Motorpoint Arena Nottingham

The Motorpoint Arena Nottingham stands in the Lace Market district as part of the National Ice Centre. It is the biggest live entertainment venue in the East Midlands, replacing the former Nottingham Ice Stadium which opened in 1939. The new centre was opened in April 2000 by Olympic gold medalist Jayne Torvill. During construction, workers uncovered a 1,100-year-old Saxon jug now displayed at Nottingham Castle Museum. A 19th-century graveyard was also found beneath the car park and the bodies were exhumed. The arena has hosted major events including concerts by Little Mix and Westlife, who performed 22 times between 2001 and 2019. It has welcomed stars such as Beyoncé, Ed Sheeran and Elton John. The Nottingham Panthers ice hockey team play their home games here. In 2012, the arena hosted a world title fight featuring local boxer Carl Froch. The venue also staged the 2023 IIHF World Championship Division I Group A ice hockey tournament. Visitors find a large indoor space designed for concerts, sports and events. The arena’s capacity can be adjusted, with a draping system reducing it to 4,000 for smaller shows. The National Ice Centre includes two Olympic-sized rinks used by the Panthers and for public skating. The surrounding Lace Market area offers cafes, bars and historic architecture. The arena remains a key cultural and sporting landmark in Nottingham.