THE SSE Hydro in Glasgow is the third most popular music venue in the world, beating others in New York and Los Angeles, according to a new list.

The venue scored highly due to ticket sales reaching around 535,000 so far this year, putting it behind only the O2 in London and the Phones 4U Arena in Manchester.

The 13,000-capacity venue, on the site of the Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre (SECC), opened last year and has hosted performances by Rod Stewart, Justin Timberlake, Katy Perry, Prince, Dolly Parton, Kings of Leon and Robbie Williams.

The ticket sale numbers were compiled by Pollstar, a trade publication for venues and tours, which has just published its "Top 100 Worldwide Arena Venues" rankings.

The Hydro, which will host gymnastics and netball during the Commonwealth Games, came ahead of the Ziggo Dome in Amsterdam, the Barclays Centre in New York and the Staples Centre in Los Angeles in the poll.

John Langford, director of live entertainment at the Hydro, said: "To have reached number three on the Pollstar rankings in less than a year since opening is incredible and demonstrates just how well the venue has been adopted by Scottish fans.

"Glasgow and the SSE Hydro are firmly established as major players in this exciting industry."

In just 10 months since opening, the Hydro has hosted 120 live performances and welcomed more than a million fans. Almost every major UK arena tour now makes its way through Glasgow. Lady Gaga, 5 Seconds of Summer, and Mrs Brown's Boys are all signed up for this year and next.

The venue is to host the 20th annual MTV Europe Music Awards in November, the fifth time the United Kingdom has hosted the event, and the second in Scotland, after Edinburgh in 2003.

It will also host the biggest debate in Scotland's history with every secondary school in Scotland invited to take part, on September 12.

victoria.brenan@eveningtimes.co.uk