 3,000-seat capacity each, and a training campus.
Ondrej Chybik, Chybik + Kristof Architects: “The London Colosseum’s bowl design allows the arena floor to effortlessly adapt to accommodate 18,000 and up to 25,000 spectators across diverse sporting and entertainment events. By prioritising genuine multifunctionality, the arena and its surrounding public spaces are built to evolve, actively combating the inefficiency of traditional, single-use stadiums.”
They’re not naming the site they’ve picked for the site at the moment.
There aren’t many sites in the Olympic Park itself large enough for what they want to build, although there is the vacant plot of land next to Stratford station, where the glowing orb had been planned before permission was refused. Alternatively, there are a couple of plots to the north of the park which could be large enough for the development.
At this stage, it’s just an announcement of an aspiration.
And I will note that the press release includes a concept image of the site, with lots of cars streaming out of it. Maybe letting their US-centric vision of sports stadiums leak through there. In reality, it’s London, so expect public transport and much wider pavements.
London Colosseum concept (c) Chybik + Kristof Architects
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