28 Jan
Scottish Event Campus Reports looks forward to year of events and developments, announcing £557m Economic Value for City and Nation and welcomed 2 million visitors
The Scottish Event Campus (SEC) in Glasgow has reported a strong financial performance for 2024/25, with 2 million visitors through the doors and delivering £557million in economic value for Glasgow and Scotland.
The results come at the start of a calendar year where the venue will again stand as one of the key locations for the Commonwealth Games and host touring performances from world-renowned artists, including Gorillaz, Richard Ashcroft, Tame Impala, Paul Simon, David Byrne and Olivia Dean.
The announcement of the results comes in step with a range of physical on-site developments and investment to not only future proof the venue but enhance visitor experience and the SEC’s place as one of the world’s leading event, conference and entertainment destinations.
The Campus delivered significant economic value to Glasgow and Scotland, reinforcing its significant contribution to employment, tourism and inward investment and providing a robust platform for sustained, long-term growth.
The 2024/25 report also details results for the venue in 2024/25 with £54.4m in turnover, operating profits of £4.1m and EBITDA of £7m, reinforcing its position as one of Scotland’s most valuable cultural and economic assets.
The venues also saw significant investment in infrastructure in 2025, with further developments taking place in the year ahead. The OVO Hydro has delivered a range of upgrades designed to enhance the overall guest experience, including the permanently installed Evolv security screening system outside the arena, complete with covered Showblock units. This is already improving entry speed and efficiency, with ticket scanning set to relocate to the same area in the next phase.
Eleven retail outlets have been refurbished to improve service speed and flow, while accessible seating has been enhanced with improved sightlines, charging points, and upcoming in-seat food and beverage service, reinforcing the venue’s commitment to inclusivity and world-class live entertainment.
The 2024/25 results were announced today by SEC CEO Dominic McKay, who was appointed in January 2025 and officially began work in May 2025.
“It was a privilege to be appointed CEO of SEC in early 2025, joining a business I have spent many years visiting and that I have grown up alongside, living in Glasgow and the west of Scotland,” said Dominic.
“I am particularly proud to join at a time where there are clear ambitions for the future, and undeniable scope for further growth.
“The 2024/25 financial year was a strong period for SEC with over two million visitors to our campus. The whole team, led by a committed Executive, deserves great credit for an excellent set of results, both in terms of finance and number of visitors.
“Our turnover for the year to the end of March 2025 grew 30% year on year to £54.4 million. Meanwhile, operating profits rose to £4.1 million. This growth was driven by a higher volume of events across all sectors and by attracting more than two million visitors to the campus.”
Highlights within the Year in Review include:
- The SEC’s conference business delivered a record £11m in turnover and 62% year-on-year growth, reflecting strong market confidence and sustained demand for complex, high-profile conferences.
- The SEC’s exhibitions programme delivered £3.5m in turnover and 60% year-on-year growth, underpinned by strong repeat business and the success of large-scale immersive and experience-led exhibitions, including the Van Gogh Immersive Experience, the Titanic Exhibition and HYROX.
- QD Events delivered high-profile, high-footfall consumer events, with flagship shows attracting strong audiences and exhibitor demand and reinforcing the SEC’s position as a year-round destination.
- Live entertainment at the SEC delivered £15.6m in turnover and 30% year-on-year growth, reflecting sustained demand and reinforcing Glasgow’s position as a leading global destination for live events.
- Commercial performance at the SEC delivered £7.4m in turnover and 16% year-on-year growth, driven by strategic partnerships and strong demand for premium, experience-led hospitality.
Dominic continued: “Most pleasing of all, is that as we continue to scale our business, we’re generating fantastic economic value for Scotland and the people that live here. In 2024/25 we generated £557 million in economic value for Glasgow, and with further growth, we will deliver even greater economic benefit to Glasgow and Scotland, making this figure a vital success metric within our strategy.
“The SEC is in great shape. 2025 was a brilliant year for the Campus, with a strong financial performance and continued growth across live entertainment, conferences and events. Looking ahead, 2026 is shaping up to be our most successful year yet, as we prepare to welcome world-class events including the Commonwealth Games and major artists such as Richard Ashcroft.
“We’re also ensuring the Campus continues to evolve and develop to deliver even greater value and enhance our position as a world-class, innovative international suite of venues.”
