Two ABBA stars visited east London to help launch a new education programme giving young people a gateway into the creative industries.
Benny Andersson and Anni-Frid Lyngstad joined nearly 3,000 children for a Q&A session in what was a rare public appearance.
The long-term initiative, launched by ABBA Voyage in partnership with the London Legacy Development Corporation (LLDC), was unveiled at the ABBA Arena in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park on June 3.
The scheme aims to inspire and equip the next generation with the skills, experience, and networks needed to pursue careers in the creative sector.
Building on outreach efforts since the show’s 2022 launch, the programme has already engaged more than 8,500 young people across Newham, Hackney, Tower Hamlets, and Waltham Forest.
In a joint statement, the members of ABBA said: "Music has an incredible ability to stimulate creativity and confidence in young people.
"We hope this programme helps inspire young people to be curious about the world of performing arts and what they can achieve in the future. We feel privileged that ABBA Voyage can play a part in that journey."
Thousands have taken part in school concerts, career workshops, skills development schemes, and other opportunities designed to broaden access to the creative sector.
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Craig Hartenstine, Group CEO for ABBA Voyage, said: "Since ABBA Voyage opened in east London, we've been committed to creating meaningful opportunities for the communities around us.
"This programme is about much more than introducing young people to the creative industries. It's about helping them build the skills and confidence that can lead to real opportunities in the future.
"We're proud of what has already been achieved alongside our partners, and excited to deepen that impact through new mentoring, training and employment pathways in the years ahead."
The expanded programme will introduce additional opportunities in 2026, including a fully sponsored Autumn School, a mentoring scheme linking young people with creative professionals across Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, and new apprenticeships in live events and technical production. It will also introduce a freelance charter to support fairer, more transparent and more sustainable working practices across the creative sector.
Shazia Hussain, chief executive of the LLDC, said: "Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park brings together a unique combination of cultural, commercial, educational and community assets.
"Our focus is on leveraging these to create opportunities for local people, support inclusive growth and strengthen the innovation and creative economy of east London.
"The next chapter of our partnership with ABBA Voyage reflects this ambition.
"By connecting young east Londoners with one of the world’s most innovative live entertainment experiences, the programme will help transform early inspiration into tangible career pathways. It shows what is possible when industry leaders, civic partners and local communities come together to unlock opportunity and nurture the next generation of creative talent."
Existing initiatives under the education programme include twice-yearly school concerts for state pupils, summer and autumn career pathways schools for 15 to 17-year-olds, careers workshops during East Careers Week, and subsidised young persons ticketing schemes designed to improve access to live music experiences.
At least half of ABBA Voyage's workforce is sourced from the surrounding area, and the show is now booking until January 2027.
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