On 26 September 2016, Metallica announced via their blog that they will be "the first event ever held" at the new arena. Their shows are scheduled for the first week of February 2017. The Weeknd performed at the arena as part of his on 20 February 2017. The 2017 European Short Course Swimming Championships will be the first major sporting event in the arena, which will have a capacity of circa 12,500. The arena was one of two arenas (the other being Jyske Bank Boxen) to host the 2018 IIHF World Championship. The Royal Arena will be one of eight venues in Denmark and Germany to host the 2019 World Men's Handball Championship. It was also used for the 2018 Spring European "League of Legends" Championship Series third-place decider and finals on April 7, 2018, and April 8, 2018, respectively. On September 28, 2019, the arena hosted Denmark's first UFC event, . It was announced that the Royal Arena would host the 2021 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships from 18 October to 24 October 2021. It will be one of eleven venues in Croatia, Denmark and Norway for the 2025 World Men's Handball Championship.