The Scottish Event Campus (SEC) in Glasgow attracted 2m visitors and delivered £557m in economic value for Glasgow and Scotland in the 2024/25 financial year.

Comprising the OVO Hydro (pictured), SEC Centre and the SEC Armadillo, SEC reported a 30% year-on-year rise in turnover to £54.4m, operating profits of £4.1m and EBITDA of £7m during the financial year. It said the growth was driven by a higher volume of events across all sectors. Live entertainment at the SEC delivered £15.6m in turnover, also up 30% year-on-year.

The events venue campus, which celebrated its 40th anniversary last year, is set for a busy year ahead. Forthcoming events include the Commonwealth Games and concerts by artists including Gorillaz, Richard Ashcroft, Tame Impala, Paul Simon, David Byrne and Olivia Dean.

SEC said it had made a significant investment in infrastructure across its venues last year, with further developments planned. Among the initiatives is the £4 million ‘SEConnect’ project for the 14,300-capacity OVO Hydro arena announced last year, created in partnership with HPE Aruba said SEConnect.

Among the upgrades to The OVO Hydro include the permanently installed Evolv security screening system outside the arena, complete with covered Showblock units. SEC said the project had improved entry speed and efficiency, with ticket scanning set to relocate to the same area in the next phase. It said 11 retail outlets had been refurbished to improve service speed and flow, while accessible seating has been enhanced with improved sightlines and charging points. An in-seat food and beverage service is to be rolled out.

SEC CEO Dominic McKay, who was appointed in January last year and began work in May, said, “I am particularly proud to join at a time where there are clear ambitions for the future, and undeniable scope for further growth. The 2024/25 financial year was a strong period for SEC with over two million visitors to our campus. The whole team, led by a committed Executive, deserves great credit for an excellent set of results, both in terms of finance and number of visitors.”

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