Sports: Volleyball

From exhibitions and conferences to live music, Earls Court holds hundreds of events each year attended by visitors from around the world.

The venue already has a great Olympic history after hosting some of the Boxing, Gymnastics, Weightlifting and Wrestling competitions at the 1948 Games.

The design and build

Before its construction, Earls Court was largely a waste ground. The idea of introducing entertainment to the site was brought about by an entrepreneur called John Robinson Whitley, who used the land as a show ground for many years.

In the late 19th century the site was home to Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show and a huge observation wheel, among other things.

In 1935 the land was sold and the new owners decided to construct a show centre to rival any other in the world and to dominate the nearby Olympia exhibition hall. The plan was to create Europe's largest structure by volume.

Earls Court opened in 1937 when it hosted the Chocolate and Confectionery Exhibition. When it opened, it provided an unprecedented 40,000 square metres of exhibition space.

Nowadays, Earls Court hosts many shows and exhibitions throughout the year. For the London 2012 Olympic Games, a purpose-built volleyball court will be installed within the arena, along with temporary seating.

After the Games

The venue will remain one of London's best exhibition and event spaces.