Music
Step Inside
Step Inside: OVO Hydro Glasgow
From athletic meets to major popstars' tours, here is everything you need to know about Glasgow's favourite arena
| Venue Quick Facts | |
|---|---|
| Venue Name | OVO Hydro |
| Location | Scottish Event Campus, Glasgow |
| Parking Information | There is a multi-story carpark at the Scottish Event Campus, plus a number of nearby public carparks |
| Address | Exhibition Way, Stobcross Rd, Glasgow G3 8YW |
| Phone # | 0141 248 3000 |
| Capacity | 14,300 |
| Opened | September 30, 2013 |
| Designed By | Foster + Partners |
| Website | ovohydro.com |
Want to experience the biggest stars, the most anticipated global tours, and the most thrilling international sporting events in the heart of Glasgow? Chances are you’ll find all of that and more at Glasgow’s OVO Hydro Arena; a place where the 2014 Common Wealth Games, an MTV EMA ceremony, and The BBC Sports Personality of the Year have all been staged. You can even watch Monster Truck shows.
Opening in September 2013 with a concert by Rod Stewart, OVO Hydro Arena has become Glasgow’s premier multi-purpose venue, and continues to host entertainment’s best and brightest.
OVO Hydro Arena History
Like any big name in entertainment – Prince, Snoop Dogg, David Bowie – OVO Hydro Arena has gone through identity changes throughout its storied history. First founded by Scottish Event Campus, the OVO Hydro Arena opened on 30 September 2013 as “The SSE Hydro Arena”, a name it retained until 2021. It also went through a number of monikers during its development and construction, including “Scotland’s National Arena” and “Scottish Hydro Arena”. The venue took on its current name after OVO Energy became its official sponsor, with the aim to make the arena more sustainable.
Venue Design
Designed by Foster + Partners architectural firm, OVO Hydro Arena’s shape was inspired by ancient Greek amphitheatres – its sloping shape allows optimal viewing of the stage from every seat. The venue has a maximum capacity of 14,300 (12,300 seated and an extra 2000 standing spaces), and attracts an audience of over a million visitors per year.
The OVO Hydro arena also works closely with AccessAble, the leading UK organisation providing information and resources on accessibility across different sectors. There are two accessible entrances to the arena, located at the West and East Doors. Visitors who need to use these entrances are welcome to do so, regardless of their ticket location, plus, there are fireproof wheelchair-friendly lifts that operate on the concourse areas of the first two floors. These lifts are 120cm wide, while the Hydro Club lifts that take visitors to the to the restaurants and bar areas are 91cm wide.
The OVO Hydro Arena is split into four levels; the ground level, where the standing space, ground level seating, the stage and main bars are located, as well as the OVO Live customer lounges. The first level is where the Hydro executive suites are located, plus the Capital FM Star Suite, The Hydeout Restaurant for VIP and Hydro Club visitors, and the Clubhouse Restaurant and Lounge. On the second level you can find seating and general admission bars and restaurants. The third level has the last section of seating, and every floor has toilets and changing stations.
Food, drinks and retail at the OVO Hydro Arena
No event is complete without a drink, a snack or, if you’re really fancy, a fine dining experience. And you can find all that and more at the OVO Hydro Arena. On the ground floor, there is a cashless bar stocked with soft drinks, alcohol and bar snacks. The first floor has a bar and Self-Ordering kiosks, plus private dining suites and lounges for Hydro Club or VIP ticket holders. Visitors can also visit the Clydebuilt Bar & Kitchen, which takes pre-concert dining reservations, but also can host private events, dates or casual diners.
Getting to the OVO Hydro Arena
By Public Transport
The OVO Hydro Arena is very close the banks of the River Clyde, and is accessible via train, coach service and taxi. The SEC has its own train station called Exhibition Centre, which is connected to train routes from Glasgow Central Station and Glasgow Queen Street Station. The trainlines operating from these stations are ScotRail, LNER, TransPennine, Cross Country Rail and Avanti West Coast trains.
Visitors can also get to the arena via the X19 Stagecoach service, which stops at Finnieston street just a few minutes from the Scottish Event Campus.
Taxis regularly drop visitors off at the OVO Hydro Arena, at the pick-up and drop-off point outside the SEC Armadillo, right next to the arena. There are also Taxi ranks around the city, including Buchanan Bus Station, Queen Street and all central stations, which serve routes to the OVO Hydro Arena.
By Car
To get to there by car, you can access the SEC via the M8 motorway. At junction 19, leave the motorway and join westbound Clydeside Expressway, then take road signposted “SEC East”. You can then access the multi-storey parking at the SEC after taking a left at the traffic lights. The parking has a two-metre height restriction, and is located on 10 Stobcross Road, G3 8GS.
