IG ARENA HOSTS INAUGURAL PUBLIC EVENT HEADLINED BY HANS ZIMMER

Multiple GRAMMY® and Academy Award winning film score composer, conductor and music producer Hans Zimmer headlined the first-ever public event at Japan’s new state-of-the-art IG Arena in Aichi Prefecture, Nagoya.  The performance took place on 24 May 2025 in the 17,000-seat multi-purpose arena, which is part of several new projects in Asia being developed by AEG, the world’s leading sports and live entertainment company.

Speaking at the inaugural event, Hans Zimmer stated: “You are the first audience here, and we were the first one to play.” Zimmer’s live show combined a powerful orchestra, world-class bands and state-of-the-art visuals to ensure the venue’s foremost guests paid witness to a moving and memorable experience. With state-of-the-art acoustics, breathtaking sound clarity, and world-class production capabilities, IG Arena is redefining the live experience — with the opening event firmly establishing the venue as a must-play destination on the Japan touring circuit.

AEG is behind some of the world’s most iconic venues and precincts, known for pioneering innovative regeneration projects including Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, The O₂ in London,  Uber Arena in Berlin, and most recently, UOB LIVE in Bangkok.  AEG’s presence in Asia continues to expand rapidly, with a strong and growing footprint across key markets, with other significant projects underway in areas such as Osaka, Japan and Bangkok, Thailand.

Speaking on the opening, Alex Hill, CEO of AEG International says: “The opening of IG Arena is a proud moment for AEG and our partners in Japan. Together, we’ve created a world-class venue that reflects the energy, innovation, and cultural richness of this incredible market. Hans Zimmer’s unforgettable inaugural performance has set the tone for what this arena will represent — a new era for live entertainment in the region. AEG is fully committed to supporting the growth of Asia Pacific’s live entertainment landscape, through visionary infrastructure and boundary-pushing creative programming. We’re excited for what lies ahead.”

IG Arena, with its hybrid oval-shaped arena, is considered one of Japan’s largest and most modern sports and entertainment facilities.  The venue will formally open on 13 July, 2025, hosting the Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament, also known as the Nagoya Basho.

IG Arena is AEG’s latest addition to its impressive property portfolio of over 100 owned or operated venues. AEG entertains over 90 million fans annually, presenting more than 12,000 shows and 13,000 live events worldwide.