Leicester Arena

The Leicester Arena stands in the heart of Leicester as a modern sports venue. It replaced an older facility and opened in January 2016 after a £4.8 million investment by the Leicester Riders Foundation. The arena seats three thousand spectators and serves as home to the Leicester Riders basketball team. It also hosts wheelchair basketball through the Leicester Cobras and supports local college sport. Community groups use the space for activities beyond professional sport. The venue has gained recognition for hosting major competitions. In 2019 it staged the Champions League of Darts, drawing top players from across Europe. Two years later it welcomed the British Open snooker tournament, adding to its reputation. The arena has twice changed its name through sponsorship deals, first as Morningside Arena and now as Mattioli Arena. Each rebranding reflected new partnerships while keeping the same building and purpose. Inside, the arena provides a single large hall with tiered seating around a central court. The floor can be adapted for basketball, darts or snooker layouts. Changing rooms and community rooms sit alongside the main space. Outside, the building sits close to Leicester’s city centre, making it easy to reach by public transport. The arena’s design focuses on flexibility, allowing it to serve both elite sport and local groups throughout the year.