Exhibition & Trade Show Venues in the UK
Stadium venues are ideally set up for hosting exhibitions, trade shows and fairs. These iconic venues have fantastic transport links, with well-signposted road and rail links already in place. Stadia also have significant space both for large deliveries and visitor car parking for your guests. The venues can also transform and adapt both their indoor and outdoor spaces to be the perfect fit for your event. Indeed, many stadium lounges and suites have removable partitions to adjust the size of the space, or connecting rooms giving a great flow for your visitors. Alternatively, you could transform fan concourse areas to give your event that real wow factor.
Here’s a little more on how stadium venues can be the ideal host venue for your exhibition, trade show or fair.
Allianz Stadium, Twickenham London
Total Exhibition Space: 19,000sqm
Allianz Stadium, Twickenham in London boasts 19,000sqm of indoor and outdoor space ideal for exhibitions and trade events, and around 14,000 people can fit their reception rooms. In all, the stadium hosts 34 diverse suites for events, as well as over 150 pitch-facing boxes. The venue offers two open air, outdoor event spaces in The Patch, and pitch-side, providing an inspiring event space literally feet away from the famous pitch. With the British Airways Rose Garden, The Lock and The East Wing providing a hybrid of indoor and outdoor event space, perfect for dining events.
Due to the varied nature of the event space available at the venue, they host a multitude of fantastic events all year round in all of their unique spaces. One of their largest non-match day events held saw Leaders return to the stadium for their annual Leaders Week event, bringing over 1,400 of the world’s most senior sporting executives together for an exhibition, networking event and a variety of informative talks.
The main meeting space and exhibition was held in their largest event space, The Rose Suite, due to the large open nature of the room and its capacity to host up to 1,270 guests for reception events. In their state-of-the-art auditorium, The Live Room, a variety of informative talks were held for guests. The Live Room suited the occasion perfectly due to its impressive AV facilities and theatre capacity of up to 650 guests for talks and presentations. For an outdoor space, Leaders extended their event pitch-side and into the stadium bowls seating, where guests were able to continue networking and have lunch with a view over the famous pitch.
Pictures pitch-side with the large Leaders sign became an essential part of the event for guests, before they stepped foot into the Players Tunnel to discover the fantastic Leaders branded tunnel design, which was implemented for the events duration. Having enjoyed the 2021 event, Leaders will be returning to Twickenham this year for their next grand event.
The stadium is a unique venue due to the volume and variety of event spaces available in its grounds, as well as due to the fact the stadium is the Home of England Rugby and has hosted a variety of large concerts for the likes of Metallica, Eminem and The Rolling Stones. Twickenham’s infamous rugby connections mean the stadium is able to host a variety of events in the England Changing Room, the Players Tunnel and besides the famous pitch, which has seen the world’s most elite rugby players play in front of a strong 82,000 capacity crowd.
Brighton & Hove Albion FC – The Amex Stadium
Total Exhibition Space: 3,131sqm
Brighton’s Amex Stadium located in West Sussex is an ideal setting for trade shows and fairs in Brighton. With five concourses on site, ground level access, three phase, single phase and 13 amp power points, the Amex is the perfect place for an exhibition. Free parking and easy rail and road access make it ideal for attendees to get to. The Amex Stadium concourses are ideal spaces for exhibitions, fairs, exams and team-building activities with over 3,131sqm of indoor space available.
Bristol City FC & Bristol Bears Rugby – Ashton Gate Stadium
Total Exhibition Space: 3,500sqm
First impressions count. Whether organising a conference, trade show or exhibition, your guests will feel the WOW factor the moment they arrive at Ashton Gate’s Concourse, a purpose-built exhibition space for all shapes and sizes. A highly sought-after exhibition venue in the South West, the Concourse boasts over 3,500 square meters of usable space. The U-Shaped concourse provides three separate exhibition areas that can be used as a whole or individually. The Dolman, the South and the Lansdown concourses are hugely popular exhibition venues for businesses both across the South west and internationally. A premier exhibition space that can cater for private parties, conferences, and events of all sizes. Whether you are a sports fanatic looking for the perfect party space or corporate requiring an exhibition space with a USP, our concourse fits the bill. See more about the facilities at Ashton Gate Stadium.
Coventry City FC – Coventry Building Society Arena
Total Exhibition Space: 10,000sqm
Coventry Building Society Arena has forged an enviable reputation as an award-winning venue for a variety of events across music, sport, and business, attracting more than 1.3 million visitors a year. Its unique facilities provide visitors with everything they need on one site, including an onsite DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel, Anecdote Sports Bar, Mill Coffee Shop, Brasserie and Bar and the Grosvenor Casino. There’s ample car parking and an onsite railway station.
