AO Arena Manchester
Victoria Station, Manchester, M3 1AR
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Public transport
If you're planning a trip to the arena - day or night - then you'll find public transport is the best way to travel from all over Greater Manchester and beyond.
It’s one of the easiest places to get to by public transport; buses, trains and trams drop you off only minutes away from the entrance.By Bus
Many buses serve Cannon Street and Victoria bus stations and many more stop within easy walking distance in the city centre. Manchester's free city centre Metroshuttle service also links Victoria station with other areas of the centre.
Many accessible buses in Greater Manchester have a ‘kneeling’ suspension which means the bus driver can lower the bus at the stop. There is a space for people who use wheelchairs. You can find out whether your service is accessible by telephoning Traveline on 0871 200 22 33 or Textphone 18001 0871 200 22 33, or you can check the bus timetable to find out whether journeys on a particular service are operated using accessible buses. Visit the GMPTE website for more details about bus services.By Taxi
Taxis can be pre-booked to the Manchester Arena. The drop off point is located outside our Hunts Bank Entrance, on Hunts Bank. There is also a taxi rank outside Victoria Station and one outside The Printworks which is a short walk from the venue.By Train
Many national and local trains stop at Manchester Victoria station, right underneath the Arena.
Manchester Victoria is managed by Northern Rail and provides accessible ticket machines, an induction loop, ramps for train access plus assistance to and from platforms, disabled persons toilet and lifts or level access to all platforms.
If your train arrives at Manchester Piccadilly station, the venue is a short journey away on a Metrolink tram.
Manchester Piccadilly provides the same level of access as Manchester Victoria but additionally features an accessible ticket counter, radar key system and wheelchairs/mobility scooters which can be arranged in advance with your train company.
Journeys can be planned through Northern Railway and travel options are also available via TransPennine Express.By Tram
Metrolink trams call at the Victoria stop, right by the venue. Trams run from many places in Greater Manchester and are also a handy way to get to the Arena from other places in the city centre. Your journey can be planned via the Metrolink website.
Metrolink is an easily accessible system; all stops have either a ramp, lift or escalator access. Most platforms have tactile edges for visually impaired passengers. All platforms have designated wheelchair/pushchair access point for step free access. Each tram has designated disabled/pushchair areas with its own emergency / information call points.By Air
Manchester has a large international airport which provides easy access to the Arena. The airport is approximately ten miles from the venue and can be reached by train or bus as detailed above.
By road
Manchester Arena is located in Manchester City Centre, on the corner of Trinity Way, Hunts Bank and Great Ducie Street.
For Sat Nav systems the postcode for the car park is M3 1AR and the postcode for the drop off point is M3 1UN.
Please arrange to drop off and/or pick up away from the Arena as, due to the city-centre location and size of events, road closures and diversions may be in place at the end of an event – making it difficult to return to your chosen meeting point.
Important Information
Please note, the Victoria Station approach (running from Corporation Street down Hunts Bank) is a bus lane only. This new route is enforced by cameras and subsequent fines. The road in the opposite direction (from Great Ducie Street up Hunts Bank) will remain open for car access.For the latest news and information regarding planned roadworks in the North West, please visit the Highways Agency website or call 08457 504030.
Parking
The on-site car park is operated by the venue’s official parking partner NCP and has a capacity of 958 spaces.
On show nights, the car park is manned by an events team, who work to ensure that parking at the venue is as simple and easy as possible. They conduct regular patrols of the car park which also has the Park Mark award for safety.
You can pre-book your parking 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.
We advise anyone with mobility issues to arrive as early as possible and use either the onsite NCP car park or the Shudehill Interchange NCP.
Coach Parking
If you require information on coach parking please visit the Manchester City Council website.Accessibility
Booking Tickets
To book tickets, please contact the Accessibility Team on 01619 505229 (10am – 5pm Mon - Fri, 10am – 4pm on Saturdays, excluding Bank Holidays) or visit the box office in person.Please note that the accessibility line will be open at 9am for onsales. When purchasing tickets please discuss your accessibility requirements and whether you require a free personal assistant ticket.
