[2] The arena is located alongside the Birmingham Canal Navigations Main Line's Old Turn Junction and opposite the National Sea Life Centre in Brindleyplace.

The plans included creating a showpiece entrance from the canal-side, three "sky needle" light sculptures, a new glazed facade fronting the canal and new pre-show hospitality elements.

The design was by the architecture firm Broadway Malyan and the building contract was awarded to Royal BAM Group in 2013 with a projected finishing date of Winter 2014.

The redeveloped arena was officially opened with a performance by singer Michael Bublé on 2 December 2014.

[18] The arena has been used for several major events in the past, including counting no fewer than eight constituencies in the hall for the 1992 general election.