The revolutionary concert experience ABBA Voyage, which features lifelike holograms of the legendary Swedish pop group, has become a major success in London. Now, Munich could be next in line to host the virtual spectacle.

Clemens Baumgärtner, Munich’s former head of economic affairs, had long aimed to bring global stars like Taylor Swift, Adele and AC/DC to the Bavarian capital. During his tenure, he also initiated talks to secure another cultural milestone for the city — bringing ABBA Voyage to Munich.

Although the original band won’t appear in person, the show features digital avatars — known as “ABBAtars” — that replicate ABBA’s appearance and performance style from 1979. These virtual figures perform with an astonishing level of realism, thanks to advanced motion-capture and performance technology developed by George Lucas’ renowned special effects company, best known for Star Wars and Indiana Jones.

To create these digital doubles, the band members wore motion-capture suits and were filmed over five weeks performing a set of 22 songs. Around 160 specialised cameras captured every detail. The vocals were re-recorded by Agnetha, Björn, Benny and Anni-Frid in a Swedish studio specifically for the show, and are played back during the performance. A live band on stage provides the musical backing, creating a hybrid experience that blends digital precision with real-time energy.

London Success Fuels Global Expansion Plans

Since its premiere on 27 May 2022, ABBA Voyage has been staged at the purpose-built ABBA Arena near London’s Pudding Mill Lane DLR station. With a capacity of 3,000 spectators, the venue hosts daily evening performances and weekly matinées, with shows currently scheduled until January 2026. According to producers, the show welcomed one million visitors in its first year alone.

Given its remarkable reception, there are growing ambitions to expand the show to new cities. Reports suggest discussions are ongoing with major urban centres in Australia, while interest in continental Europe is also increasing.

Germany in Focus — Munich Among Leading Candidates

This is where Germany comes into play. Organisers are actively scouting locations for a new arena, intended to serve as a long-term venue over a period of 10 to 20 years. Munich is considered a serious contender, although other German cities are also reportedly in the running.

In Munich, one proposed site is a plot in the city’s northern district owned by Hans Hammer AG. The Werksviertel area was initially considered, but ultimately deemed too small to accommodate the scale of the planned arena. According to a well-placed source, “We have a strong chance of bringing the show to Munich.”

Should the plans move forward, ABBA Voyage would mark a major cultural addition to Munich’s entertainment landscape, blending iconic music with state-of-the-art technology to create an immersive experience for fans across generations.