This summer, fans of The O2 can go behind the scenes and experience the venue like never before as unseen and exclusive spaces of the world’s number one music and entertainment venue open for a limited run of Backstage Tours. Visitors will follow in the footsteps of legends including; Take That, Prince and Beyoncé.

The O2 – Backstage Tours will only run from 15– 30 August 2020 with limited capacities to allow safely socially distanced, and unique experience for the biggest of fans.

The Access All Areas guided tour experience will take visitors into the backstage areas at The O with sneak peeks into artist dressing rooms and sports locker rooms, VIP areas and a look into one of the most exclusive Suites. Tour guide will take fans on a journey of an artist’s schedule and their pre-show routine and learn how the arena come to life ahead of a sold out show.

During the tour fans can step in the shows of global superstars as they take the famous walk-to-stage steps, arriving in the main arena for a once in a lifetime photo opportunities.

In 2019, The O2 hosted 219 arena shows, six residencies, over 10 first time performances, a record number of boxing events and sold its 25 millionth ticket concluding with being named Venue of The Decade by Billboard magazine.

Since 2010, The O2 arena has hosted over 2000 events which kicked off with Bon Jovi performing on the roof and has welcomed global stars including; Beyoncé, Drake, Taylor Swift, Rihanna and Little Mix numerous times since.

World class sporting events including; host venue for the London 2012 Games, NBA season games, 10 years of the Nitto ATP Finals and becoming the home of British boxing have all contributed in cementing The O2 as the world’s number one arena. In 2019 RugbyX came to the venue for the first time and we also welcomed the return of UFC and Gymnastics.

Award ceremonies have made The O2 their home with the National Television Awards and BRIT Awards returning each year and in 2013, The O2 hosted the first ever Country to Country event, which pushed out country music to the mainstream and is now Europe’s largest country music festival.

Started by Prince in 2007 after his 21 performances, The O2 21 Club has inducted 8 new members over the last decade including; comedians Michael McIntyre and Micky Flanagan and bands One Direction and Take That who hold the record for the most amount of performance in the arena at 34. Most recently Drake and Michael Buble were given the accolade.

Comedy has been a huge part of programming at The O2 with comedians including; Lee Evans, Trevor Noah, Miranda Hart, Eddie Izzard performing and most recently Jack Whitehall with four shows.

The O2 has welcomed a host of artists and guests for the first time this year including; Bjork, Cher, Liam Gallagher, Michelle Obama, Jo Jo Siwa, Travis Scott, George Ezra and The Chemical Brothers. 

Naming rights partner O2, has ensured fans at the venue are at the heart of everything through presales via Priority and onsite customer experiences. In 2010 O2 renewed their agreement with the venue for a further 10 years.

Outside of the arena, the venue has seen a huge transformation over the last decade with the addition of Hollywood Bowl, Oxygen Freejumping, Cineworld extension, ICON Outlet, Mamma Mia! The Party and ABBA Super Troupers: The Exhibition. Up at The O2, the roofwalk over the venue, opened in 2012 and has recently celebrated a record year. 

The year, Good Vibes All Round was launched, an initiative to promote all the venue does in relation to sustainability, accessibility, charity and community. Moving in to 2020, The O2 is committed to each of these areas and will continue to work with chosen charities; The BRIT School, Nordoff Robbins, Music Venues Trust and MQ – transforming mental health.