Co-op Live brings Eric Clapton back to Manchester for first show in 10 years

01 September 2023

  • World famous guitarist and multi-award-winning artist Eric Clapton confirms first gig in Manchester in more than a decade at the UK’s largest arena, Co-op Live. 

  • Eric Clapton becomes the second artist announced to perform during Co-op Live’s opening season from April 2024.

  • Co-op Live will host 25 shows in the first month, with more dates to be announced through September.

    The £365million arena is the UK’s only music-first arena and Europe’s most sustainable.

 

Manchester, 1st September 2023: Co-op Live, the UK’s largest live entertainment arena, has today announced that Eric Clapton will take to the stage on 18 May 2024 for his first performance in Manchester in more than a decade.

Regarded as one of the greatest guitarists of all time, Eric Clapton has sold more than 280 million records worldwide. As well as holding a CBE for his services to music, Clapton has received 18 Grammy Awards and a BRIT Award for Outstanding Contribution to Music. Clapton’s appearance at Co-op Live will be one of nine dates on his upcoming UK and Ireland tour.

As part of the busiest UK arena opening season ever, Co-op Live will host 25 shows within the first month of opening from April 2024. The venue will welcome an array of world class musical talent across various genres to perform on the UK’s biggest stage with Eric Clapton being one of the first significant announcements confirmed in an exciting lineup to be made public.

Co-op Live, a joint venture between Oak View Group and City Football Group, has been designed to transform the live music experience for both artists and fans. The arena will boast an innovative bowl design and a large standing floor to bring fans closer to artists.

Gary Roden, Executive Director & General Manager, Co-op Live, says: “We are thrilled that Eric Clapton will return to Manchester for the first time in ten years as part of Co-op Live’s opening season from April 2024. With Co-op Live’s intimate design, there will be no better place to see him play his decades-long list of classic songs. We look forward to revealing some of the other artists performing during our opening season in the coming weeks.”

Eric Clapton will perform at Co-op Live in Manchester on 18 May 2024. As part of the venue’s pioneering partnership, Co-op members will gain early access to tickets through a designated presale from 10:00 on 7 September 2023.

General sale tickets are available here from 10:00 on 11 September 2023.

Co-op Live will also be the UK’s most socially responsible arena. It is committed to sustainability, including through all-electric power, zero waste to landfill, and 100% rainwater collection. Bolstering naming rights partner Co-op’s core brand values, Co-op Live will donate at least £1m a year to the Co-op Foundation to deliver on its new youth-led strategy and Co-op’s vision of ‘Co-operating for a fairer world’. This collective effort will be known as ‘Gigs that Give Back’, emphasising the venue and partnership’s commitment to making a positive impact.