Since World War II it has been used for a variety of events, including boxing matches, film showings and classical and rock concerts.

[2][3] With the intent of showing the kinship between ancient Greek and Germanic culture, the entrance is flanked by two pairs of reliefs by Adolf Wamper: on the left, representing the "Fatherland", two male nudes, one with a sword, the other with a spear,[2][4] a pairing that was to be used more famously by Arno Breker;[5] and on the right, representing artistic celebration, two female nudes, one with a laurel wreath, the other with a lyre.

[11] During the Olympics and later, dance and choral movement productions took place there, in addition to operas: during the Olympics and again in 1937 for the celebration of the 700th anniversary of the founding of Berlin, Handel's Hercules; also in 1937, Gluck's Orfeo;[8] and in 1939, a production of Wagner's Rienzi paid for and co-designed by Hitler in association with Benno von Arent.

270,000 DM in damage was done, in a riot that fulfilled the dire prophecies of some Berlin newspapers about rock concerts and was the first inter-generational battle of the 1960s in West Germany.

In the reality series Pawn Stars, Rick Harrison bought a rare poster for this concert for $4,000 (episode #20 of season 5, aired 30 January 2012).

[11][13] Some other artists who have appeared there include Bruce Springsteen, who 23 000 people came to see, Queen, U2, David Bowie, Elton John, Rod Stewart, The Rolling Stones, Iron Maiden, AC/DC, Berlin's Rammstein in 2016, Germany's Alphaville in 1986, Bon Jovi, Metallica, Van Halen, Black Sabbath, Pearl Jam, Kings of Leon, Radiohead, Robbie Williams, Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds, Prince, Depeche Mode, Whitney Houston and Barbra Streisand.

[13][22] Before COVID-19, American-Armenian rock and roll band System of a Down was set to perform at the arena on 8 June 2020,[23] American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift was set to perform on 24 June 2020 as part of Lover Fest and Canadian singer Celine Dion was due to return to the arena after 11 years with the Courage World Tour[24] on 22 July 2020.