The National Indoor Arena, one of Birmingham’s best-known concert venues, is to be renamed the Barclaycard Arena following a £26m refurbishment.
The 23-year-old arena will take on the new moniker when it reopens in December after an 18-month refurbishment. The name change is part of a partnership agreement signed by owner the NEC Group and Barclaycard in 2011.
The refurbishment sees a significant revamp of all areas of the indoor arena – including a new glass façade and a 65,000 sq ft extension overlooking the neighbouring canalside development Brindleyplace.
NEC Group chief executive Paul Thandi said: “The renaming of the NIA to the Barclaycard Arena continues to build and strengthen our partnership with Barclaycard.
“The new name reflects the enhanced and improved experience that the refurbishment will provide visitors, artists and promoters.
The NIA forms part of the city council’s 20-year vision The Big City Plan.
