SWANSEA Building Society Arena has hosted some of the world’s biggest names in showbiz and during 2026 the venue will team up with the Wales Air Ambulance Charity to mark its 25th anniversary.
Since opening in 2022, almost a million people have passed through its doors, to see the likes of Bob Dylan, Manic Street Preachers and John Bishop on stage.
As part of their ongoing commitment to supporting charitable organisations, Swansea Building Society Arena’s team are drawing up a range of activities to help fundraise and raise awareness about the work of the Wales Air Ambulance in 2026, through bucket collections organised across a number of shows throughout the year, as well as team members taking part in the Heli Paws challenge and the Cardiff Half Marathon.
Matt Blackhouse, Venue Director of Swansea Building Society Arena said: “A big part of what we do is engaging with the local community and supporting charitable organisations, and when we were approached by Wales Air Ambulance, our team quickly decided that it’s a fantastic charity to support.
“What really struck our team was that it is purely funded by charitable donations from members of the public, costing £13 million to run, so we’re thrilled to be teaming up with them as one of our charity partners for 2026 to support the vital work that they do.”
The Wales Air Ambulance is consultant-led, taking hospital-standard treatments to the patient and if required, transferring them directly to the most appropriate hospital for their illness or injury.
It is delivered via a unique third sector and public sector partnership. The Wales Air Ambulance Charity relies on public donations to raise the £13 million required every year to keep the helicopters in the air and rapid response vehicles on the road.
The Emergency Medical Retrieval and Transfer Service (EMRTS) supplies highly skilled NHS consultants and critical care practitioners who work on board the Charity’s vehicles.
This advanced critical care includes the ability to administer anaesthesia, deliver blood transfusions and conduct minor operations, all at the scene of an incident.
As a pan-Wales service, its dedicated crews, regardless of where they are based, will travel the length and breadth of the country to deliver emergency lifesaving care.
With shows ranging from MAMMA MIA! and When Gavin Met Stacey in January 2026, to performances throughout the year from the likes of Strictly: The Professionals, Alfie Boe, Professor Brian Cox and more, the arena will host charity bucket collections across select shows throughout 2026 in support of Wales Air Ambulance.
Matt added: “With around 250,000 people coming through our doors each year at the Arena, there will be many whose lives will have been touched by this incredible service.
“That is why we feel as an organisation it is so important to support the charity, enabling not only our team of employees to show their support, but also extend this to our patrons too.
“None of us know if we’ll ever be in a position to need their services, so we’re keen to support their work throughout 2026, in which will be such a poignant year for with charity, with it being their 25th anniversary year.”
Wales Air Ambulance has Charity shops across Wales which sell donated clothing, homeware and furniture, helping raise funds for the lifesaving service.
Christian Sullivan, Regional Fundraising Manager for Wales Air Ambulance said: “Swansea Building Society Arena is such an iconic entertainment venue, attracting the biggest stars to South West Wales.
“We are hugely grateful to the whole of the team for supporting a year-long charity partnership with our lifesaving service as it marks its 25th anniversary in 2026.
“The arena team are a very passionate bunch, they’ve signed up for Heli Paws, secured charity places at Cardiff Half and they are only just getting started.
“This is an exciting partnership! Collaborations like this enable our crews to continue to do what they do each day across Wales. Every pound raised will help save lives!”
