[5] Leeds had been the largest city in the United Kingdom without a major venue to hold music or indoor sporting events.

The consultation on the Vision for Leeds 2004 to 2020 showed a strong demand from the public for a new arena, and the project became one of the city's 12 priorities.

It appointed PMP consultants whose report outlined the viability of a Leeds Arena, and other potential projects such as a concert hall.

Whilst this study was taking place, campaigners including the Yorkshire Evening Post lobbied for a new arena to be built in the city.

SMG's European managing director has stated that Leeds will be its "flagship venue" in Europe and that they expect First Direct Arena "to be in the top 10 in the world within two to three years of opening".

This design uses – a voronoi diagram – to create cellular shapes that are visible on key approaches to the arena.

On an evening, the front of the building has the ability to change colour or pattern dependent on the show or mood of the arena at the time.

[17] Yorkshire Forward's support and intended £18 million funding has gained much publicity and has been subject to fierce political fighting.

However, following a decision by BIS, central government initially did not authorise Yorkshire Forward to provide funding to the scheme.

This was met with fierce criticism from Sheffield MPs, but received positive responses in the Leeds City Region.

[19] A wide variety of events have already taken place or been scheduled, including: Bruce Springsteen, Elton John, Leonard Cohen, Kaiser Chiefs, Stereophonics, Depeche Mode, Rod Stewart, Andrea Bocelli, James Blunt, Bryan Adams, Slash, Boyzone, JLS, 5 Seconds of Summer, Miley Cyrus, Prince, Dolly Parton, Eagles, The 1975, Status Quo, Pearl Jam, Biffy Clyro, Manic Street Preachers, Catatonia, Eric Clapton, Il Divo, The Who, Alfie Boe, Michael Bublé, The Script, Madness, Morrissey, Lionel Richie, Paloma Faith, Queen + Adam Lambert, Olly Murs, Nicki Minaj, Pharrell Williams, Fleetwood Mac, John Legend, Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, Bette Midler, Neil Diamond, Simple Minds, Duran Duran, Bad Company, Paul Weller, alt-J, Natalie Imbruglia, Simply Red, Slipknot, Foals, Wet Wet Wet, Peter Andre, Ellie Goulding, Mariah Carey, Jeff Lynne's ELO, Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds, Gladys Knight, Jean-Michel Jarre, Green Day, Drake, Pet Shop Boys, Kings of Leon, The Weeknd, Adnan Sami, Craig David, Richard Ashcroft, Shreya Ghoshal, Bruno Mars, Iron Maiden, The Cribs, Shawn Klush, Adam Ant, The Stone Roses, Celine Dion, The Killers, Steps, The Kooks, Jools Holland, Elbow, Black Sabbath, James Taylor, Alice Cooper, REO Speedwagon, Kylie Minogue, Nickelback, David Byrne, Gabrielle, Rick Astley, Tom Bailey, Belinda Carlisle, Culture Club, The Prodigy, Courteeners, Bring Me the Horizon, Mumford & Sons, James, The Charlatans, Jane McDonald, Alison Moyet, Tears for Fears, Cher, Rita Ora, Bonnie Raitt, Frank Turner and The Sleeping Souls, The Wombats, George Ezra, Shawn Mendes, Westlife, A-ha, Little Mix, Blink-182, Genesis, Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark, Deacon Blue, Liam Gallagher, Sam Fender, Dua Lipa, Blondie, Diana Ross, Diljit Dosanjh, Shania Twain, Ghost, Snoop Dogg, Tenacious D among others.

Miranda Hart, Russell Howard, Micky Flanagan, Lee Evans, John Bishop, Mrs. Brown's Boys, Harry Enfield and Paul Whitehouse, Michael McIntyre, Vic Reeves and Bob Mortimer, Ricky Gervais, Chris Rock, Russell Peters, The League of Gentlemen, Whoopi Goldberg, Joanna Lumley, Jason Manford, Jack Whitehall.

Cirque du Soleil, Jesus Christ Superstar, Dancing on Ice, Disney on Ice, The X Factor, Strictly Come Dancing, Diversity, BBC Radio 1 Xtra Live, The MOBO Awards, Dynamo, Bear Grylls, The ARIAS Awards, Leeds Gymfest, Harlem Globetrotters, Brian Cox, Nashville in Concert.

[20] The first boxing event took place on 21 December 2013, which saw Stuart Hall win the vacant IBF championship.