Great Revamp of the Dome (The O2 (formerly the Millennium Dome))

Member Name: GeordieNick

Product:	The O2 (formerly the Millennium Dome)
Date:	31/07/09 (96 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Large capacity, Nice complex

Disadvantages: Exiting can be tricky

The O2 Arena was a good thing to come out of the heavily criticised Millenium Dome. It is an arena located in the middle of the O2 complex and is used for a variety of purposes. Not only is it one of the largest indoor arenas in Europe but it also holds the name of the Worlds Busiest Arena which just goes to show that some good as come out of the Millenium Dome in Greenwich. The maximum capacity of the O2 Arena is 23,000 but this will vary depending on the event as less can be used for events which take up more floor space such as Ice Hockey. After the closure of the Millenium Experience, it was revamped as an entertainment facility and in 2007 the O2 Arena opened.

When I visited the O2 Arena it was for a musical event to see Nickelback. Not the best band in the world but they certainly put on a good show. I will run through the experience from start to finish to try and give you a good feel of the Arena.

You can access the Arena easily using public transport with North Greenwich station being right beside the Arena. Once out of the station the complex is just there beside you. Once inside the complex you will be inside a ring if you will, with the O2 Arena being the centre piece. Along this ring are bars, restaurants, toilet areas and shops to keep you busy if you have time before using the Arena. There are specified areas to queue which took a fair amount of time but it was handled reasonably well in my opinion.

We were situated right at the front of the upper tier so had a good but death defying view of the Arena. The Arena is an impressive sight and is by far the biggest indoor arena that I have been to. There are seats on three sides of the Arena all with upper and lower tier seating. For some events floor space is also used. I was a little dissapointed with our seats as it was a big risk to your safety jumping up and down and dancing about with the saefty barrier being just a tad higher than your waist standing up. Obviously this only applies to them seats though. Since the arena is big there is a lot of space for sound to escape but the arena is very enclosed which did help it.

Exiting the arena is not difficult, but exiting the complex is a different matter. Due to the outskirts of the arena being a ring shape it can get very congested after an event with there only being a few exits around the complex. What this does ensure though is when you are out of the complex it is pretty easy getting to the station and you do not have to wait long for a train. So I suppose, the ring of the O2 complex is the Wembley Way of Wembley.

The O2 Arena is a great indoor arena which has hosted many sporting, musical, comedy and one off events and is due to play a part in the 2012 London Olympics by hosting artistic gymnastics and the basketball final.

Summary: A great indoor arena inside a nice complex.