The Arena is home to Coventry City Football Club. Other sporting attractions include Rugby League World Cup and the Commonwealth Games. The venue is synonymous with music, having hosted many of the biggest bands on the planet, including The Killers, Rolling Stones, Harry Styles and Arctic Monkeys.
Exhibitions, conferences, and meetings are the backbone of our business. Their award-winning facility can catering for every size of event, from the smallest meeting to a conference or exhibition up to 10,000 people. Spatex, BAPCO, Kidz to Adultz, Merchandise World and Engineering & Design Show have hosted major exhibitions in the Arena
Hampden Park Stadium, Glasgow
Total Exhibition Space: 1,800sqm
Hampden Park Stadium is Scotland’s National Stadium, and one of Scotland’s most iconic venues! With over 35 flexible event spaces and 1000 complimentary car parking spaces Hampden Park is one of the most popular exhibition centres in Glasgow.
The stadium boasts over 1,800sqm of exhibition space for both smaller and large scale expos. The two larger Hampden Suites can accommodate up to 50 stands each, these spaces are linked by the Millennium Suite, with stunning pitch views making it ideal as a walkway or pop up café area. The venue is one of only a handful of stadia across the UK with a dedicated underground loading/unloading roadway, making for seamless loading and unloading for both build and breakdown of expos.
Hampden Park has hosted many exhibition events including the Glasgow’s Whisky Festival and The Glasgow Vegan Festival, who both have over 100 exhibitioners and over 1000 guests on the day. For more information on hosting your next exhibition at Scotland’s National Stadium get in touch with their dedicated events team on 0141 620 4120 or Hampden.Park@sodexo.com.
Hampshire Cricket – The Utilita Bowl
Total Exhibition Space: 859sqm
The Utilita Bowl and Hilton Southampton – Utilita Bowl (previously known as The Ageas Bowl) offer the perfect setting in which to host any exhibition, trade fair or team-building event. The iconic venue, its contemporary pavilion coupled with the purpose-built facilities in the brand-new Hilton Southampton – Utilita Bowl, mean both large and small exhibitions and trade fairs can be accommodated.
With suites featuring up to 859m2 space, rear access and street level loading as well as complementary break-out areas allowing visitors the use of bar and coffee shop facilities, any exhibition or trade fair, be it for business or leisure, is best placed at The Utilita Bowl. And with overnight accommodation available onsite courtesy of the Hilton Southampton – Utilita Bowl, both exhibitors and guests will have no second thoughts about travelling a little further than usual to feature at or peruse the opportunities available at your exhibition or fair. See more about exhibition space at The Utilita Bowl near Southampton.
Headingley Stadium, Leeds
Total Exhibition Space: 471sqm
Headingley Stadium is a Yorkshire landmark boasting two international stadia, home to Yorkshire Cricket and Leeds Rhinos. Show off new products and services in this unique and breath-taking exhibition space. The Howard Suite offers the ideal space with room to set up to 40 6ft trestle tables. The space itself spans almost 50m, plenty of space for attendees to walk and view every stand. This suite overlooks both stadia so attendees can enjoy the spectacular views at the event. The Director’s Suite is perfect for smaller exhibitions and offers a contemporary and stylish space. Headingley Stadium is experienced with holding many types of exhibitions from job fairs to product launches and will work with you to ensure your event runs smoothly. Free parking is also provided.
Huddersfield Town & Giants – The John Smith’s Stadium
Total Exhibition Space: 429sqm
The John Smith’s Stadium, home to Huddersfield Town and Huddersfield Giants, offers the perfect space for exhibitions, wedding fayres, trade show events and events such as comic con. The DJH Suite can hold 55 stands and there are several spaces available including concourses for additional exhibitors and catwalks. The venue is experienced in organising various exhibitions and with onsite free parking and easy access by road or rail it makes The John Smith’s Stadium the ideal venue.
Hull City FC – MKM Stadium
Total Exhibition Space: 1700sqm
Yorkshire’s MKM Stadium in Hull offers ground floor hospitality suites covering over 750sqm giving their clients the chance to really show their products to their full potential. With flexible spaces and a great flow between the rooms, the MKM Stadium is the perfect space for your next exhibition or trade show event. Their large Kingston Suite can hold over 50 stands alone but use this with their other rooms and there are so many options available for even the largest of exhibitions.
From book fairs to product showcases they have held it all at the stadium, and pride themselves on the flexibility of their stadium to accommodate just about any activity. The MKM Stadium also offers in-house AV services and very experienced managers, catering for large scale public events with ease and experience. They have over 1,000 free car parking and exterior space available, and located in a great area for ease for visiting guests.
