3Arena (Dublin)
| Company type | Indoor amphitheatre |
|---|---|
| Industry | Entertainment, Music venue |
| Predecessor | Point Theatre (1988–2007) |
| Founded | 16 December 2008 |
| Fate | Renamed from The O2 to 3Arena on 4 September 2014 |
| Headquarters | Dublin , Ireland |
Area served | Ireland, international music and event audiences |
| Owner | Apollo Leisure Group Ltd (a branch of Live Nation Entertainment) |
| Website | www |
The 3Arena—initially known as The O2—is an indoor amphitheatre situated at North Wall Quay within the Dublin Docklands area of Ireland. It officially opened under the name The O2 on 16 December 2008 and underwent rebranding to 3Arena on 4 September 2014 after Three Ireland acquired O2 Ireland. Owned by Apollo Leisure Group Ltd, a branch of Live Nation Entertainment, it consistently ranks among the top ten busiest music venues globally based on ticket sales.
This arena was built on the grounds of the former Point Theatre, a smaller venue that operated from 1988 until its closure in 2007, preserving elements of the original external facade. The Point Theatre had formerly been called "The Point Depot," a nod to its past as a railway freight depot.
Naming
Following the closure in 2007, the location was redeveloped and rebranded as The O2, reflecting its association with the telecommunication company O2, mirroring London's similarly named venue, The O2. In 2008, O2 secured naming rights for €25 million over a decade. After the acquisition of O2 Ireland by competitor 3 Ireland in June 2014, the facility was renamed 3Arena on 4 September that year.
Structure and design
The arena’s layout ensures that the furthest seat is only 60 metres from the stage—20 metres nearer than previously—employing a "fan"-style seating pattern inspired by Rome's Colosseum. Notably, there are no corporate boxes within the venue. Behind the scenes, a large loading area facilitates efficient truck access. Alcohol is sold exclusively within a secure zone to minimize underage consumption. Prior to redevelopment, seating capacity stood at 6,300 seated or 8,500 standing.
Mike Adamson, CEO of Live Nation Ireland, highlighted that earlier size constraints had limited access to major events for Irish audiences. The upgraded facility now accommodates full-scale productions that were previously unfeasible, such as performances by George Michael. Developer Harry Crosbie described the old Point venue as having a "grungy" atmosphere appropriate for its era, while the new arena aims to attract a more "sophisticated" crowd with its "stunning" architectural design.
Attendance
In 2011, this venue ranked as the fifth busiest music arena worldwide with ticket sales reaching 670,000, positioned behind London’s The O2 Arena, Manchester Arena, Antwerp’s Sportpaleis, and Melbourne’s Rod Laver Arena. Its ranking improved to fourth in 2012 but declined to ninth place in 2013.
Notable/historic performances
U2 were the first band to perform here, with Bono and The Edge delivering private renditions of "Van Diemen's Land" and "Desire". The arena’s official opening event was the ChildLine Concert held on 16 December 2008.
American pop icon Lady Gaga became the first female artist to sell out five consecutive shows during her 2010 Monster Ball Tour. A contentious Guns N' Roses concert in September 2010 experienced delays and audience dissatisfaction; their subsequent return in 2012 attracted only 47% attendance.
Rammstein made their Irish debut at this arena in February 2012 as part of their Made in Germany 1995-2011 Tour. Since March 2014, it has served as one of the venues for the C2C: Country to Country festival, second only to London’s O2 Arena in hosting frequency.
In July 2014, a sold-out event—UFC Fight Night: McGregor vs. Brandao—featured Conor McGregor’s sole UFC fight in his hometown Dublin.
U2 returned for four homecoming shows in November 2015 on a stage redesigned to suit the amphitheatre’s configuration. From December 2015 onwards, the arena has annually hosted the RTÉ 2fm Xmas Ball charity concert benefiting ISPCC, showcasing headline acts such as Kodaline, Hozier, and The Script.
In March 2016, Adele performed two sold-out concerts during her world tour. In August 2018, tickets for Britney Spears’s Piece of Me Tour sold out within ten minutes. Other prominent performers include Demi Lovato (May 2018), Twenty One Pilots (March 2019), and Mariah Carey, who gave her first Irish performance here in May 2019.
Ariana Grande held three dates during her Sweetener World Tour in 2019, while Christina Aguilera performed on her The X Tour that same year. Between 2016 and 2023, The 1975 have appeared four times.
Since 2009, WWE has regularly staged events at this location. A May 2019 SmackDown house show featured Charlotte Flair and Dublin native Becky Lynch competing in the arena’s first-ever women’s main event. The planned NXT UK TakeOver: Dublin event scheduled for June 2021 was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
On 20 May 2023, boxer Katie Taylor made her professional Irish debut at this venue challenging for the undisputed super-lightweight title; this match was broadcast globally via DAZN.
Transport
Attendees are advised to utilize public transportation when traveling to the venue. Parking facilities are accessible at the nearby Point Village. Alongside the ferry and shuttle options detailed on the venue’s official site, Dublin Bus route 151 offers consistent service directly to the arena.
Following events, heavy pedestrian traffic often results in traffic control measures on North Wall Quay, frequently restricting vehicle movement on both North Wall Quay and the East-Link (Dublin) toll bridge, with enforcement carried out by the Gardaí.
A Luas light rail extension from the Red Line to the back of the venue commenced operations on 8 December 2009, providing a connection to DART services at Connolly Station. This stop is designated as The Point.
Passengers arriving from Dublin Airport can take advantage of Dublin Bus route 747 or the Greystones and Dalkey Aircoach lines, both of which have stops near the venue. Additionally, several private transport companies offer services to this location.