Watford Borough Council has officially handed over the keys of the refurbished Watford Colosseum to AEG Presents UK, marking the practical completion of the venue's multi-million-pound upgrade and a significant milestone in the Town Hall Quarter regeneration.

With the building now complete, AEG will begin the next phase: fitting out the iconic venue with state-of-the-art equipment, lighting and furnishings, ahead of its much-anticipated reopening in autumn 2025. Over the coming months, the venue will be transformed into a first-class cultural destination ready to welcome world-renowned artists and local audiences alike.

The council-led refurbishment has restored and modernised key parts of the Colosseum in partnership with Morgan Sindall Construction. This includes the installation of a brand-new stage, complete bar refurbishments, accessibility improvements, the reopening of the original main entrance, upgraded wayfinding, and extensive interior renovations across all areas.

Sustainability has also been central to the upgrade, ensuring the venue retains its historic charm while meeting modern environmental standards. These improvements works have been supported by £16 million in Government funding.

Elected Mayor of Watford, Peter Taylor, said: "This is a major step forward in bringing first-class, live entertainment to Watford. With AEG Presents officially on board and the building work completed, we're now counting down to an exciting opening season in the brilliantly refurbished Colosseum. This has been a key priority for us, and I'm delighted to see the venue ready for its next chapter."

Steve Homer, CEO of AEG Presents UK, said: "We're thrilled to take this next step with Watford Colosseum. The council's investment has created a brilliant venue that blends heritage with modern capability, and we're excited to begin the fit-out process. This venue has huge potential, and we're confident it will attract incredible talent and become a much-loved home for live entertainment in the region."

Lisa Mart, General Manager Watford Colosseum said  "We are very proud to be relaunching a venue with such a rich history for Watford audiences and beyond. The collaboration with Watford Council and the local business community has been an incredibly positive experience, and we already have a really varied line up across al kinds of genres for all kinds of fans. We look forward to the launch when we open our doors officially on 29^th August and are so proud to open such an amazing venue." 

AEG Presents has already announced some of the first acts to take the stage in autumn 2025, including Ocean Colour Scene with P.P. Arnold, Jake Bugg, The Stranglers, and David Essex, with many more to be revealed. The revived venue will offer an exciting mix of top-tier national talent and local community use, positioning the Colosseum as one of the region's premier entertainment destinations. The Colosseum is a cornerstone of the council's ambitious 10-year Town Hall Quarter programme, which includes eight interlinked projects designed to bring investment, culture, and opportunity to the heart of Watford. For updates and event news, visit www.watfordcolosseum.co.uk and sign up to the mailing list.