Sheffield Arena ready to celebrate 25th anniversary with Justin Bieber among star names

Justin Bieber has a live date at Sheffield Arena in October.

They staged triple-headers from Take That and One Direction in 2015 - and this year pop sensation Justin Bieber will arrive in October. There is also a comeback by another well-loved boy band, Busted, who will return with their original line-up in May.

Rob O’Shea, the Arena’s general manager, is looking forward to a “new era” for the venue, as a change in management takes place. He said: “We already have some of the world’s biggest touring artistes lined up to perform. It will also be a new era for the venue as Sheffield International Venues take over the management of the venue in April and the search for a new naming rights sponsor will be at the top of everyone’s to-do list.”

The exciting plans for the 25th anniversary year also include Strictly Come Dancing Live Thunder, Ellie Goulding, The X Factor Live Tour, 5 seconds of Summer, The Vamps, Bryan Adams, Lionel Richie, Andrea Bocelli, Little Mix and major biking events. More local flavour is also provided by Dynamo’s magic and more comedy will be on offer when Russell Howard visits.

With other wide-ranging entertainment - including the Harlem Globetrotters and wrestling - on the agenda, 2016 is likely to be another memorable year, as the Arena celebrates its landmark anniversary.

The Arena can reflect on a memorable 2015. Take That played their three sell-out 2015 shows during June, then One Direction followed that with their three performances in October. One Direction’s dates were their final ones before going on their hiatus from the world of music.

Those boy bands’ memorable acts were not the only events of 2015 will be recalled fondly. There were sell-out gigs from the likes of Olly Murs, Florence & The Machine, Queen & Adam Lambert, The Script, Mumford & Son’s, and S Club 7.

Local pride could be felt at the performances from Richard Hawley and fellow Sheffield rockers Def Leppard. Those events took place recently during the winter months.

Aside from music, 2015 at the Sheffield Arena will also be remembered for Clarkson, Hammond and May’s cars and stunts, Strictly Come Dancing, and Disney on Ice - which is the only touring show to have played at the venue every year since the building opened in May 1991.