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 Interactive map of Arena MK | |
| Former names | Arena MK (2014–2018) Milton Keynes Arena |
|---|---|
| Address | Stadium Way West Milton Keynes MK1 1ST England |
| Coordinates | 52°00′30″N00°43′58″W / 52.00833°N 0.73278°W /52.00833; -0.73278 |
| Capacity | 5,000[1] |
| Construction | |
| Opened | 5 February 2014 |
| Architect | Populous (then HOK Sport) |
| Website | |
| www | |
Arena MK (formerly theMarshall Arena) is a multi-purpose indoorarena inMilton Keynes,Buckinghamshire,England, located besideStadium MK. The 3,420 square metres (36,800 sq ft) multi-use event space is positioned over three floors and anticipates music and sporting events, conferences, exhibitions and parties.[2]
The arena was to be the home of theMilton Keynes Lions professionalbasketball team. However, the retail developments that would have provided enabling funding were deferred due to lack of financing, leaving the Lions without a home.[3] Following the conclusion of the 2011–12 season, the Lions could not secure a venue within Milton Keynes, resulting in a move south to theCopper Box.[4]
It officially opened on 8 February 2014 when it hosted the 2014 English National Badminton Championships.[2]
In September 2018,Marshall Amplification announced an agreement with Arena MK to use the space for music events, rebranding it the "Marshall Arena".[5] The date when that arrangement ended is not recorded.
The Arena has hosted theProfessional Darts Corporation'sMasters tournament since 2015.[citation needed]
Marshall Arena was chosen as the venue for the2020 Championship Leaguesnooker tournament taking place in June 2020 because of the convenience of its on-site facilities.[6] During theUK's coronavirus lockdown, it was important that the event was able take placebehind closed doors with no need for players and officials to leave the venue for the duration of their involvement once they have arrived.[6] For similar reasons, the Arena hosted the first 13 tournaments of the2020–21 snooker season[7] as well as the qualifiers for the 2021German Masters.
As a direct result of the venues’ ability to keep the snooker tour running during a pandemic, it was selected to be the venue of the2021 English Open and also became the backup venue for the2022 European Masters. The2022 British Open would also be selected as the venue for the event.[citation needed]