Key Points
- McLaren Construction appointed as main contractor for the £300m Cardiff Arena at Atlantic Wharf.
- Construction progress includes enabling works and site preparation, with main build starting in late 2025.
- Arena expected to open in 2028, creating 1,000 jobs and attracting one million extra visitors annually.
The £300 million Cardiff Arena project at Atlantic Wharf is advancing with new pictures revealing visible construction progress on the site near Cardiff Bay’s Wales Millennium Centre. McLaren Construction has secured the main contract after outbidding rivals, marking a key milestone in the regeneration of the 30-acre area. The 16,500-capacity venue forms the heart of plans that include a hotel, multi-storey car park and public spaces, set to boost the city’s visitor economy.
What is the latest progress on the Cardiff Arena construction?
Enabling works for the arena began in phases, with surface car park removal at County Hall nearing completion by June 2025. The project received final approval in August 2025, appointing McLaren Construction Group as the primary contractor for the design-and-build package valued between £225 million and £300 million. Recent updates indicate main construction by McLaren will commence in the fourth quarter of 2025, following groundwork started as early as 2023.
According to Business News Wales, the scheme positions the arena as a catalyst for city growth, with partners highlighting its role in redeveloping Cardiff Bay alongside upgrades to transport and leisure facilities. Emile Con reports that new images capture the site blending historical elements with modern design at Atlantic Wharf, underscoring the transformation underway.
How will the arena impact Cardiff’s economy and events?
The arena is projected to host around 140 events annually, drawing one million additional visitors each year and creating approximately 1,000 ongoing jobs. Cardiff Council anticipates it will strengthen the visitor economy, comparable to the impact of the Principality Stadium since 1999. The venue’s operator, a joint venture between Live Nation and Oak View Group, will manage the 17,000-seat space, attracting international acts and conferences.
What infrastructure accompanies the arena?
Plans encompass a 900-space multi-storey car park, a 150-room four-star hotel, harbour-front plaza and public realm improvements. The development ties into the Welsh Government’s Metro project for enhanced rail access, cycling routes and a district heat network aiming for carbon neutrality. Relocation of the existing Travelodge and Red Dragon Centre tenants supports phased delivery over seven to ten years.
When is the arena expected to open and what challenges have arisen?
Target opening is the second half of 2028, coinciding with Cardiff hosting the UEFA EURO 2028 opening match. Delays shifted timelines from earlier projections of 2026 or 2027, influenced by redesigns for cost certainty amid inflation, reducing the arena’s price to £250 million including hotel rebuild. Planning permission was granted in February 2023 after a January 2022 application by HOK, inspired by Cardiff’s waterfront and industrial heritage.
Councillor Huw Thomas, Leader of Cardiff Council, described the project as a decade-long priority, stating it would bring consistency to the events calendar and benefit hospitality businesses. Local spending targets mandate subcontracts within a 30-mile radius, with the largest package awarded to a Cardiff firm. Stakeholders including Cardiff Council as landowner and master-developer emphasise the arena’s role in competing with cities like Manchester and Birmingham.
