Van Morrison is set to make history this autumn as he becomes the first artist to stage a residency at the brand‑new British Airways ARC venue at Olympia London.
The legendary musician will take over the space for five nights on September 23, 24, 27, 28, and 29, 2026, marking a major milestone for both the venue and one of the most enduring figures in British music.
The British Airways ARC opens its doors on June 16 as a new home for live music and large‑scale events.
All five shows will be fully seated, offering fans an intimate setting to experience one of the most distinctive voices in music.
Tickets go on sale at 9am on Friday (15.05.26) available through ticketline.co.uk or directly from the venue.
Lucy Noble, SVP UK Venues at AEG Presents, commented: “We are thrilled to welcome Van Morrison as the very first artist to have a residency at our brand-new venue. The shows are set to be incredible.”
The announcement arrives just weeks after Van received a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Jazz FM Awards 2026, adding another accolade to a career that has shaped generations of musicians. His influence continues to stretch across genres, from jazz and blues to folk and soul, and his live performances remain a major draw for audiences around the world.
Van has also recently released a new album, Somebody Tried To Sell Me A Bridge, a return to the blues with bold new interpretations of songs by B.B. King, Buddy Guy, Lead Belly and others.
On top of the London residency, Van is scheduled to appear at several major European festivals in 2026, including the world‑renowned Montreux Jazz Festival.
Meanwhile, Van recently admitted he would “probably not” be performing today, were it not for his father’s music collection.
Crediting an early immersion in jazz with shaping a career that has spanned decades, the 80-year-old singer spoke about his enduring influences and creative process while reflecting on how his upbringing in his native Belfast informed his approach to music.
Van’s dad, an electrician at the Harland and Wolff shipyard, played jazz records “day in and day out”, exposing him to a sound that would underpin his blend of soul, blues and folk.
Asked if he would be performing today if it was not for his father’s record collection, he told The Times: “Probably not. That was a huge influence. I was hearing jazz when I was a very young kid.
“My father played jazz records day in and day out. Skiffle came out of jazz, blues came out of jazz, so it was interconnected.”
Van also described the experience of performing live as a form of improvisation.
He added: “If everything’s coming together I can take off and they can follow me.”