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 View of the arena (2016) | |
 Interactive map of MEO Arena | |
| Former names | Pavilhão da Utopia (1998) Pavilhão Atlântico (1998–2013) MEO Arena (2013–2017) Altice Arena (2017–2024) |
|---|---|
| Address | Lisbon Portugal |
| Location | Rossio dos Olivais, 1990-231Lisbon, Portugal |
| Coordinates | 38°46′7″N9°5′38″W / 38.76861°N 9.09389°W /38.76861; -9.09389 |
| Public transit |  Gare do Oriente Vermelha atOriente |
| Owner | Live Nation Entertainment, Inc. |
| Operator | Live Nation Entertainment, Inc. |
| Capacity | 20,100 (concerts) 15,000 (futsal) |
| Construction | |
| Built | 1996–1998 |
| Opened | 1998 |
| Construction cost | €55 million |
| Architect | Regino Cruz |
| Main contractors | Skidmore, Owings & Merrill |
| Website | |
| arena | |
MEO Arena (formerlyAltice Arena; also referred to by its former name,Pavilhão Atlântico)[1] is a multi-purpose indoorarena inLisbon, Portugal. The arena is among thelargest indoor arenas in Europe and the largest in Portugal with a capacity of 20,000 people and was built in 1998 forExpo '98.
Plans to build a multipurpose arena in Lisbon date back to the first discussions of theExpo '98 Master Plan. At the time, the city lacked a versatile facility able to accommodate concerts, congresses and sporting events of big scope. The existing structures, both in Lisbon and in Portugal alike, either had limited capacity (up to 4,000 people), or were difficult to adapt to non-conventional events, such as world class indoor sports competitions. Another shortcoming of existing venues was the lack of technical infrastructure deemed necessary to host modern concerts, musicals and to allow for proper live TV coverage.
The country needed an arena to fill the existing gap between smaller indoor halls, like theLisbon Coliseum, and open-air stadia. As a consequence, Portugal would not host games of important indoor sports championships and no major concerts would take place in the country in periods of cold and rainy weather.
The decision to build the Pavilhão Atlântico within the masterplan of Expo '98 allowed the arena to have a catchment area well beyond the city of Lisbon. Being a short distance fromGare do Oriente and several major highway interchanges, allows the arena to draw spectators from all over the country.
In July 2012, the arena was sold to Arena Atlântico S.A. for €21,2 million.[2] In May 2013,Portugal Telecom acquired the naming rights to the venue, re-branding it as "MEO Arena" after its services brandMEO.[3] In October 2017, following the acquisition of Portugal Telecom byAltice, the venue was renamed "Altice Arena".[4] In February 2024, Altice Arena reverted to its previous name MEO Arena.[5]
The building was designed by Portuguese architect Regino Cruz, who is the author of several government and office buildings in Brazil and in Portugal, in association withSkidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM). SOM has been awarded first prize in the contests for the Olympic stadiums of Manchester and Berlin, and is responsible for designing many big sporting pavilions in the US (Portland, Philadelphia, Oakland and Minneapolis). The studio is also a co-designer of theVasco da Gama Tower, located at the northern end of theParque das Nações in Lisbon. The shape of the Altice Arena is reminiscent of a large flying-saucer, a sea turtle's shell or a horseshoe crab. Such a unique shape demanded out-of-the box thinking for its underpinnings, both for structural and symbolic reasons. The roof, for example, sits atop a wood grid, designed in the shape of acarrack. Being part of a world expo celebrating the world's oceans and 15th-century Portuguese discoveries, wood was considered more fitting than either concrete or steel.
The main goals of the design were: 1) Minimise the visual impact generated from such a big structure; 2) rational energy use; and 3) simplify the flow of spectators in and out of the building.
The main façade is oriented towards the south, which increases sun exposure during the colder winter months, at the same time preventing direct sunlight in the summer months. This exposure allows the reduction of heating and air conditioning costs, while at the same time natural ventilation outlets on top of the building provide air circulation and cooling. By placing the main floor 6.4 metres below ground level the architects allowed for a generously high roof, while at the same time reducing the external footprint and minimizing heat exchange (as a result of the smaller surface area exposed to the weather). The external glass façade is shaded by overhanging panels, designed to allow sunlight only during winter months. A system of external moving blinds further allows natural lighting to enter the pavilion.
