When your event needs to make a big impact with 1,000+ attendees, London delivers. The city offers a range of large-scale venues equipped for conferences, exhibitions, and international summits — combining capacity with world-class facilities, strong transport links, and robust technology.
1. ExCeL London, Royal Docks
Capacity: Up to 68,750 (various configurations)
London’s largest exhibition and conference centre, ExCeL offers versatile spaces for everything from major conferences (1,000+ in ICC Auditorium) to enormous trade shows. It’s highly flexible, with breakout rooms, halls, and a dedicated ICC London section with cutting-edge AV and production facilities.
2. The O2 Arena, Greenwich
Capacity: Up to 20,000 (arena)
While famed for entertainment, The O2 is also a corporate powerhouse. The arena can transform into a conference space for 1,000+ delegates or more, with breakout and VIP areas within the complex, and access to InterContinental London – The O2 for additional conference and meeting facilities.
3. QEII Centre, Westminster
Capacity: Up to 1,300 in total, 700 in one room
The QEII Centre accommodates up to 1,300 delegates across multiple spaces and 700 theatre-style in its largest room. For conferences that combine plenary sessions with extensive breakouts, it remains a top choice in the heart of Westminster.
4. Alexandra Palace, North London
Capacity: Up to 10,250 total, 3,000 theatre-style (Great Hall)
Known as “Ally Pally,” this iconic venue blends historic character with flexibility. The Great Hall hosts up to 3,000 theatre-style, perfect for conferences, product launches, and large corporate events. Extensive exhibition space and panoramic London views add extra appeal.
5. Central Hall Westminster
Capacity: 2,400 theatre-style (Great Hall)
A grand, historic venue opposite Westminster Abbey, Central Hall Westminster is a popular choice for major summits, AGMs, and international gatherings. Its Great Hall seats up to 2,400 delegates theatre-style, with breakout options and excellent AV infrastructure.
6. Business Design Centre, Islington
Capacity: Up to 2,000 (main hall & conference centre combined)
This historic venue offers flexibility for large conferences and exhibitions with a contemporary edge. Its main spaces combine to accommodate up to 2,000 delegates, with strong transport links and plentiful breakout areas.
7. InterContinental London – The O2, Greenwich
Capacity: Up to 3,000 (Arora Ballroom)
For corporate events requiring a luxurious setting, the InterContinental London – The O2 offers one of the largest hotel conference spaces in Europe. The Arora Ballroom seats up to 3,000 theatre-style, making it ideal for large-scale conferences and awards ceremonies.
8. Evolution London, Battersea Park
Capacity: Up to 4,000
A purpose-built blank canvas venue in Battersea Park, Evolution London hosts conferences, exhibitions, and large corporate events for up to 4,000 delegates. Its flexibility and capacity make it ideal for bespoke, high-impact productions.
🔍 Comparison at a Glance
| Venue | Max Capacity | Highlights | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| ExCeL London | 68,750 total | Flexible, ICC London, global-scale events | Royal Docks |
| The O2 Arena | 20,000 arena | Iconic, adaptable for conferences | Greenwich |
| QEII Centre | 1,300 total | Central Westminster, flexible breakout spaces | Westminster |
| Alexandra Palace | 3,000 theatre | Historic, scenic, versatile | North London |
| Central Hall Westminster | 2,400 theatre | Grand architecture, central | Westminster |
| Business Design Centre | 2,000 combined | Character venue, City fringe, flexible layout | Islington |
| InterContinental London – O2 | 3,000 ballroom | Luxury, connected to The O2, versatile | Greenwich |
| Evolution London | 4,000 | Purpose-built, blank canvas, large capacity | Battersea Park |
✅ Why Choose 1000+ Capacity Venues?
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Scale: Designed for impact — perfect for international conferences, trade shows, and global summits.
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Infrastructure: Professional-grade AV, staging, catering, and logistics support large-scale attendance.
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Prestige: Many of these venues are iconic London landmarks or industry-leading spaces.
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Flexibility: Most offer adaptable configurations for plenary sessions, exhibitions, breakout meetings, and receptions.
💡 Considerations When Booking Large-Scale Venues
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Transport Links: Ensure ease of access for local, national, and international delegates.
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Accommodation Proximity: On-site or nearby hotels are often critical for multi-day events.
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Production Support: Large venues often require professional AV and event production teams.
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Branding Opportunities: These spaces allow significant flexibility for customisation and sponsorship visibility.
🎯 Final Thoughts
London excels at hosting 1,000+ delegate conferences thanks to its range of versatile, well-connected venues. Whether you need a blank canvas, a historic auditorium, or an arena-sized impact, the city’s offering guarantees scale, sophistication, and world-class facilities.
