Peter Kay to perform at opening of UK's largest indoor arena

The comedian has been announced as the new venue's opening act

The UK's largest indoor arena will open its doors for the first time with a headline act performed by Peter Kay.

The Bolton comedian will perform at the opening night of the new 23,500-seater Co-op Live venue in Manchester on 23 April.

Liam Gallagher, Take That, Pearl Jam and Olivia Rodrigo are also set to separately perform at the £350m arena.

Co-op general manager Gary Roden said Kay was the "perfect" opening act who "embodies what this city is about".

The new venue, set to open opposite Manchester City's Etihad stadium, featured a "unique bowl design" that would bring fans "closer to the artist than at other arenas of equivalent size", a spokesman for the Co-op said.

Work began on the new venue on Etihad Campus in May 2021

The 23,500-seater arena is set to surpass the Manchester Arena and O2 Arena in size to become the UK's largest indoor arena.

Peter Kay will perform at the opening as part of his comeback tour, with tickets to go on general sale on Friday.

"When you think of Manchester, it's hard not to think of Peter Kay," Mr Roden said.

"To have him headlining Co-op Live is tremendously exciting.

"We're creating an arena that is truly part of the community around it, and having Peter as our opening act is a perfect reminder of that."