Accessibility is also straightforward by means of a short stadium-seating-like external staircase that surrounds the entire building.
During Expo '98, the building was called thePavilion of Utopia and housed the spectacle"Oceans and Utopias".
The Expo '98 theme was"Knowledge of the Seas or of the Future", and while other expositions approached the"ocean" themes from artistic, scientific or historical perspective, at theUtopian Pavilion, the designers took a symbolic, dreamlike, and/or magical approach to the exhibits. As such, during the 132 days of the exposition, the Pavilion was an open space to showcase works of imagination, reflecting the fears, myths and legends that throughout history, have been associated with the World's oceans. Visitors were awarded with sights ofDaedalus, Greek Gods, mythical heroes such asHercules, as well as colorful displays portraying the birth of mankind and gods, theBig Bang, theDeluge,Atlantis, theAge of Discovery and space travel, just to name a few. Written by François I. Confine and Philippe Genty, and produced by Rozon, the show (which was presented four times a day) mixed classic theatrical elements and modern multimedia technology.
The arena was also the final venue of the 1999FIBA Under-19 World Championship, betweenUSA andSpain. The2001 IAAF World Indoor Championships, the2002 World Fencing Championships and the 2000ATP Finals also took place there.
Croatia men's national handball team became world champion for the first time there, after beatingGermany at the2003 World Men's Handball Championship Final.
The arena holds the European record for attendance in clubFutsal when 10,076 spectators saw Sporting losing to FC Barcelona (3x5) in the2014–15 UEFA Futsal Cup final-four.
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In September 2015,Web Summit co-founder and CEOPaddy Cosgrave announced that the event would be held inLisbon for three consecutive editions, from 2016 to 2018. Congrave cited the local startup scene and a "cosmopolitan city with better infrastructure conditions and a larger number of hotel rooms" for the decision.
The three-day event held from 7 to 10 November at the MEO Arena, site of Expo '98, drew 53,056 attendees from more than 150 countries and more than 1,500 start-ups spread over 21 venues. Among the more than 600 speakers were a number of tech top executives from around the world, includingJohn Chambers of Cisco Systems, Facebook CTOMike Schroepfer, Twitter founderJack Dorsey and Tesla'sElon Musk. Also speaking at the event were prominent figures from non-tech areas, such as U2 frontmanBono,Salil Shetty of Amnesty International and Joana Coles, Editor in Chief of Cosmopolitan, as well as footballerLuís Figo and both the Portuguese PresidentMarcelo Rebelo de Sousa and Prime MinisterAntónio Costa.
On 3 October 2018,Paddy Cosgrave and Prime MinisterAntónio Costa announced a €110 million deal forWeb Summit to remain in Lisbon until 2028. The deal includes doubling the capacity of Altice Arena and the surrounding fairgrounds (Feira Internacional de Lisboa).[6]
The 2018Web Summit, held from 5 to 8 November, is expected to draw 70,000 attendees from 170 countries, 1,800 start-ups and 1,500 investors.[7][needs update] The speakers of 1,200 talks includeTwitter co-founder andMedium CEOEvan Williams,Tim Berners-Lee, European Commissioner for CompetitionMargrethe Vestager, President & Chief strategy officer at Samsung Electronics Young Sohn,Lisa Jackson as environmental director ofApple, Secretary-General of the United NationsAntónio Guterres, Chief Brand Officer ofWWEStephanie McMahon, Pinterest CEO and Co-FounderBen Silbermann, president and chief legal officer ofMicrosoftBrad Smith,Twitch CEOEmmett Shear, former British Prime MinisterTony Blair,CTO and co-founder ofSlackCal Henderson,Booking.com CEOGillian Tans,Shell CEOBen van Beurden,Oculus Founder Palmer Luckey,TripAdvisor CEO Stephen Kaufer,Sophia The Robot,Major Lazer DJJillionaire (Christopher Leacock) and the 2016Formula 1 World ChampionNico Rosberg.[8]
Spanish singerEnrique Iglesias performed on 13 December 2015 as part of hisSex and Love Tour (2015), and on 30 May 2018 as part ofEnrique Iglesias Live.
