SEC Glasgow at 40: Four decades of creating incredible

For four decades the Scottish Event Campus (SEC) has stood at the centre of Scotland’s cultural life, attracting world-class shows, artists, major events and conferences to Glasgow.

Article Source: Scottish Event Campus
Last Updated: 10 November 2025 12:41

In its 40 years the SEC has been central to the transformation of its home city and an area once renowned for shipbuilding and industry, adding two new landmarks to the Glasgow skyline in the form of the Armadillo and OVO Hydro.

Now, as part of the venue’s 40th birthday celebrations, a new video tells the SEC’s story, from inception and early years through to present day and shows the extent to which the surrounding area of the Clydeside has been transformed.

Dom McKay, Chief Executive of the Scottish Event Campus, said: “Reaching 40 years is an incredible milestone for the SEC, and it’s a moment to reflect on everything that has shaped this campus and allowed it to sit at the beating heart of not only Glasgow’s but Scotland’s cultural life.”

The foundations of the campus, which today extends from the edges of Glasgow’s city centre to the city’s west end, were laid following major works which saw the old yards cleared and the docks filled.

The campus ‘quickly found its rhythm’ and, beyond bringing major conferences and events to Scotland for the first time, world-renowned artists, including Luciano Pavarotti, were soon arriving in the city to make their Scottish bows.

As demand increased the Clyde Auditorium was built and quickly renamed ‘The SEC Armadillo’. Then, in September 2013, the 14,000 plus capacity OVO Hydro opened its doors, providing a fitting world class arena for world-renowned artists including Taylor Swift and homegrown superstars including Lewis Capaldi. The venue has also hosted major events including the 2014 MTV European Awards.

The video shows very varied life of the venue, with the SEC hosting the Commonwealth Games in 2014 and again in 2026, as well as other leading sporting events.

In 2020 and 2021, the SEC also ‘stopped for a moment’ to serve the local community and become NHS Louisa Jordan at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The film shows a venue embedded in Scottish life, central to the redevelopment of Glasgow and Scotland and helping to drive economic growth and shape the cultural and business landscape.

Dom continued: “Over the decades, we’ve had the privilege of hosting world-famous artists from Bono to Beyonce, international conferences like COP26, and spectacular events like the MTV Europe Music Awards and Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games, that have left a lasting mark on both the city and the people who visit. The OVO Hydro and SEC Armadillo have become not just venues, but recognised parts of the Glasgow skyline, and the SEC has played a central role in driving economic growth and revitalising the surrounding area. The campus has grown and evolved alongside the city itself.

“This 40th anniversary is also a celebration of the extraordinary stories that make the SEC unique, from unforgettable personal memories to more poignant moments, such as when we became NHS Louisa Jordan during the pandemic. We are asking the public to share those memories throughout our birthday year in the SEC40&Me campaign.

“The video we’ve released captures just some of the highlights, but more importantly, it reminds us of the community, creativity, and spirit that have always been at the heart of the SEC. We look forward to the next 40 years of creating incredible, here in Glasgow.”

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