This December marks 25 years of unforgettable live entertainment at The SSE Arena, Belfast, as well as another milestone: a quarter-century of partnership with Ticketmaster Ireland. Since the venue first opened its doors in 2000, Ticketmaster has played a central role in delivering innovative and reliable ticketing solutions for events that have welcomed millions of fans across Northern Ireland and beyond.
Over the past quarter-century, the collaboration has continually evolved to meet the ever-changing needs and expectations of customers, artists, and promoters. Together, The SSE Arena and Ticketmaster have introduced a range of customer-focused and technology-driven improvements, supporting the venue’s continued development. This shared commitment to innovation has played a key role in the venue’s growth, which now sees 700,000 visitors welcomed annually. To date, the Arena has hosted more than 3,000 events, including over 770 Belfast Giants ice hockey games and upwards of 1,100 concerts. To date, more than 13 million tickets have been processed through the partnership, contributing to the venue’s cultural and economic influence in Northern Ireland.
As a venue committed to improving the audience experience, The SSE Arena has been an early adopter of emerging digital tools. From the move to mobile ticketing to enhanced anti-fraud measures, technology has helped improve the customer journey and streamline event operations. In 2023, The SSE Arena became one of the first venues on the island of Ireland to introduce Ticketmaster’s SafeTix™ platform, designed to strengthen security and create a smoother entry process for fans.
Additionally, since the 2013/14 season, Belfast Giants season ticket holders have benefited from Ticketmaster’s purpose-built Archtics platform – a digitised, central hub for account holders to access, manage, and download their tickets via the Ticketmaster mobile app or Account Manager. Through secure digital ticket delivery, improved coordination, and flexible payment options, Archtics has transformed fan experience, enhancing the ease and reliability of account management.
These developments have supported event planning, customer service and audience engagement, helping the venue attract a wide range of touring productions and major live acts. The long-standing partnership has played a role in shaping The SSE Arena’s position within Northern Ireland’s live entertainment landscape.
Claire Cosgrave, Associate Director of Arena and Experience at The Odyssey Trust, said: “For 25 years, Ticketmaster Ireland has been a valued partner in the evolution of The SSE Arena. Together, we’ve navigated significant changes in the live entertainment sector, from traditional box office queues to fully digital ticketing, always aiming to enhance the experience for fans. As we mark our 25th anniversary, we are immensely proud of what this partnership has achieved and excited for the innovations and opportunities that lie ahead.”
This anniversary also comes as Ticketmaster approaches its 50th year in 2026, marking another milestone in a long-running relationship built on shared goals and ongoing collaboration.
Paul Skeffington, Vice President of Sales and Business Development at Ticketmaster Ireland, commented: “The SSE Arena has always shared our passion for giving fans the best possible live experience and has been an eager pioneer of new ticketing technology – that’s why this partnership has worked so well for 25 years. Supporting over 3,000 events together since 2000 is something we’re really proud of – essentially half of Ticketmaster’s lifetime. With Ticketmaster turning 50 next year, we’re looking forward to building on that shared vision and creating even more great nights for fans in Belfast.”
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