Marshall Arena
Former namesArena MK (2014–2018)
Milton Keynes Arena
AddressStadium Way West
Milton Keynes
MK1 1ST
England
Coordinates52°00′30″N 00°43′58″W / 52.00833°N 0.73278°W / 52.00833; -0.73278
Capacity5,000[1]
Construction
Opened5 February 2014
ArchitectPopulous (then HOK Sport)
Website
stadiummk.com

The Marshall Arena (formerly known as Arena MK, also Milton Keynes Arena) is a multi-purpose indoor arena in Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, England, located beside Stadium MK. The 3,420 square metres (36,800 sq ft) multi-use event space is positioned over three floors and anticipates music and sporting events, conferences, exhibitions and parties.[2]

History

The arena was to be the home of the Milton Keynes Lions professional basketball team. However, the retail developments that would have provided enabling funding were deferred due to lack of financing, leaving the Lions without a home.[3] Following the conclusion of the 2011–12 season, the Lions could not secure a venue within Milton Keynes, resulting in a move south to the Copper Box.[4]

It officially opened on 8 February 2014 when it hosted the 2014 English National Badminton Championships.[2]

Name

In September 2018, Marshall Amplification announced an agreement with Arena MK to use the space for music events, rebranding it the "Marshall Arena".[5]

Regular tournaments

Darts

The Arena has hosted the Professional Darts Corporation's Masters tournament since 2015.

Snooker

Marshall Arena was chosen as the venue for the 2020 Championship League snooker tournament taking place in June 2020 because of the convenience of its on-site facilities.[6] During the UK's coronavirus lockdown, it was important that the event was able take place behind closed doors with no need for players and officials to leave the venue for the duration of their involvement once they have arrived.[6] For similar reasons, the Arena hosted the first 13 tournaments of the 2020–21 snooker season[7] as well as the qualifiers for the 2021 German Masters.

As a direct result of the venues’ ability to keep the snooker tour running during a pandemic, it was selected to be the venue of the 2021 English Open and also became the backup venue for the 2022 European Masters. The 2022 British Open would also be selected as the venue for the event.

References

  1. ↑ "Marshall Arena". www.stadiummk.com. Retrieved 23 May 2019.
  2. 1 2 Fiona O'Hara. "arena: stadiummk opens its doors". Milton Keynes Dons Football Club.
  3. ↑ Winkelman can't guarantee arena! Archived 8 January 2009 at the Wayback Machine – MK Citizen 26 November 2008
  4. ↑ "Lions to leave Milton Keynes". MK Citizen. 9 August 2012.
  5. ↑ Welcome to the Marshall Arena in Milton Keynes, Milton Keynes Citizen, 29 September 2018
  6. 1 2 "Televised live sport to resume in June with snooker tournament in Milton Keynes". ITV News. 22 May 2020. Retrieved 26 May 2020.
  7. ↑ "World Snooker: Milton Keynes to host first eight events of 2020-21 season". BBC Sport. 28 August 2020. Retrieved 28 August 2020.
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