The Sage is a forthcoming indoor arena and conference centre in Gateshead, United Kingdom due to open in phases between 2025 and 2027. The site is located between The Glasshouse and BALTIC centres on Gateshead Quayside.

The arena is being built to replace the nearby 11,000 capacity Utilita Arena Newcastle that was originally opened in 1995.

Name and history

The venue is named for The Sage Group, a British multinational enterprise software company based in Newcastle upon Tyne, who agreed a £10 million deal for the naming rights. As of 2022 the Sage Group are currently patrons of the next-door Sage Gateshead venue which announced that they will be finding a new name for the 2004 building, which is now The Glasshouse International Centre for Music.

Gateshead Council announced plans to redevelop the vacant site in 2014 and at that time the aim was for a mixed use development. The development is likely to cost in excess of £350 million. Preparatory works on the site began in late 2021. £20 million was secured from the UK Government's Levelling Up Fund in 2023. Construction work is expected to start in Spring 2024.

HOK are the architects of the complex and it is a joint venture between developer Ask Real Estate and investment manager Patrizia AG. The 54,500 square metres (587,000 sq ft) complex will be operated by ASM Global who currently operate the nearby Utilita Arena Newcastle. The conference centre is due to open in 2025 with the arena following in 2027.

Facilities

The site will have two hotels run by the Accor group, an ibis and Novotel, with a total of over 300 rooms.

The Sage Arena will have a capacity of 12,500 and will also have outdoor performance spaces, bars, restaurants and retail outlets. The 6,320 square metres (68,000 sq ft) conference and event space will include 17 conference suites and 2,520 square metres (27,100 sq ft) of adaptable meeting space.

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  The East entrance of the existing Sage Gateshead building will open into The Sage.
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  The Sage will be located in the current vacant space between Sage Gateshead and Baltic (both pictured).
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  Sage development site between Glasshouse concert halls and Baltic art centre, as seen from the Baltic in 2024.