Featured News

UFC and comedy events announced for London’s The O2

UFC will be returning to London for its first international show of 2022 in March, at The O2.

Tickets for the event will go on sale on Friday, February 4 via ticket platforms AXS and Ticketmaster, but those who are members of ‘Fight Club’ and have access to O2 priority will be able to purchase tickets on Wednesday, February 2.

VIP tickets are also available through luxury live event experience company, On Location, which is the UFC’s official VIP experience provider. Fans will be able to enjoy ticket packages for the March 19 event that feature premium seating, VIP access to weigh-ins of the athletes, pre-fight hospitality, as well as meet and greets with the UFC fighters.

UFC president Dana White said: “Every time we put on an event in London it’s an unbelievable experience. The fans are incredible, and the fights are always off the charts. It’s a different kind of energy in England. And I can’t wait to get back there with a fight card on March 19.”

Organisers at The O2 have had a busy week, as it has also been announced that comedy festival Just For Laughs London will be launched at the London venue in 2023, in collaboration with sports and live entertainment company, AEG Presents.

Just For Laughs London will be a four-day pass-based festival with solo shows, live podcast recordings, in-conversation style sets and cast panels – consisting of both UK-based performers and international stars.

The Just For Laughs comedy festival was set up in Canada in 1983 and has helped many of Britain’s comedians to flourish when performing at the festival, including Jimmy Carr, Jack Whitehall, Eddie Izzard and Sarah Millican. Actor Rowan Atkinson also launched his legendary ‘Mr Bean’ character at Montreal’s Just For Laughs Festival, which has also hosted British comedy veterans John Cleese, Lenny Henry and Stephen Fry.

Bruce Hills, president of Just For Laughs, said: “We couldn’t be happier to be producing a Just For Laughs festival in the UK, celebrating the contribution and influence British comedy has had on JFL as well as the industry as a whole.

“With British comedy being a fundamental touchstone of our company for the last four decades, we are so excited to work with AEG Presents and The O2, and deliver our UK fans an irreplicable first-class JFL experience at a world-class London venue.”

Emma Bownes, vice-president of venue programming at The O2, added: “The O2 is thrilled to be partnering with both JFL and AEG Presents on Just For Laughs London in March 2023. Just For Laughs are world leaders in comedy programming, and we can’t wait to host the very best UK and global stars.”

Just For Laughs London will run March 2-5, 2023, with ticket information to be released over the coming months.