It is the biggest multipurpose hall in Spain, as it can hold up to 26,000 people,[3] and 15,414 for indoor sports.

[4][5] It was one of the six venues used for the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup, hosted by Spain.

The arena hosted a preseason game between Bilbao Basket and the NBA team the Philadelphia 76ers.

[7] Several international pop and rock acts have also performed at the Bizkaia Arena.

The venue has also been used for other kinds of shows, such as opera, Disney on Ice, etc., political speeches, and religious meetings.