[Sam:)]

Simon Cowell has revealed there will be changes made to the final and semi-final of The X Factor this year, prompting specualtion they could be staged at a bigger venue.
Although Simon will not be judging this year’s series, he will still remain a key figurehead behind the scenes, and has promised “very exciting” changes to the show’s format in the final weeks of competition.
The comments were made at the launch of his new ITV gameshow Red Or Black, but Cowell refused to confirm whether this meant moving the show to a location with a larger capacity. The live shows are currently held at Fountain Studios in Wembley with a capacity of 800 people, considerably less than thousands who pack out venues around the country for the audition stages.
The American Idol finale has always been broadcast from a bigger venue, which since 2008 has been at the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles with a capacity of 7,000.

from x factor central

I would love to see the final live at the o2.

[\PJ/]

This change was mentioned a few years ago but they ruled it out due to a small crew and the shows budget, but since then the show has grown and it's most probably going to be at wembley because applause store (the people who deal with tickets for the show) launched a competition on there facebook page a while ago and the winner gets tickets to the live X Factor final at Wembely in December, I wish I still had the email.

[Glenn.]

I've wondered why the audition crowds are much bigger than the live shows.

[Patrick]

Another thing that's changing this year, eh?

This series will be the biggest fail X Factor has ever seen since 2007, mark my words.
X Factor is dieing out, just like American Idol & Britain's Got Talent.

Talent Shows are so last decade, they aren't welcomed in the Teenies or whatever the hell we're calling this decade.

[\PJ/]

Patrick you couldn't be more wrong, the X Factor ECT get on average a good stable 10m and ok Simon and Cheryl may not be taking part in the XF this year and simon hasn't been on the BGT panel but the viewing figures are still what any channel die for. No Simon hasn't really impacted BGT that much and with Simon and Cheryl not being part of XF this year I can only see viewing figures drop by about 1m.

The BBUK franchise is dangling by a thread now and this whole CH5 reboot fingers crossed rubbish we are only going see viewing figures drop from about 2m (what they were on CH4) to around 900k it's not going to be good and that is what you call a fail.

[Callum]

Now confirmed that the final will take place at Wembley Arena:

The X Factor 2011 final is to be held at Wembley Arena.

The last stage of the singing competition will take place at the London venue for the first time.

Sponsor TalkTalk confirmed the news on its official Facebook page for the event and revealed that it will give away 100 tickets for the final every day for 100 days from next Tuesday morning.

Jana Gray of FremantleMedia Enterprises said: "We are thrilled to be continuing our relationship with TalkTalk and looking forward to a fantastic finale at Wembley."

Mark Brittain, head of commercial at Syco, added: "I am delighted that TalkTalk are returning for series eight of The X Factor, which with our fresh new panel promises to be an appointment to view."

This morning, show producers dismissed reports that contestants would have 24-hour access to alcohol during Boot Camp on the show.

The new series of The X Factor begins on Saturday at 8pm on ITV1.

[Lewis.]

can't wait for this!