The O2 and Music Venue Trust announce partnership recognising grassroots venues

From now on, The O2 will make a donation to MVT every time an artist headlines the arena for the first time.

Date published: 9th Dec 2025

The O2 and Music Venue Trust have announced a major new partnership formally recognising the importance of grassroots venues in today’s music scene. 

The three-year long partnership will see the arena make a direct donation to MVT every time an artist headlines at the venue for the first time, acknowledging the role grassroots venues have on kickstarting opportunities for future chart toppers and arena headliners. The news comes at the tail end of a year that has seen more than 50 artists make their headline debut at The O2, and the venue has marked the milestone by making an initial six figure donation to support the UK’s grassroots scene. 

MVT said of the news, “This action sets a new benchmark for how major venues can invest directly in the talent pipeline. It strengthens the connection between the earliest gigs and the biggest stages, ensuring artists have the spaces they need to grow. Our message to the rest of the sector is simple: The O2 has taken the lead. It’s time for every arena to follow.”

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