Get HCM digital magazine and ezines FREE
Sign up here ▸
Jobs   News   Features   Products   Magazine      Advertise  
NEWS
Cardiff Council reveals preferred location for new £110m indoor arena
POSTED 15 Feb 2018 . BY Tom Walker
The planned £110m venue would be capable of hosting sports, cultural, and entertainment events Credit: Cardiff Council
Atlantic Wharf in Cardiff has been selected as the preferred site for a new 15,000-seat indoor arena.

The planned £110m venue – which would be capable of hosting sports, cultural, and entertainment events – is now set to be built across two sites in Atlantic Wharf close to the Red Dragon Centre in Cardiff Bay.

Cardiff Council, which is driving the project, has identified a large indoor venue as “the biggest missing piece in the city’s infrastructure offer”.

A detailed feasibility study is now being planned, which will consider all the options for the Atlantic Wharf site – including the wholesale redevelopment of the entire 30-acre site to ensure the development can generate the “maximum private sector funding contribution” to the scheme.

Cardiff Council's Cabinet will discuss the Arena plans at a meeting later today (Thursday 15 February).

Cabinet member for investment and development, Cllr Russell Goodway said the indoor arena is a key priority for the new county administration and a major focus of its policy document Capital Ambition – a five-year plan for the city, outlining the authority’s vision for Cardiff to become a “leading city on the world stage”.

"Cities are where the future is being built,” Goodway said. “Cities are the economic dynamos where more than 80 per cent of global GDP is generated and they compete with one another for inward investment and jobs.

“If Cardiff wants to compete with other major cities then, to succeed, it needs the necessary infrastructure to secure our future and a multi-purpose indoor arena will be one of the key components of Cardiff's future economic success.”

The arena plans have widespread support in Wales. Last year, Welsh Government Cabinet Secretary Ken Skates said: "Having a multi-purpose arena in Cardiff is crucially important not only to Cardiff but for Wales.”

The architect of the proposed scheme and not yet been revealed.
RELATED STORIES
  Cardiff council considering operator options for leisure centres and cultural venues


Cardiff council is exploring new ways to operate its leisure centres and two major cultural venues as it seeks to reduce the £8m paid last year in subsidies for the facilities.
  Cardiff Council reveals £9m Splott pool plans


The under-threat Splott pool in Cardiff could be replaced with a completely new facility as part of Cardiff Council's plans to create a £9m community hub at the site.
  Work starts on £400,000 refurbishment of Cardiff leisure centre


Work is now underway on a £400,000 refurbishment of Cardiff's Fairwater Leisure Centre, which forms part of the local authority's wider strategy to improve local provision.
  Next phase of Cardiff's ISV moves forward


Cardiff Council has appointed a development partner to deliver the next phase of the city's International Sports Village (ISV), which includes a new ice rink and waterfront scheme.
MORE NEWS
Gymnation launches branded athleisure collection for men with muscle thobe and ghutra
In response to customer demand, Gymnation has unveiled a muscle thobe and ghutra range for Saudi men that celebrates Saudi culture as well as the region’s growing interest in fitness.
World Firefighters Games creates new opportunities for collaboration with the fitness sector
Italian Exhibition Group – the organiser behind industry events Dubai Active and Dubai Muscle Show – has been appointed to deliver the Health and Wellness Expo and Fire and Safety Expo at the 16th World Firefighters Games.
Planet Fitness deal hints at blueprint for global expansion
Private investment company, Franchise Equity Partners, has acquired Bravo Fit, the Planet Fitness franchisee in Australia, from existing shareholders.
Fitness First UK unveils makeover of Highbury club with new recovery and Pilates offerings
Fitness First UK has raised the bar with its latest refurbishment, in Highbury, London, as it continues to premiumise its estate.
+ More news   
LATEST JOBS
Fitness Motivator and Personal Trainer
Everyone Active
Salary:
Job location: Fleet
Fitness Motivator and Personal Trainer
Everyone Active
Salary: £Excellent salary + benefits
Job location: Easton, Bristol , United Kingdom
Fitness Motivator and Personal Trainer
Everyone Active
Salary:
Job location: Aldershot
+ More jobs  

FEATURED SUPPLIERS

Introducing a new era of Nautilus Leverage
Strength training has never been more important for member retention, facility differentiation and long-term commercial success. [more...]

Legends never die: four legends, four philosophies of life
Panatta brought together four of the most influential figures in bodybuilding history on the stage of RiminiWellness 2026: Phil Heath, Lee Haney, Ronnie Coleman and Hany Rambod. [more...]
+ More featured suppliers  
COMPANY PROFILES
UK Active

UK Active is the UK’s leading trade body for the physical activity sector, bringing together more th [more...]
Serco Leisure

Serco Leisure Operating Limited is one of the UK’s leading national operators of leisure centres, de [more...]
+ More profiles  
CATALOGUE GALLERY
 
+ More catalogues  

DIRECTORY
+ More directory  
DIARY

 

23-26 Aug 2026

Elevate Spa Riviera Maya Edition

The Riviera Maya Edition Kanai, Playa del Carmen, Mexico
31 Aug - 02 Sep 2026

SpaTec North America

Pier Sixty Six, Fort Lauderdale, United States
+ More diary  
 
ABOUT LEISURE MEDIA
LEISURE MEDIA MAGAZINES
LEISURE MEDIA HANDBOOKS
LEISURE MEDIA WEBSITES
LEISURE MEDIA PRODUCT SEARCH
 
HCM
LEISURE OPPORTUNITIES
HEALTH CLUB HANDBOOK
PRINT SUBSCRIPTIONS
FREE DIGITAL SUBSCRIPTIONS
ADVERTISE . CONTACT US

Leisure Media
Tel: +44 (0)1462 431385

©Cybertrek 2026
Get HCM digital magazine and ezines FREE
Sign up here ▸
Jobs    News   Products   Magazine
NEWS
Cardiff Council reveals preferred location for new £110m indoor arena
POSTED 15 Feb 2018 . BY Tom Walker
The planned £110m venue would be capable of hosting sports, cultural, and entertainment events Credit: Cardiff Council
Atlantic Wharf in Cardiff has been selected as the preferred site for a new 15,000-seat indoor arena.

