It would almost be easier to list the bands that haven’t played the Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre – or the AECC as it’s locally known. Oasis, Iron Maiden, Neil Young, Dolly Parton, Westlife, The Killers, Jay-Z, Foo Fighters and Katy Perry have all played live in the last decade, while big-name comedians like Frankie Boyle, Peter Kay and Michael McIntyre have all performed at the 8,500-capacity venue.
AECC
AECC
AECC
Built in 1985, the centre has played host to a diverse range of shows, including WWE wrestling, ice-skating events, World Snooker’s Grand Prix, tennis and live shows from The X Factor and Britain’s Got Talent. It’s also an in-demand conference centre, hosting the SPE Offshore Europa oil and gas exhibition every two years.
The AECC is located to the north of the city centre, with our Aberdeen North (Bridge of Don) hotel the closest, just a mile north up Ellon Road.
As you’d expect, the centre has excellent on-site catering and parking for hundreds of cars, with tickets available on arrival. Alongside that, there’s a Gig’n’Go scheme that operates from the city centre for big events. This will take you from Union Street to the AECC and back again for just a few pounds for a return ticket.
The indoor arena can hold anywhere from 4,000-8,500 people, depending on the size of the performance, making it one of the most versatile event spaces in the north of Scotland. In total, the space hosts over 600 events each year, attracting over 300,000 visitors annually.
And that demand has meant that they’re upgrading the centre to a new building. It is set to open in 2019 with some truly impressive numbers, including 33,000 square metres of space, a larger conference hall and arena capable of holding up to 12,500 fans, hospitality boxes and a club lounge.