Construction has finally begun on the Bristol Arena at Filton Airfield set to be the centerpiece of Brabazon New Town in North Bristol, South Gloucestershire, UK, as demolition comes to an end at the former hangars.
‘bristolpost.co.uk’ stated that the transformation of the historic former Filton Airfield in North Bristol is being delivered by the YTL UK Group and is seeing the historic Brabazon Hangars transformed into a state-of-the-art arena featuring interlinking exhibition and conference facilities with the venue due to open in 2028.
The YTL Arena Bristol is a proposed 20,000-capacity indoor arena, to be located at the former Filton Airfield’s Brabazon hangar (UK).
The Filton Airfield was a historic, private airport in South Gloucestershire, near Bristol, UK, that operated from 1911 until 2018.
Bath (UK)-based the YTL UK Group is made up of nine distinctive companies each with ambitious plans for the future. Its portfolio of award-winning companies works across various sectors including water, engineering, property, and entertainment and share a common aim of delivering excellence.
The Brabazon Hangars are historic, 1940s-era aircraft assembly buildings located at Filton in North Bristol (UK) famously known as the birthplace of the Brabazon Airliner and the supersonic Concorde.
‘bristolpost.co.uk’ further stated that the above site looks considerably different following the demolition and deconstruction phase and those behind the project say that it is now ‘all guns blazing’ with sights still set on an end of 2028 opening date.
The arena complex will be connected to the rest of Brabazon – which was recently backed by the Government as one of the flagship new towns across United Kingdom – by a new accessible bridge. The left side hangar will contain the entertainment venue and the right side hangar will be home to a conference and exhibition center.
Informed John Thompson, YTL Construction (a full-spectrum construction group offering services from concept and design through to building and fit-out) UK Chief Executive, “Over the last year we’ve been going through the demolition and what I would call the dismantling of the structure. We’ve been respecting the heritage of the building. These are amazing buildings that we really want to respect as we’ve been working through it. So, we’ve been carefully taking it apart, getting it ready for the enabling works as construction has begun. We’ve also retained some of the existing structures which will be incorporated into the new building.”
The arena, which in its designs has a 20,000-capacity, only actually has planning permission for just over 17,000.
Added Andrew Billingham, YTL Arena head honcho, “I think what’s really important is that we have a venue that can compete right at the top with the other Cities. So, one of the key things that we’ve done from a design perspective is to make sure we get the best and biggest capacity that we can, which is 20,000. That puts us firmly in the top three. We’re on level with the 20,000-capacity The O2 Arena in London (UK) for capacity. In planning terms, we’ve got planning for just over 17,000. We got planning for that back in 2020. But it’s important that we’ve got the design that can grow to 20,000 and, should we want to go for additional planning, then we’ll apply for additional planning to get up to 20,000. But it’s important that we can compete with the bigger Cities.”
Continue Billingham, “From an experience point of view it’s extremely important to have something like this in the City. Bristol has been one of the core Cities that has been waiting for a major indoor arena. People have to travel to London or Birmingham but in a few years’ time they won’t have to do that. It’s vitally important. We’re going to attract 1.5 million visitors to the City. So, this project is really moving. And we’re going to create 1,000 jobs for operating in addition to those in the construction element. We’re targeting an end of 2028 opening date. We’re fully on that journey now and this is a key milestone that John and his team have really delivered against to get us to this point so a lot of exciting things to look ahead to.”
In January 2025 it was reported that the work to convert the Brabazon Hangar had taken a step forward but there were more delays and the previously reported opening prediction of 2027 would now have to be moved to 2028 instead.
That report outlined how work to clear out the old building and prepare it for the conversion had been taking place during 2024 but had taken longer than expected. So, with the conversion itself scheduled to take two and a half years at least an opening date of 2028 was confirmed.
Those behind the construction aspect of the project are the YTL Construction UK who, Thompson says, are just over a year old and part of the YTL Group. He adds that this portion of the project is also putting people in jobs and working with the local suppliers whom he said will be part of some big announcements soon.
Remarked Thompson, “It’s a really exciting proposition here at Brabazon and also the arena is our keynote project. We’re also delivering across infrastructure as well so, we’re over 700-strong as we stand here today – and we’re only going to grow. We’re sourcing locally, we’re employing locally and it’s a fantastic opportunity to be part of something and create a real legacy for the future. We’re all guns blazing. We’re really excited and we’re all up and running.”
In terms of who could possibly top the bill first the team weren’t ready to give away any secrets just yet.
Concluded Billingham, “Everybody’s got their favorite. We’re having lots of conversations already with the artists and the management teams that all really want to come and play at Bristol. I can’t give any secrets away just yet, but in time we will be announcing the artistes that are going to play in the new arena.”
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