Plans were approved yesterday
A proposed second phase in 2032/33 would extend HS2 to Manchester and Leeds, with high-speed trains also running to just outside Liverpool.
ACC Liverpool chief executive Bob Prattey told Event: "We support the government’s decision to give the go ahead to HS2 but would prefer not to wait two decades before it becomes a reality."
He described the line as "a fundamental aspect" of the future success of ACC Liverpool and the Liverpool region.
"Our transport network is a vital component to attracting new events to our venue and the feedback we continually receive is the perception of our distance from London," he said. "Although travel time is now two hours eight minutes, perceptions will not change until this is less than two hours."
Prattey added that Liverpool is at a disadvantage compared to other international event destinations: "The majority of our competitor venues in France, Spain, Germany and Italy all benefit from high speed rail connectivity."
Manchester Arena spokesperson Matt Ward said: "We welcome any improvements in connectivity to Manchester and look forward to the firm commitment to phase two of HS2 as soon as possible. Given the arena’s location above Victoria train station, to reap the full benefits of HS2 being extended, the existing proposals for the northern hub must also be accepted and implemented in full."
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