Tickets are subject to booking fees and a venue facility fee of 55p per ticket. The venue facility fee of 55p per ticket is now in place to cover the increased property rates introduced by central government in 2017.
Free Tickets for Personal Assistants
Manchester Arena is working to ensure that the allocation of personal assistant tickets is a fair process – and that all tickets are only available for those individuals who would be unable to attend an event without the support of another person.In order to do this a new policy has been implemented, whereby individuals booking tickets through the accessible ticket line will now be required to submit a completed access form and supporting evidence before any ticket can be processed.This will be strictly enforced.
To register for your personal assistant ticket for an event, please fill out and return the Access Scheme Form with your supporting evidence by post, to Manchester Arena, Victoria Station, Hunts Bank, Manchester, M3 1AR or via email to accessibility@manchester-arena.com.
Click here for more information on the Access Scheme.
Contact Details for Accessibility
If you would like to speak about booking accessible tickets, getting to the venue, venue access facilities, or if you require any further information, please contact the Accessibility Team.By email
Please send an email to enquiries@manchester-arena.com. Please make sure to include information in the subject line of your message.By phone
You can call the Accessibility Team on 01619 505229. A text relay service is available via NGTS.In person
You can also stop by the box office and speak to someone in person.By writing
The postal address is Manchester Arena, Victoria Station, Hunts Bank, Manchester, M3 1AR.Office hours are 10am – 5pm Mon – Fri, 10am – 4pm on Saturdays (excluding Bank Holidays). Please note the accessibility line will open at 9am for onsales only.
Venue Facilities
Manchester Arena provides the following facilities to assist customers with access requirements:- Disabled parking, available at an onsite NCP Car Park (please note that this is not operated by the venue)
- Lift access within both the NCP car park and Victoria Station allows access to the Box Office and City Room entrance. Lift access to the right of the Hunts Bank steps allows access to our Hunts Bank entrance
- A box office window with a lowered counter and loop system
- Concession stands with lowered counters
- Designated seating areas within the venue for wheelchair users, or those with walking difficulties, and their personal assistants
- A hearing loop system within the arena bowl. Please speak to the Accessibility Team for more details on booking tickets in this area
- ‘House’ wheelchairs are available if required. Venue stewards will also provide assistance to help customers reach their seats. We recommend that customers use the Hunts Bank entrance and go to the Customer Service (Tickets and Info) desk to make use of this service.
- The Customer Service (Tickets and Info) desk is located on the concourse, next to the Hunts Bank entrance should any customers require any further assistance once in the venue
- Assistance dogs are welcome at the Manchester Arena. If you would like to bring an assistance dog to the venue, please contact the venue in advance so they can make additional arrangements to care for your dog during the event. Please send an email to enquiries@manchester-arena.com.
Toilets
There are a number of accessible toilets situated within the venue, with three unisex toilets fitted with radar locks. Two are located on the concourse at Block 112 and Block 122. The third is located by the bar area on the floor. If you require a radar key please speak to the Customer Services desk at the Hunts Bank entrance, or a member of the stewarding team stood by the toilets.Additionally there is at least one wheelchair accessible toilet in each set of toilet facilities (three female sets, three male). These are located on the concourse opposite Blocks 122, 116 and 110.
Accessible Public Transport
Train
Manchester Victoria
Many national and local trains stop at Manchester Victoria station, right underneath the Arena. Manchester Victoria is managed by Arriva Rail North and provides accessible ticket machines, an induction loop, ramps for train access plus assistance to and from platforms, an accessible toilet and lifts or level access to all platforms.Journeys can be planned through Northern Railway.
Manchester Piccadilly
Manchester Arena is only a short Metrolink or free Metroshuttle ride from Piccadilly Train Station. Manchester Piccadilly is managed by Network Rail. The station provides accessible ticket machines, an induction loop, ramps for train access plus assistance to and from platforms, accessible toilets with a radar key system, lifts or level access to all platforms, an accessible ticket counter and wheelchairs / mobility scooters which can be arranged in advance with your train company.Journeys can be planned through National Rail.
