Morningside Arena announces extension plans for 5-court venue

The Morningside Arena – home of the Leicester Riders – has announced plans for a 1,200 metres squared extension to increase the facility from a three to a five-court venue, making it the largest in the country.

The Arena, with a capacity for up to 3,000, had the extension put through a pre-Application planning review process earlier in the year, as the final planning application was submitted last month.

“The Arena along with many other businesses in the sector has come through some very difficult times due to Covid, but we are very positive about the opportunities going forward,” said Riders Chairman Kevin Routledge, a Director of Morningside Arena.

“Our community sport usage pre-Covid was growing every year, so much so, that our Foundation has had to look for additional external facilities, to support its programme.

“Meanwhile the Arena’s reputation for staging major events has been growing, and we have already invested significantly to make the Arena Covid-secure and more flexible.

“We are attracting bookings for major TV events across a range of sports which have never been staged in Leicester and we need the extra space to maintain our dual purpose, including the further growth of Riders basketball pathway and community engagement.

“This addition will also improve the customer experience for the largest events.

“Thus, we felt the time was right to get on with this development, which has the support of all our partners, including the City Council and Leicester College.”

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