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AO Arena

• Theatre and Live Performance venues
• Theatre and Live Performance venues

Overview

The AO Arena Manchester, managed and operated by Legends Global, is one of the busiest venues in the world and the largest indoor sporting arena in Europe. Opened in 1995, it has hosted some of the biggest names in live entertainment including U2, The Rolling Stones, Prince, Madonna, Lady Gaga, Pavarotti and the record-breaking residency by local comedian Peter Kay. Big UK sporting events at the Arena have included the 2002 Commonwealth Games', 2012 Olympic basketball warm up matches between team USA and GB, the 2008 FINA World Swimming Championships and international boxing matches including Mike Tyson, David Haye, Joe Calzaghe plus local champions Ricky Hatton, Amir Khan and Anthony Crolla, Showcasing Manchester's rich musical heritage bands like Take That, Oasis, Elbow, New Order, James, Happy Mondays, The Charlatans, Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds, M People, Doves, Inspiral Carpets, The Verve, Simply Red and The Courteeners have also hit the famous stage. Attracting over one million visitors each year, the 23,000 capacity Arena is a proud winner of the Outstanding Contribution to Music Award at This is Manchester Awards 2025, as well as being voted the City's Most-Loved Event Venue at I Love Manchester Awards, 2025. In 2020, North-West based online electricals retailer AO became the Arena's first headline sponsor amplifying the guest experience with surprise and delight activations on the concourse.

Contact details

AO Arena Victoria Station, Hunts Bank Manchester Greater Manchester North West M3 1AR GB

