Acer Arena in World Top Three

US music magazine Billboard has ranked Sydney's Acer Arena number three in its Mid Year Charts issue.

Compiled from box office returns from mid November to mid May show, the Chart shows that concert arenas enjoyed good business in this period.

Acer Arenaâs were realised with performances from Elton John, Hi-5, Bon Jovi, Hilary Duff, Iron Maiden, Backstreet Boys, Rod Stewart, Brooks & Dunn, Ozzy Osbourne, Kiss, Maroon 5, Celine Dion, Disney's High School Musical and the Foo Fighters.

The Sydney Olympic Park venue was in elite company with AEG's O2 Arena in London the global leader and New York's Madison Square Garden filling the number two position.

Consistently featuring in the Top 10 arenas since 2005, Acer Arena is now a regular concert stop for major touring artists.

Acer Arena General Manager David Humphreys commented "the ranking confirms our position in the arena market and we are proud of our place on the world stage.

"Looking to the future it is as bright as one would hope.

"We have confirmed concert dates from Andrea Bocelli, Stevie Wonder, John Mellencamp/Sheryl Crow, Billy Joel, Panic at the Disco, Italian pop sensation Eros Ramazzotti, Judas Priest, Hi-5, Slipknot, Dora the Explorer, Def Leppard/Cheap Trick & Jumpmania (Monster Trucks) all before the end of the year, and there is more to be announced."

Billboard reported that the Acer Arena ranking resulted from a total gross in the period of US$27.9 million drawing 312,790 fans over 35 shows. Of the other venues in the Top 10 five were from the USA., two from Canada and two from England.

Acer Arena is owned by the NSW Government and the lease is owned by PBL Media. The Arena is managed by Brisbane-based AEG Ogden in a 50/50 arrangement with Los Angeles based AEG (who also manage London's O2 Arena).