Manchester Evening News Arena
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The Manchester Evening News Arena or M.E.N. Arena is a large indoor arena situated in Manchester, England. It is currently sponsored by the Manchester Evening News and has a capacity of 19,000 which can be expanded upto 22,000. The M.E.N. Arena is currently the largest indoor arena in Europe.
The arena has been named "International Venue Of The Year" from 2001-2004 and in 2003 & 2004, the arena was also named "Busiest Arena Venue In The World" based on ticket sales per year across the globe.
It was opened in 1995 and initially known as the Nynex Arena as it was first sponsored by Nynex.
Today, it plays host to many worldwide performing artists and shows including comedy acts, live music and tours, sporting events and occasionally musicals.
The arena has been the home of three sports teams, the Manchester Storm and Manchester Phoenix ice hockey teams and the Manchester Giants basketball team. However, the arena is not currently the home of any sports teams.
Boxers such as Ricky Hatton, Joe Calzaghe, Mike Tyson, Jeff Lacy, and Kostya Tszyu have all performed in this arena along with many other world champions, Hatton becoming a regular and favourite of the Manchester Evening News Arena until his split with Frank Warren who has exclusive rights to the arena for boxing shows. Other ring events include WWE No Mercy 1999. Also on October 11th 2004 it hosted the first ever WWE RAW that was filmed in Europe. The Event had a sold out 22,463 people in attendance, and was followed the next day by a taping of WWE SmackDown!. RAW and SmackDown! are set to return to the M.E.N. Arena on November 13th and November 14th 2006.
The arena was also used by Manchester United when they won the Champions League in 1999. The arena was the final destination of their bus tour which saw United parading the trophy to fans across Manchester.
Notable stars to appear at the arena include En Vogue, Oasis, Morrissey, Madonna, Paul McCartney, R.E.M., The Rolling Stones, Kylie Minogue, Luciano Pavarotti, Elton John, Stereophonics, Foo Fighters, Red Hot Chili Peppers, U2 and Kanye West.