When Oak View Group announced plans to expand their North American arena ventures into Europe, they set their sights on enhancing the fan experience through sustainability and digital technology.
Fast forward and Co-op Live has gone from concept to reality. It’s been open since May 2024 on the Etihad Campus in Manchester, developed in collaboration with City Football Group and supported by investors like Harry Styles.
With a capacity of 23,500, this music-first arena is now the largest in the UK, designed with music fans at its heart. The venue operates entirely cashless, striving to enhance live events for today and tomorrow.
“Our mission is to be a positive disruption to business as usual in sports, live entertainment, and hospitality,” shares Sam Piccione, President International for Oak View Group. “We set out to become a 100% cashless venue and couldn’t do that without our official payments partners Elavon, as we’ll be processing millions annually and the technology has to work.”
Queue Busting, Security, and Safety
While going cashless may seem like a minor change, it greatly impacts both the fan experience and operational efficiency. “Queues are simply shorter when cash is eliminated,” notes Dave Wheatcroft, Head of European Hospitality at Elavon. “Fewer cash transactions mean quicker service, reducing contact and boosting hygiene. Contactless payments through cards and smartphones also minimises the handling of cash.”
Managing cash creates logistical hurdles, including manual counting and keeping it safe before it’s banked. By adopting a cashless system, venues can streamline operations and improve staff safety – in hygiene and security terms.
Large-Scale Design for Individual Impact
Although Co-op Live is the UK’s largest arena of its kind, it’s designed to offer intimacy between artists and fans. Its innovative ‘black box’ design brings audiences closer to the stage, improving acoustics and creating a personal atmosphere. The large standing area transforms concerts into collective celebrations.
“There’s a stat in North America that the average hockey fan can spend 45 minutes in lines around enjoying the event. We want the music to be the focus, not waiting in line,” Sam explains.
“Every second counts, and with Elavon we can authorise a payment in just 20 milliseconds —far quicker than most people blink! With the rest of the process involving banks and credit cards, it’s all still done in under half a second. No cash transaction can happen that quickly, and over the course of even one event that saves a lot of queueing!” adds Dave
Creating a Sustainable Ecosystem
Co-op Live represents the largest construction project in Manchester for generations, projected to inject around £1.5 billion into the local economy over the next 20 years. The project has created and supported thousands of jobs, including many apprenticeships, and now supports over 2,000 ongoing roles.
Sustainability is woven into the venue's operations, which are fully electric-powered with solar panels, rainwater harvesting, and energy-efficient LED lighting. They prioritised locally sourced materials and aim to minimise waste, highlighting their commitment to the environment.
The collaboration among partners fosters a network that benefits fans, artists, and the broader community. “Digital insights enable us to understand spending patterns and service efficiency in real time,” Dave explains, allowing for a smoother, more enjoyable experience.
Elavon’s payment authorisation system operates at an impressive 99.99% uptime and is supported by 24/7 assistance to address issues swiftly. Their commitment to security ensures safe transactions, providing reassurance for both businesses and fans.
To see what’s coming up at Co-op Live, visit www.cooplive.com. For insights into how modern payment systems can enhance your business, speak with Elavon at Elavon.co.uk, named Merchant Acquirer of the Year for 2023/24 by the Merchant Payment Ecosystem.