Legends Global Welcomes The Events Industry To AO Arena For Inaugural CHS Manchester
Legends Global will bring its full UK portfolio to AO Arena on 30 September 2026, as CHS makes its first- visit to Manchester, evolving from 13 years in Leeds and 5 years in Birmingham, now choosing AO Arena as its new home.
The inaugural edition of CHS Manchester brings a packed exhibitor line-up of leading venues, hotels, destinations and suppliers together with a Hosted Buyer Programme approaching capacity, a major education programme across the Revolution Stage, Manchester Stage and Industry Hub, and a growing Fringe Programme reaching out into venues and spaces across the city. The show opens the evening before with Manchester Calling, its official welcome reception at Manchester Central, before doors open at AO Arena on the 30th.
AO Arena is the ultimate setting for CHS Manchester's debut. Sitting in the heart of the city within the Victoria Station complex, it gives visiting organisers a genuine city-centre experience, just steps from Manchester's hotels, restaurants and transport links. The venue is backed by one of the most experienced events teams in the city and has recently undergone a £50 million transformation as part of its 30th anniversary. AO Arena's track record for hosting major conference and events business includes Herbalife's European & Africa Extravaganza and CYBERUK, making it a natural stage from which to demonstrate what a Legends Global venue can deliver at scale.
Legends Global's presence at CHS Manchester goes beyond exhibiting. Colleagues from across the group's UK portfolio will be on the ground supporting the AO Arena team throughout the show, reflecting the combined expertise that sits behind every venue in the network, giving organisers a first-hand look at how that reach translates into local delivery.
The event also marks the first major showcase of Legends Global's newest addition to the portfolio, Coventry Building Society Arena, following the group's landmark 10-year partnership with Coventry City Football Club, backed by more than £15 million of joint investment. The addition strengthens Legends Global's presence in the Midlands and expands its offer for organisers looking to combine large-scale stadium capacity with conference, exhibition and hospitality space.
This builds on a record year for Legends Global's UK conference and events (C&E) business, after the company confirmed earlier in 2026 that 2025 had delivered more than 1.2 million delegates and attendees across its portfolio. With CHS Manchester expected to bring together hundreds of exhibitors and hosted buyers this week, Legends Global will use the show to set out the next phase of its multi-venue strategy to an industry audience gathered in its own venue.
Gemma Vaughan, General Manager at AO Arena said, “We’re thrilled to welcome CHS to the AO Arena and to Manchester. Whilst we’re best known as one of the UK’s leading music and entertainment venues, our £50 million redevelopment has opened up an exciting new chapter for us. Hosting CHS is a fantastic opportunity to showcase the versatility of the AO Arena and demonstrate that we’re about much more than live music. We’re proud to welcome the CHS community to Manchester and excited to give them a taste of what our venue, and our city, can offer for business events. We can’t wait to bring everyone together.”
With major venues in London, Manchester, Leeds, Aberdeen, Sheffield, Newcastle, Hull, York, Derby, Coventry and beyond, Legends Global offers organisers access to a diverse range of large-scale arenas, conference centres, exhibition spaces, civic venues, cultural event spaces and stadia. The portfolio allows clients to select the right venue for each event, while also creating opportunities to rotate conferences and meetings around the UK through a single venue partner. CHS Manchester gives visiting organisers the chance to explore that full range in person, and to speak with the Legends Global team about individual venues, multi-venue opportunities, destination rotation and major conference delivery.
Legends Global's UK venue portfolio includes:
- AO Arena, Manchester
- The Bridgewater Hall, Manchester
- Connexin Live, Hull
- Coventry Building Society Arena, Coventry
- Emirates Stadium, London
- first direct bank arena, Leeds
- Olympia, London
- OVO Arena Wembley, London
- Outernet, London
- P&J Live, Aberdeen
- Sheffield City Hall
- Utilita Arena Newcastle
- Utilita Arena Sheffield
- Valliant Live, Derby
- York Barbican
Frequently Asked Questions
- How can I buy a Luxe Scot Lounge Upgrade?
You can purchase a Luxe Scot Lounge Upgrade to selected events here. It includes early access, fast-track entry, complimentary drink on arrival and access to the Luxe Scot Lounge before, during and post-show.
- How can I purchase tickets for a concert at P&J Live?
Tickets are available from our ticketing agents AXS on https://www.axs.com/uk and Ticketmaster https://www.ticketmaster.co.uk...
P&J Live do not sell tickets directly and are unable to take ticket bookings directly over the phone. Tickets must be purchased online.
- How do I register for access to venue presale?
For certain events, venue presale tickets might be on offer. This means you'll be access tickets before they go on general sale.
To gain access to our exclusive venue presale, sign up to our newsletter here and we will send you an email with the presale link for tickets go on general sale! Please note you'll need to be signed up at least an hour before the sale starts!
Tip: Also follow us on Facebook, X and Instagram to stay updated.
- How can I book a table at 195 Bar & Grill?
Our 195 Bar & Grill offers a unique dining experience before selected shows at P&J Live. You can check availability and book a table here.
- Will I be able to purchase food at P&J Live?
There is a wide range of food and beverage options available to purchase for concerts and events, including catering outlets offering a variety of hot food options.
Please note - it is against venue policy to allow patrons to bring in their own food and drink to the venue. At P&J live it is our aim to be completely cashless, all of our bars, kiosks and restaurants accept card payments, this is more efficient, safe and ensures a speedy transaction. There are therefore no cash machines on the TECA site.
- Is there parking available at P&J Live?
Yes, there is parking available on-site at P&J Live.
There are various ways to pay for your parking at P&J Live
On site payment machines: We accept both cash and card payments on site, pay on exit is required by entering your vehicle registration at any one of our machines located in the car parks. Please note payment machines only take coins and not notes.
APCOA Connect App: Up to 24 hour after you have left the venue, you can pay for your parking on the APCOA Connect App. Once you have downloaded the app, use location code 6680 for the Sub-T Car Park (underground) and location code 2356 for the Surface Car Park.
You can also pay for parking via the APCOA website here, click which car park you parked in and then you will be able to pay for parking.
- Can I pay by cash within P&J Live?
At P&J Live it is our aim to be completely cashless, all of our bars, kiosks and restaurants accept card and contactless payments. This is more efficient, safe and ensures a speedy transaction.
There are no cash machines on the TECA sites.
- What bus can take me to P&J Live?
Regular buses will be coming in and out of the complex daily for public use. Details on bus routes and operators are still in discussion and any updates will be posted on the getting here page of the website.
Currently, the Stagecoach Service 727 runs regularly from Aberdeen City Centre to Aberdeen Airport, stopping in the TECA site as well as the 64/64A Service from Union Square to Inverurie. Updated timetables can be found here.
- How do I purchase accessible seating for a show at P&J Live?
Booking accessibility tickets has never been easier, this can now be booked online via AXS. If you are able or have someone to assist you please visit P&J Live's AXS Page, select the event you wish to see and click on ‘Wheelchair Tickets’ or ‘Ambulant Accessible Tickets’ to select your required seating and any companion tickets (if required).
Our seating configuration is flexible so the wheelchair and ambulant seating locations will vary from event to event, it is usual for us to have several locations for you to choose from, for wheelchair users; at the front of the flat floor seating beside the stage, a raised platform at the rear of the floor and also there are a few locations in our balcony area.
Further information on accessibility at the Venue can be found on our Accessibility page.