P&J Live Wins Coveted Innovation Champion Award Following Standout Year Of New Event Creation
P&J Live Wins Coveted Innovation Champion Award Following Standout Year Of New Event Creation
At a glittering awards ceremony held at the iconic OVO Wembley Arena in London on Thursday 16th April 2026, the team that operates Aberdeen’s P&J Live won the coveted Innovation Champion Award, recognising an exceptional year of creativity, commercial thinking and bold new event development in 2025.
The Legends Awards are hosted annually to celebrate the venues, teams and individuals at Legends Global’s diverse range of European operations across stadia, arenas, concert halls and conference centres. The Innovation Champion award celebrates teams that challenge convention, create new opportunities and deliver meaningful results through innovation – and P&J Live was recognised for doing exactly that in 2025.
Operating one of the UK’s largest venues in the north of Scotland presents a unique challenge, with geography sometimes limiting the volume of content available each year. Rather than accept that constraint, the P&J Live team took a fresh and entrepreneurial approach by creating, acquiring and partnering on a series of events designed to diversify programming, grow revenues and bring new audiences through the doors.
Among the standout successes recognised by the judges were:
- The Getaway Show – P&J Live’s own caravan and motorhome exhibition, created entirely in-house from concept to launch, which delivered a profitable first year and will return in 2026.
- Dons Live – a celebratory arena event marking Aberdeen FC’s 2025 Scottish Cup triumph, which proved hugely popular with supporters.
- The successful acquisition and relaunch of a major safety exhibition, delivering a profitable first year under venue management.
- Bringing Aberdeen’s first immersive exhibition, Beyond Van Gogh, to the venue, attracting 20,000 visitors over a month-long run.
- Securing a multi-year joint venture for the Scottish Masters football tournament, broadcast live on the BBC.
- Delivering the world premiere of the Hot Wheels Stunt Show, a complex but commercially successful production.
- Collectively, these initiatives generated new revenues and helped broaden the range of content available at the venue.
Rob Wicks, Managing Director of P&J Live, said: “We are absolutely thrilled to receive this award. It is fantastic recognition for a team that has shown real ambition, creativity and resilience over the past year.
We have challenged ourselves to think differently about how we programme the venue, create new commercial opportunities and bring fresh experiences to the North East.
Most importantly, this award reflects the hard work of colleagues across every part of the business who have embraced innovation and delivered these events so successfully. I couldn’t be prouder of the team, and they fully deserve the recognition.”
The award win comes as P&J Live continues to build momentum with a growing pipeline of concerts, exhibitions, conferences and original event concepts for 2026 and beyond, including acting as the host venue for Scotland’s round of the World Rally Championship from 2027.
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 Seat Unique on https://pandjlive.seatunique.c...
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.