Joe GallopTen years on from the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, the London Legacy Development Corporation (LLDC) is looking to award a new operating contract for the Copper Box Arena at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.
The Copper Box, described as the park’s most versatile venue, has a maximum seating capacity of 7,500 and the ability to stage elite sport and esports as well as other live entertainment events. The arena is home to the London Lions basketball teams and London Pulse netball team and includes a gym, café and ancillary facilities.
LLDC, which operates the park, is looking to appoint a service provider that will operate and maintain the arena. Major events held there since 2012 have included Fed Cup Tennis, Street League Skateboarding, the Table Tennis World Cup, England Netball Internationals, esports tournaments such as Call of Duty and Rocket League, the Vitality Netball Superleage Grand Final, championship boxing, and the Invictus Games. In November the arena hosted the England Team’s opening matches of the Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup.
Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park head of venues Edward Fane said, “Ten years on from London 2012, the Copper Box Arena is a thriving venue for national and international events as well as community sport, health and fitness.
“This exciting high value contract is critically important to the long-term legacy of the London 2012 Games and we are seeking a significant partnership for the next eight years to bring more high profile events to the Park and build on the Arena’s hugely successful first decade.’
The award will be made in another year of evolution for the park, with the opening of the new East Bank cultural development, starting in summer 2023. LLDC operates Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park through a variety of service contracts that have been let from the park’s inception; some prior to London 2012 and some as the park has evolved into its current form post-Games.
Interested companies are required to complete a selection questionnaire by 12 noon, 8 February. The contract notice can be accessed here.