A front view of Earls Court
Where is it?: Warwick Road, West London.
How do you get there?: The quickest and best ways to reach Earls Court are by underground or bus. Transport for London runs eight bus services to the exhibition centre — the 74, 190, 328, 430, C1, C3, N31 and N74 — while Earls Court's underground station is served by two lines, the Piccadilly and District.
Capacity: 19,000.
What events will be held there and when?: Volleyball (July 28-August 12).
Olympic volleyball in Beijing in 2008
Public facilities: The venue is well served by places to eat and drink within the halls, but if those facilities are not to your liking, the local area is comprehensively stocked with restaurants, cafes and bars.
History: Earls Court has been an exhibition, conference and event centre since 1937, first opening its doors to the public for a chocolate and confectionery exhibition, with the Motor Show following soon afterwards. These were housed in what is now known as Earls Court One, which was built at a cost of £1.5 million.
The £100m Earls Court Two was added in 1991 and still boasts Europe's biggest unsupported roof span.
2012 mascot outside Earls Court 2
The venue has staged some memorable events — including 'The Winter Cavalcade' in 1938, which included a huge ski run stretching the length of the arena; pop music's Brit Awards, which were held there from 2000 to 2010; agriculture's Royal Smithfield Show; and the Royal Tournament.
Oasis star Liam Gallagher wins a Brit Award in 2010
Music has been a great part of Earls Court's history, either through grand opera orconcerts by world-famous pop stars and groups.
The venue was used at the 1948 Olympics, the second time the Games were staged in London. The first occasion was in 1908.
And sport has also featured at other times, in the shape of boxing, gymnastics, weightlifting and wrestling.
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