ExCeL London, Exhibition and convention center in Custom House, Newham, London, United Kingdom.
ExCeL London is a convention center in Custom House, Newham, situated on a former dock site in east London. The complex features two parallel halls linked by a glass-roofed boulevard lined with shops and restaurants.
The building opened in November 2000, converting derelict land beside the Royal Victoria Dock into a modern venue. Twelve years later, it hosted seven Olympic sports including boxing, fencing, judo, taekwondo, table tennis, weightlifting, and wrestling.
The center sits beside the Royal Docks, where water views frame the approach to the main entrance. Inside, the name references both the nearby Custom House station and the building's purpose as a space for international gatherings.
The venue connects directly to two Docklands Light Railway stations and the Elizabeth line, making arrival straightforward from central London. The site covers a large area, so wear comfortable shoes if you plan to move between halls or explore the central boulevard.
In spring 2020, the halls became the NHS Nightingale Hospital, a temporary facility with thousands of beds set up for the pandemic. The transformation took just nine days, making it the largest emergency hospital in the country.
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