The planned £110m venue – which would be capable of hosting sports, cultural, and entertainment events – is now set to be built across two sites in Atlantic Wharf close to the Red Dragon Centre in Cardiff Bay.

Cardiff Council, which is driving the project, has identified a large indoor venue as “the biggest missing piece in the city’s infrastructure offer”.

A detailed feasibility study is now being planned, which will consider all the options for the Atlantic Wharf site – including the wholesale redevelopment of the entire 30-acre site to ensure the development can generate the “maximum private sector funding contribution” to the scheme.

Cardiff Council's Cabinet will discuss the Arena plans at a meeting later today (Thursday 15 February).

Cabinet member for investment and development, Cllr Russell Goodway said the indoor arena is a key priority for the new county administration and a major focus of its policy document Capital Ambition – a five-year plan for the city, outlining the authority’s vision for Cardiff to become a “leading city on the world stage”.

"Cities are where the future is being built,” Goodway said. “Cities are the economic dynamos where more than 80 per cent of global GDP is generated and they compete with one another for inward investment and jobs.

“If Cardiff wants to compete with other major cities then, to succeed, it needs the necessary infrastructure to secure our future and a multi-purpose indoor arena will be one of the key components of Cardiff's future economic success.”

The arena plans have widespread support in Wales. Last year, Welsh Government Cabinet Secretary Ken Skates said: "Having a multi-purpose arena in Cardiff is crucially important not only to Cardiff but for Wales.”

The architect of the proposed scheme and not yet been revealed.
RELATED STORIES
Cardiff council considering operator options for leisure centres and cultural venues


Cardiff council is exploring new ways to operate its leisure centres and two major cultural venues as it seeks to reduce the £8m paid last year in subsidies for the facilities.
Cardiff Council reveals £9m Splott pool plans


The under-threat Splott pool in Cardiff could be replaced with a completely new facility as part of Cardiff Council's plans to create a £9m community hub at the site.
Work starts on £400,000 refurbishment of Cardiff leisure centre


Work is now underway on a £400,000 refurbishment of Cardiff's Fairwater Leisure Centre, which forms part of the local authority's wider strategy to improve local provision.
Next phase of Cardiff's ISV moves forward


Cardiff Council has appointed a development partner to deliver the next phase of the city's International Sports Village (ISV), which includes a new ice rink and waterfront scheme.
MORE NEWS
Gymnation launches branded athleisure collection for men with muscle thobe and ghutra
In response to customer demand, Gymnation has unveiled a muscle thobe and ghutra range for Saudi men that celebrates Saudi culture as well as the region’s growing interest in fitness.
World Firefighters Games creates new opportunities for collaboration with the fitness sector
Italian Exhibition Group – the organiser behind industry events Dubai Active and Dubai Muscle Show – has been appointed to deliver the Health and Wellness Expo and Fire and Safety Expo at the 16th World Firefighters Games.
Planet Fitness deal hints at blueprint for global expansion
Private investment company, Franchise Equity Partners, has acquired Bravo Fit, the Planet Fitness franchisee in Australia, from existing shareholders.
Fitness First UK unveils makeover of Highbury club with new recovery and Pilates offerings
Fitness First UK has raised the bar with its latest refurbishment, in Highbury, London, as it continues to premiumise its estate.
Total Fitness research charts the fitness industry’s post-pandemic transformation
It’s been five years since the fitness industry reopened after the last lockdown – long enough to look back on the impact the pandemic had on the sector and what might come next. 
Wattbike and EGYM integration allows addition of VO2 max tests
Wattbike has announced a new integration with EGYM, which enables the bikes to contribute to the Cardio BioAge score of individuals via a VO2 max result.
+ More news   
 
FEATURED SUPPLIERS

Introducing a new era of Nautilus Leverage
Strength training has never been more important for member retention, facility differentiation and long-term commercial success. [more...]

Legends never die: four legends, four philosophies of life
Panatta brought together four of the most influential figures in bodybuilding history on the stage of RiminiWellness 2026: Phil Heath, Lee Haney, Ronnie Coleman and Hany Rambod. [more...]
+ More featured suppliers  
COMPANY PROFILES
UK Active

UK Active is the UK’s leading trade body for the physical activity sector, bringing together more th [more...]
+ More profiles  
CATALOGUE GALLERY
+ More catalogues  

DIRECTORY
+ More directory  
DIARY

 

23-26 Aug 2026

Elevate Spa Riviera Maya Edition

The Riviera Maya Edition Kanai, Playa del Carmen, Mexico
31 Aug - 02 Sep 2026

SpaTec North America

Pier Sixty Six, Fort Lauderdale, United States
+ More diary  
 


ADVERTISE . CONTACT US

Leisure Media
Tel: +44 (0)1462 431385

©Cybertrek 2026

ABOUT LEISURE MEDIA
LEISURE MEDIA MAGAZINES
LEISURE MEDIA HANDBOOKS
LEISURE MEDIA WEBSITES
LEISURE MEDIA PRODUCT SEARCH
PRINT SUBSCRIPTIONS
FREE DIGITAL SUBSCRIPTIONS