MK Dons FC – Marshall Arena, Stadium MK
Total Exhibition Space: 2,500sqm
Equipped with a main floor of over 2,500m2, plus two balconies, six breakout spaces & green rooms, and six bars, Marshall Arena is an incredible blank canvas, that can be customised to make every event truly unique. Run by a team of large event specialists who love a challenge, Marshall Arena is a highly versatile space that’s ready for anything.
Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh
Total Exhibition Space: 1,500sqm
Scottish Gas Murrayfield offers 1,500sqm of internal carpeted exhibition space, in addition to the extensive range of suites and modern concourse areas to cater for a variety of exhibitions. The venue has successfully hosted many international product launches and demonstrated the unique ability to combine the inside with the outside, expanding the total area to host immense sized events. Easy vehicle access to their pitch means cars and large vehicles can be driven directly into the viewing area which is perfect for motor industry and product launches!
Principality Stadium, Cardiff
Total Exhibition Space: 10,000sqm
Principality Stadium in Cardiff is fully equipped with a retractable roof and pitch that can be covered to provide an excellent space for both entertainment and exhibiting. Over the past decade they have provided a range of events using the huge expanse of space within the main bowl. Within the main arena, there is the space to provide a kitchen, exhibition, dining and bar areas, and provide your guests with a truly memorable event.
An incredible 10,000sqm of entertaining and exhibiting space is available for hire. Located within the heart of the City Centre, within close proximity of Cardiff Central Train station and Cardiff Airport.
Principality Stadium boasts 113 hospitality suites on the prestigious level 5 that can comfortably hold 12- 48 guests. There are also six lounges within the famous walls of Principality Stadium that provide exceptional entertainment space. Our dedicated team is ready to help you plan it whether it’s an international conference, an intimate dinner, an important board meeting, or a spectacular themed party.
Salford Community Stadium
Total Exhibition Space: 1068sqm
Salford Community Stadium is home to both Sale Sharks Rugby and Salford Red Devils Rugby. For a show-stopping exhibition offering the perfect balance between space and atmosphere, then look no further than the City Suite at the stadium. With over 1060m2 of unobstructed, open space accompanied with state-of-the-art facilities, including moveable interior walls, electronic black-out blinds, unique colour wash interior lighting plus an integrated AV system all at your disposal.
Southampton FC – St. Mary’s Stadium
Total Exhibition Space: 700sqm
From trade shows to public fairs, Southampton FC offers vast, versatile spaces to give exhibitors the right environment to network and showcase themselves. With a 4m ceiling height their main exhibition space, the Kingsland Suite, can host up to 100 exhibition stands, and has been the home of the Southampton Beer Festival for many years. For smaller trade shows the Itchen Suite and Mike Channon Suite can accommodate up to 40 exhibition stands each and are both adjacent to additional event spaces for break-out sessions and seminars. Alternatively, for networking events the Staplewood Lounge and Markus Liebherr Lounge can accommodate up to 20 exhibition stands.
Sunderland AFC – Stadium of Light
Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
Total Exhibition Space: 8,000sqm
The Tottenham Hotspur Stadium boasts versatile event spaces that are perfect for exhibitions. The East Quarter Level Three is their largest purpose-built space, featuring a double-height main area with stunning views of the stadium from every corner. It offers ample room for your event and includes access to the restaurant and Loge Suite areas, ideal for breakout sessions or sponsor/event partner areas. In addition, the East Quarter Level Two provides several areas for your event, including exhibition space for over 30 stands (2x3m). This space connects seamlessly with East Quarter Level Three, providing you with even more options for your event.
For a unique experience, consider hosting your exhibition in The Market Place. Located within the large atrium of the iconic glass-fronted South Stand, this area features a variety of street food-inspired stalls and The Goal Line Bar – the longest bar in Europe! With space for up to 2000 guests, The Market Place is an excellent option for hosting a large exhibition.
Birmingham Bears & Warwickshire Cricket – Edgbaston Stadium
Total Exhibition Space: 1050sqm
Edgbaston Stadium is home to both Birmingham Bears & Warwickshire County Cricket, The Exhibition Hall is on the ground floor and allows access to drive cars and other vehicles into the space via the three roller shutters. With 1050sqm to work with, this blank canvas space is highly versatile and adaptable for a range of exhibitions and event requirements. The team at Edgbaston Stadium will set up your exhibition to meet your requirements with state-of-the-art AV, whilst your event manager and the rest of our supportive team will provide the guidance and exhibition expertise you deserve.
View more stadium venues available for hosting your next exhibition, fair or trade show.