Northern region about to hold sporting events (5)
I believe the answer is:
arena
'hold sporting events' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both man-made objects as well as being singular nouns.
Maybe they are linked in a way I don't understand?
'northern region about' is the wordplay.
'northern' becomes 'n' (abbreviation e.g. N. Ireland).
'region' becomes 'area' (area is a kind of region).
'about' is an insertion indicator.
'n' going inside 'area' is 'ARENA'.
'to' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for arena that I've seen before include "Battleground" , "Venue for boxing, circus and other action events" , "Performance venue" , "Cheap Prom tickets" , "Gladiatorial ring" .)