Peter Kay will be officially be the first performer to take to the stage at Co-op Live when it opens its doors this April. This afternoon the landmark venue confirmed that the Bolton comedian would perform at the arena on Tuesday, April 23.
The state-of-the art venue has already confirmed artists including Olivia Rodrigo, Take That, and Eric Clapton for its opening season. The 23,500-seater arena is set to surpass the Manchester Arena and O2 Arena in size to become the UK's largest indoor arena.
Tickets for the opening event will go on sale to Co-op Members as part of a presale from 10am on Wednesday, 21 February. General sale ticket will then be available through Co-op Live here, SeeTickets here and Ticketmaster here.
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The comedian is currently touring his 'Better Late Than Never' tour across the UK including a string of dates at Manchester's AO Arena. Announced back in November 2022, the news of his return to live stand-up for the first time in 12 years fuelled a huge demand for tickets.
Speaking about securing Peter Kay as the venue's first act, Gary Roden, Executive Director and General Manager, Co-op Live, commented: "When you think of Manchester, it’s hard not to think of Peter Kay. He embodies what this city is about, and to have him headlining Co-op Live is tremendously exciting.
"We’re creating an arena that is truly part of the community around it, and having Peter as our opening act is a perfect reminder of that.”
When it opens in just a couple of months time, the £350m arena will feature a "unique bowl design" that will bring fans "closer to the artist than at other arenas of equivalent size". The new venue, set to open opposite Manchester City's Etihad stadium, will host around 120 events a year and will encompass 32 bars and restaurants.
Tickets for the huge opening gig will go be available via presale on Wednesday, 21 February and general sale on Friday, 23 February at 10am. Ticket prices have also be confirmed via a number of ticket providers including SeeTickets and are arranged into different seating options with booking fee incorporated:
- Seats - £41.50 (£35)
- Seats - £58 (£50)
- Seats - £74.50 (£65)
- Peter Kay Live Best Seat VIP Package - £151.20 (£135) - includes - Top price seated ticket for the show, Limited edition Peter Kay gift, Peter Kay tour programme, and Peter Kay VIP laminate and lanyard
According to the booking site Gigs and Tours the doors for Peter Kay at Co-op Live on April 23 will be at 6.30pm and he will take to the stage at 8pm. The same timings for his current 'Better Late Than Never' tour, which is currently touring the UK.
