The O2

The O2 announced today that for the fifth year in a row it has been crowned the world's number one music venue with a staggering 1,927,600 tickets sold last year - more than any other arena in the world, and smashing its previous record of 1,737,654 tickets sold in 2010.

In its year-end ranking chart, leading industry magazine Pollstar shows The O2 arena's ticket sales eclipsed its nearest competitor by nearly three quarters of a million tickets. The O2 has achieved international number one status every year since opening five years ago.

Jay Marciano, President and CEO of AEG Europe, owner and operator of The O2, said: "To have once again topped Pollstar's year-end ranking, and have secured this accolade for a fifth straight year, is an incredible achievement we are very proud of. We had another fantastic year at The O2, which featured an eclectic line-up including a ten record-breaking nights of Rihanna and the venue's first foray into ballet, with acclaimed performances from the Royal Ballet's Romeo and Juliet in early summer and the Birmingham Royal Ballet's The Nutcracker, perfectly timed for the Christmas season. With nearly 2 million tickets sold, 2011 served to reinforce that The O2 arena, along with our diverse content offerings, is a powerful combination which continues to attract London's live entertainment audiences in record numbers. We now look forward to 2012, when The O2 will play host to many prestigious Olympic events."

Other highlights of 2011 included shows from international artists ranging from Glee Live! to Kings of Leon, Kylie Minogue to Usher, Coldplay to Paul McCartney, and comedians Peter Kay and Lee Evans. Last year also saw The O2 nurture up-and-coming musical talent in its first free music festival, December Sessions, and assume its role as home for the prestigious BRIT Awards and the phenomenal Barclays ATP World Tour Finals , which returned for a third year.

This year is set to be even more exciting for The O2. As well as its role as host venue for this summer's 2012 Olympic Games, The O2 will host exclusive events including the first ever Sundance London - an exclusive four day multi-disciplinary arts festival - and an eight night residency by comedian Michael McIntyre.