https://www.ao-arena.com/plan-your-visit/accessibility

contactus@ao-arena.com

Access guidance

• If you experience difficulty with queuing due to your access requirements, the City Rooms entrance offers an accessible lane and dedicated accessibility door. Our staff are on hand to support guests using this route, which is designed to provide a smoother and more efficient entry process. Please note that use of the accessible lane does not permit early entry. In line with safety procedures, the accessible door will open at the same time as general admission. If you require any assistance in advance, please contact us at contactus@ao-arena.com. Alternatively, you can speak to a member of staff on arrival, who will be happy to help.
• House wheelchairs are available from Guest Services (opposite block 101). If you require any assistance, please speak to a steward who can help. Wheelchairs can be used within the Arena itself to assist customers around the concourse to their seating location and back to the venue doors. Please note our venue wheelchairs can only be used within the Arena and cannot be taken outside. Unfortunately they are not able to remain with the customer for the duration of the show as we may need them to help other customers.
• If you experience difficulty with queuing due to your access requirements, the City Rooms entrance offers an accessible lane and dedicated accessibility door. Our staff are on hand to support guests using this route, which is designed to provide a smoother and more efficient entry process. During the event if you feel like you're struggling with the crowds or the noise, you can speak to a steward or our Guest Services desk to request a quiet space. Please note that use of the accessible lane does not permit early entry. In line with safety procedures, the accessible door will open at the same time as general admission. If you require any assistance in advance, please contact us at contactus@ao-arena.com. Alternatively, you can speak to a member of staff on arrival, who will be happy to help.
• We have 2 fully accessible entrance points via Victoria station (Entrance C) and Trinity Tunnel (Entrance T). Getting from Victoria Station to City Room entrance Please have your ticket ready for entry to the arena. From within Victoria Station, take the lift located to the right-hand side of the stairs. This lift goes to bridge level, which connects directly to the City Rooms entrance at the arena. The maximum distance from Victoria Station to the entrance is approximately 180 metres. A fully signposted accessible route and entrance are available. If you require any assistance, please speak to one of our stewards, who will be happy to help direct you. This entrance provides the closest access to both the accessible platforms and tiered seating. From here, you can access the tiered seating and accessible platforms, and you may also walk down through Tier 1 to reach the standing area if you wish. Access via Trinity Tunnel Guests with tickets for the event floor or mezzanine level should enter the arena via Trinity Tunnel, located on Trinity Way. From this entrance, there is lift access down to the event floor, as well as escalators for those able to use them. Access via CitiPark Guests arriving by car and parking at CitiPark should exit the car park through the Evolv scanners. From there, lift access is available up to Entrance C, which leads directly to the accessible lane.
• House wheelchairs are available from Guest Services (opposite block 101). If you require any assistance, please speak to a steward who can help. Wheelchairs can be used within the Arena itself to assist customers around the concourse to their seating location and back to the venue doors. Please note our venue wheelchairs can only be used within the Arena and cannot be taken outside. Unfortunately they are not able to remain with the customer for the duration of the show as we may need them to help other customers. CitiPark operate our on-site car park. Blue Badge Bays cannot be specifically booked and are on a first come first served basis. If there are spaces available, an attendant will direct guests upon presenting their blue badge. There are 40 Blue Badge parking bays. We advise anyone with mobility issues to arrive as early as possible and use either the onsite car park or the Shudehill Interchange NCP. You can pre-book your standard parking space in advance to guarantee your space on the lower floors of the car park and ensure a speedy entry and exit from the car park.
• Toilets are located near to Blocks 108/109 & Blocks 116, 120 & 119. This is including accessible toilets within the male and female toilet, as well as all-gender toilets, and separate radar key toilets if required. There is also a changing place toilet in operation near to block 110, please speak to a steward if you need help in locating this.
• ADUK registered assistance dogs are welcome at the AO Arena. We also welcome other trained assistance dogs. In this case, as we would not have a registration document to demonstrate the dog’s level of training, we need to ask that you confirm the following. In order that we can allow them entry to an event, you must be able to guarantee that your dog complies with the following: is able to sit quietly without being distracted by the usual noise and bustle of an event. is trained not to toilet anywhere inside the venue. Staff will not be responsible for picking up after your dog if they are taking care of them during an event. will not jump on or approach any other members of the public must be clearly marked – by lead, harness or coat – as an assistance dog. The Equality and Human Rights Commission states that ‘Assistance Dogs’ are highly trained. This means that they: - will not wander freely around the premises - will sit or lie quietly on the floor next to their owner - are unlikely to foul in a public place If your dog does not comply with these points, we may ask you to take it out of the venue. Please contact us at least two working days before the event you are attending so that we can make arrangements for your comfort and safety during your visit. The dog can either accompany you into the auditorium, if you have appropriate seating booked, or venue staff will willingly look after your dog whilst you enjoy the event. We can provide a water bowl and blanket for your dog if required. It is possible that we may need to find an alternative seat for you if your seat is not appropriate for your dog to sit with you. In any event, we will discuss the best options for you and your dog. Please note, pet dogs are not permitted into the venue.
• Please note Personal Assistant/Companion tickets must be purchased at the time of booking and cannot be added on or exchanged after a booking is made. A complimentary Personal Assistant ticket is available at AO Arena’s discretion to those who need assistance from another person in order to move around safely within the venue. Personal assistant tickets are available via the venue's official ticketing partner, Ticketmaster. Personal Assistants must be able to assist the person they are attending with to leave the building in an emergency. They are expected attend to the customer in a responsible manner at all times and be able to meet the customer’s access requirements at all times during the event. Accessible tickets for events at AO Arena are now sold via Ticketmaster. Accessible seating options can be booked directly through the Ticketmaster interactive seat map, where you can view and select available accessible tickets using the relevant filters or icons. Available ticket types may include wheelchair accessible spaces, low mobility seating, and other access provisions depending on the event. Availability and layout can vary as these are determined by the event promoter and production. If accessible tickets are not visible, they may be sold out or released at a later date. In these cases, we recommend checking back regularly or contacting Ticketmaster for further assistance. If you require a companion to attend with you, you may be eligible for a companion ticket when booking accessible tickets, you will just need to provide supporting documentation. A companion ticket is provided where a customer requires ongoing assistance during their visit. Companions should be available to support the customer with their individual access needs before, during and after the event. This may include (but is not limited to): - An Access Card (showing the +1 symbol where a companion is required) - Disability Living Allowance (DLA) or Personal Independence Payment (PIP) documentation - Attendance Allowance letter - Blue Badge - Signed letter from a medical professional - Any other relevant supporting documentation of access requirements Failure to provide valid supporting documentation where requested may result in tickets being cancelled or entry being refused If you are unsure what documentation is acceptable, we recommend contacting Ticketmaster Fan Support or the AO Arena Accessibility Team in advance of booking. Applications are reviewed on a case by case basis. If you do not have any of these documents please contact contactus@ao-arena.com and we can any other supporting documentation for you.
• Audio-described performances are available. Please let us know if you would like to book tickets for these performances.
• We have an induction loop in the main auditorium which covers seating area 114, and Accessible Platforms 108, 109. To connect you will need to switch your device into the T position. If you have difficulty connecting, please speak to the nearest steward and they can report issues for you. BSL & Assisted Performance Should you require a BSL interpreter or an assisted performance – please contact our team via contactus@ao-arena.com so they can assist you. Please contact us as soon as possible so we can assist with your request.
• If you have specific access requirements that are not met by the online booking process, or need support planning your visit, please contact the AO Arena Accessibility Team who will be happy to assist. contactus@ao-arena.com A Customer Service (Tickets and Info) desk located on our concourse next to the Hunts Bank entrance opposite block 101 should any customers require any further assistance once in the venue. We have a food and beverage policy that does not allow food and drink to be brought into the arena. However we can make allowances for medical circumstances. If you have specific dietary requirements please contact our Accessibility Team in advance of your visit for further advice.