Little Lion Entertainment, a leading immersive attractions company and the creator of the successful Crystal Maze Live Experiences, Chaos Karts and Pac-Man Live Experience, has announced it will open three new Arcade Arenas across the UK in the next 12 months, with a substantial new funding package from HSBC UK. This will include a flagship in central London.
Known for pushing the boundaries of live gaming, Little Lion’s Arcade Arena format blends real-world challenge with gaming spectacle, a genre it has effectively pioneered with its fusion of game design, theatre and high-concept storytelling.
Funding is a “vote of confidence”
The multi-million-pound loan facility from HSBC is enabling Little Lion to accelerate its UK expansion plans. Two of the new Arcade Arenas will be based in London, with one in West London, set to open later in 2025, and a flagship site scheduled to open in 2026 in a prime central location. A third venue is planned for Northern England.
“This funding is a huge vote of confidence in both our vision and the next stage of our journey,” says Tom Lionetti-Maguire, founder and CEO of Little Lion Entertainment.
“With the backing of HSBC UK, we’re supercharging our ability to create jaw-dropping, genre-busting experiences that continue to thrill and delight audiences across the globe.”
George Raven, relationship director at HSBC UK, adds: “Little Lion Entertainment continues to break new ground in immersive entertainment. We’re proud to support the team’s next phase of growth as they bring their bold, creative experiences to even more locations across the UK.”
Game innovation on the horizon
The expansion isn’t just about bricks and mortar, it’s also fuelling an acceleration in the company’s research and development programme.
Little Lion is currently developing two brand-new live game experiences specifically for the Arcade Arena platform and aims to announce both titles within the next six months. Following the success of the Pac-Man Live Experience, launched in collaboration with Bandai Namco Entertainment, and the high-octane Chaos Karts, expectations are understandably high.
“Our upcoming games are going to be out of this world!” says Lionetti-Maguire. “We cannot wait for people to see what we have in store!”
While no details have yet been released, industry insiders suggest that Little Lion’s ability to blend nostalgia, IP partnerships and cutting-edge tech will continue to set the tone for what live entertainment looks like in the coming decade.
Additionally, the company has teased that it has more announcements on the way.
Lionetti-Maguire adds: “This is more than expansion; it’s ignition. We’re proud to be creating new opportunities, new formats, and new magic for audiences. It’s an incredibly exciting time for Little Lion, but also for the immersive entertainment industry as a whole.
“We’re just getting started.”