Madonna concluded herRe-Invention Tour (2004) with two sold-out shows for 33,460 fans in September 2004, which were recorded and released as a concert DVD. It was the first time that she had performed in Portugal.[9] Madonna would later perform at the arena, again, on 6 and 7 November 2023, as part ofThe Celebration Tour (2023).
The tenth installment ofDave Matthews BandLive Trax series was recorded at Pavilhão Atlântico in May 2007.
Shakira held a record, at the time, for the biggest audience at the venue, during herOral Fixation Tour (2007), giving a completely sold-out show.
Kylie Minogue performed there on 4 July 2009 during herX Tour (2009). It was the first time that Minogue had performed in Portugal. She will return on 15 July 2025 for herTension Tour.
Britney Spears performed a sold-out show on 9 November 2011, as part of herFemme Fatale Tour (2011).
Justin Bieber performed a sold-out show at the venue on 11 March 2013, as part of theBelieve Tour.
British boybandOne Direction performed a sold-out show at the venue as part of theirTake Me Home Tour (2013).
For 2009, many events had already been booked a year in advance: one of the biggest acts wasGreen Day in September and laterMuse on 29 November as part of their Resistance Tour.
In 2010, the venue heldLady Gaga'sThe Monster Ball Tour show on 10 December. One week later, on 16 December,Thirty Seconds to Mars performed as part of their Into the Wild Tour.
Beyoncé first performed at the venue in 2007 as part ofThe Beyonce Experience, then performed in 2009 for herI Am... Tour and finally performed two consecutive sold-out shows in 2014, on 26 and 27 March, as part ofThe Mrs. Carter Show World Tour.
Miley Cyrus performed at the venue on 15 June 2014, as part of herBangerz Tour, using the show's footage for herBangerz Tour DVD.
On 10 November 2014, Lady Gaga returned with herArtRave: The Artpop Ball, which was referred to as "the biggest production" ever held at the venue, up until that point.
On 4 May 2015,5 Seconds of Summer kicked-off their debut world tour,Rock Out With Your Socks Out, with a sold-out show at the arena.
Adele performed two consecutive, sold-out shows in 2016, on 21 and 22 May, as part ofAdele Live 2016.
Justin Bieber performed at the arena for his second time with thePurpose World Tour on 25 November 2016, giving a sold-out show.
Ariana Grande performed in MEO Arena with theDangerous Woman Tour on 11 June 2017.
Queen + Adam Lambert performed at the arena on 7 June 2018.[10]
Robbie Williams performed at the arena on 27 March 2023 as part of the European leg of hisXXV Tour.[11]
Olivia Rodrigo performed in MEO Arena during herGuts World Tour on 22 and 23 June 2024.
Colombianreggaetón artistKarol G performed two shows at the venue during herMañana Será Bonito Tour (2023–24) on 7 and 8 July 2024.
Travis Scott performed in MEO Arena with theCircus Maximus Tour on 2,3,4 August 2024.
Tate McRae performed at the arena with theMiss Possessive Tour on 7 May 2025.
One of the most remarkable non-sporting events to ever take place there were theMTV Europe Music Awards in 2005.
In 2018, Altice Arena staged the63rd annual Eurovision Song Contest, whereNetta won with her song "Toy" for Israel.
In 2022, Altice Arena staged theBLAST Premier Spring Finals 2022 for theCounter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO) video game, which was won byNatus Vincere.
In 2025, MEO Arena hosted the Blast Open Spring 2025, aCounter Strike 2 event, the tournament was the biggest non-major tournament organized byBLAST Premier in terms of viewers. The winner isTeam Vitality
The Atlantic Pavilion is member of theAssociação de Turismo da Lisboa (ATL, English:Tourism Association of Lisbon) and active member of theEuropean Arenas Association (EAA). Through these connections the Altice Arena management has establish close relationships with the main auditoriums and arenas in Europe and benefited from their synergies of scale.
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Media related toAltice Arena at Wikimedia Commons
| Events and tenants | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | FIBA U-19 World Championship Final Venue 1999 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | ATP World Tour Finals Venue 2000 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | IAAF World Indoor Championships Venue 2001 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | World Men's Handball Championship Final Venue 2003 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Eurovision Song Contest Venue 2018 | Succeeded by |
| International | |
|---|---|
| Geographic | |
