Glasgow SEC reveals plans for major riverside expansion
Plans have been published for a major expansion of Glasgow’s Scottish Event Campus (SEC), with 64 acres of waterfront land identified for a new mixed-use district beside the River Clyde.
The Destination SEC (D-SEC) concept was highlighted by Invest Glasgow as part of its 2026 development portfolio. The land involved represents around 60% of the existing campus footprint, much of which is used for surface parking.
The early proposals, developed by Holmes Miller, show new residential and commercial buildings, shops and bars, riverside public space, an outdoor performance area, and a new bridge link towards Finnieston.
No planning application had been submitted when the proposals were reported on 10 September, meaning the scheme remains at an early stage.
A broader district around the SEC
The SEC already includes the SEC Centre, SEC Armadillo, and OVO Hydro. Destination SEC would extend the site beyond its core events role by introducing more places to live, work, eat, and spend time throughout the year.
More detailed plans reported for the site include a 10,000-capacity outdoor venue, a new indoor events space for up to 5,000 people, additional conference and exhibition capacity, a hotel, offices, and residential development.
A replacement is also proposed for the ageing pedestrian connection over the Clydeside Expressway. The wider project is expected to be delivered in phases over more than a decade, with private investment providing much of the funding. The SEC is also targeting at least another 500,000 visitors a year.
SEC builds from strong visitor numbers
The expansion plans follow a strong financial year for the campus.
In 2024/25, the SEC welcomed more than two million visitors and reported £557 million in economic value for Glasgow and Scotland. Turnover increased 30% year on year to £54.4 million, while operating profit reached £4.1 million.
Its conference business generated a record £11 million in turnover, up 62%, giving the SEC a clear commercial reason to increase its capacity for large events and conferences.
For businesses across Glasgow, further growth at the campus could increase demand for hotels, restaurants, transport, retail, suppliers, and other services. New offices and commercial space would also create activity around the site outside major event days.
What happens next?
Destination SEC remains a development proposal rather than a construction project. Detailed planning, investment partners, funding, and phasing will determine how much of the masterplan is ultimately delivered.
If it progresses, the project would turn one of Glasgow’s best-known event sites into a much larger riverside district, with the SEC remaining at its centre.