Co-Op Live Arena

Co-op Live is the UK’s largest indoor arena, with a capacity of 23,500. Located within Manchester’s Etihad Campus, the venue includes 41 bars and restaurants alongside 9 premium club spaces, creating a diverse mix of large-scale and intimate environments.

Park Lighting Design were appointed to deliver full internal and external LED lighting design and coordination across the entire development.

The Challenge

Delivering lighting for a venue of this scale required a coordinated approach across a wide range of spaces, each with different functional and atmospheric requirements.

Key challenges included:

• Ensuring consistency across the main arena, hospitality areas, offices, and community spaces
• Coordinating specifications across more than 40 lighting manufacturers
• Managing delivery across multiple construction phases
• Balancing performance, efficiency, and compliance throughout

The Solution

Park Lighting Design developed a fully integrated LED lighting scheme, tailored to each environment while maintaining a cohesive overall approach.

The project covered all key areas, including the arena, bars and restaurants, club spaces, offices, and community areas.

A strong focus was placed on value engineering, refining specifications to prioritise British manufactured lighting products without compromising on performance or design intent.

The team worked closely with contractors, architects, and suppliers throughout, ensuring smooth coordination and consistent quality from design through to installation.

The Outcome

The completed lighting scheme supports one of the UK’s most advanced entertainment venues, enhancing both functionality and atmosphere across every space.

The result is a high-performance, energy-efficient solution that:

• Elevates the scale and impact of the arena environment
• Creates distinct, well-considered lighting across hospitality and premium areas
• Supports efficient day-to-day operation across back of house and office spaces

This project highlights Park Lighting Design’s ability to deliver complex, large-scale schemes with clarity, coordination, and practical execution.