[3] It formed part of a complex which included a new hotel built opposite that opened in 1990, the nearby Wales National Ice Rink and a number of surrounding office buildings.

[8] The CIA is then expected to be closed by Live Nation and could be demolished, along with the adjoining surface car parks and buildings owned by Rapport, to provide space for a new commercial development that would be integrated into the Canal Quarter on Churchill Way.

Other names who have performed in the arena are among Westlife, Kylie Minogue, One Direction, Jessie J, Anastacia, Steps, JLS, Jason Derulo and Mariah Carey.

[12] Across 2017 and 2018, the arena underwent a significant 18-month upgrade and refurbishment funded by Live Nation in time for its 25th anniversary; this included installation of a new bar by Carlsberg called The Danish Quarter, refurbishment of the smaller Exit 7 space and existing L2 Restaurant & Bar, updated hospitality suites and hearing loop system, as well as new lifts, facial recognition cameras and other security related upgrades.

[17][18] The venue has hosted a number of concerts since it opened, with artists such as The Corrs, A-HA,[19] Sigrid, George Ezra, Richard Ashcroft, Mumford & Sons, Two Door Cinema Club, Fatboy Slim, The 1975, Bring Me The Horizon, Céline Dion, Kylie Minogue, Beyoncé, Lady Gaga, Katy Perry, Rihanna, Metallica, Enrique Iglesias, The Script, New Kids on the Block, Take That, Paloma Faith, Carrie Underwood, Michael Bublé, Steps, Craig David, Gary Barlow, James Blunt, Kelly Clarkson, Avril Lavigne, Liam Gallagher, Iron Maiden, Alice Cooper, Dio, Twisted Sister, Meat Loaf, Pink, Gwen Stefani, Girls Aloud, Sugababes, Gabrielle, LeAnn Rimes, Culture Club, Jessie J, Little Mix, Dolly Parton, Anastacia, Fifth Harmony, Leona Lewis, Ellie Goulding, Olly Murs, Ella Eyre, John Newman, Westlife, Dua Lipa, Nicki Minaj, Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds, The Killers, Biffy Clyro, The Prodigy, The Nolans, The Beach Boys, Frankie Valli, McFly, Panic!

at the Disco, Dropkick Murphys, Feeder, Fall out Boy, You Me At Six, Blink 182, All American Rejects, Ben Howard, Arctic Monkeys, Paramore, Yungblud, The Vamps, One Direction, Niall Horan, Louis Tomlinson, 5 Seconds of Summer and local favourites Catatonia, Kids in Glass Houses, Stereophonics and the Manic Street Preachers.

On 21 August 2024, All Elite Wrestling made their debut in Wales, airing Dynamite and Collision as part of All In London week.