Tram
Manchester’s Metrolink systems pass right by Manchester Arena stopping at Victoria. Your journey can be planned via the Metrolink website.Metrolink is an easily accessible system. All stops have either a ramp, lift or escalator access. Most platforms have tactile edges for visually impaired passengers. All platforms have designated wheelchair access points for step free access. Each tram has designated accessible areas with its own emergency / information call points.
Bus
Many buses, including the free city centre bus service, stop within easy walking distance of Victoria Station and Manchester Arena. There are many accessible bus services in Greater Manchester. To find out whether your service is accessible, phone Traveline on 0871 200 22 33, Textphone 18001 0871 200 22 33, or check your local bus timetable.Visit the Transport for Greater Manchester website for more details about bus services.
Air
Manchester has a large international airport which provides easy access to the Arena. The airport is approximately ten miles from the venue and can be reached by train, Metrolink or bus as detailed above.Manchester Airport is easily accessible and its facilities include hearing loops, level access, lift access, changing places toilet, accessible toilets, assistance within the airport (needs to be booked in advance) and permitting assistance dogs to travel.
For more information, visit the Manchester Airport website.
Accessible Parking
The on-site multi storey car park is operated and managed by NCP. There are a number of blue badge spaces available within the car park and additionally within the surrounding areas of the Arena.We advise anyone with walking difficulties to arrive as early as possible and use the NCP car parks at the Arena, Shudehill or the Printworks. Please note that the car parks do not fall under the jurisdiction of Manchester Arena. If you would like to pre book parking or have any further queries please contact NCP on 0845 050 7080.
Arriving at the Venue
We would recommend using either the City Room or Hunts Bank entrance for the easiest access into the arena. Make sure you give yourself plenty of time to get into the building and find your seats, as many shows are extremely busy. Manchester Arena opening times vary depending on the event and are subject to change. Please check the Manchester Arena events page for more information on specific show timings.Getting from the NCP car park to the City Room entrance and Box Office
Follow directions from the car park to the Box Office entrance and you will reach a set of doors with a small flight of stairs on the other side, leading to the Arena entrance. There is also a lift to the right hand side of the doors that takes you up one level.Getting from Victoria Station to City Room entrance & Box Office
Take the lift located to the right hand side of the stairs within Victoria station. The lift to the bridge level connects Victoria Station to the City Rooms entrance at the Arena. Maximum distance from Victoria Station to entrance is 180 metres.Getting from Hunts Bank Drop Off Point into the Arena
The Hunts Bank entrance is a convenient drop off point with access to the Manchester Arena via the stairs or a lift to the right hand side of the stairs. Maximum distance to the lift from the drop off point is 50 meters.Customers with Medical and Dietary Requirements
If you have any medical requirements, please contact the accessibility team in advance of your visit via email, at enquiries@manchester-arena.com.The venue food and beverage policy does not allow food and drink to be brought into the arena. However, allowances can be made in exceptional circumstances. If you have specific dietary requirements please contact the Accessibility Team in advance of your visit for further advice.
Medical assistance is available at the venue for every event. Please contact any member of the stewarding staff if you require medical assistance or advice.
Crutches
For your safety, and for those around you, people using crutches and / or walking aids cannot be permitted onto a standing floor. This is because, even though your friends around you could help to look after you, crowd movement on the floor is unpredictable. If you have booked a standing ticket, the venue will always endeavour to find you an accessible position within the Arena so that you can still come to the concert. Please contact the Accessibility Team to discuss your requirements.Flashing Lights and Strobes
Most shows have some form of flashing lighting. Signage is displayed around the concourse to advise people if lasers or strobes will be in use. The show’s lighting is determined by the production team and Arena staff do not always receive details of this in advance of the performance. Please note that it is highly unlikely that a show’s lighting will be changed or adapted upon request.Seating
Floor Seating
All floor seats can be accessed using one of the arena lifts.Lower Tier (Block 101 and above)
The first raised tier of seating in the lower tier does not have a handrail after Row X (10 steps down). All accessible bays for wheelchair users are located within the lower tier.Upper Tier (Block 201 and above)
The second raised tier of seating requires the negotiation of steep steps and so may not be suitable for customers with vertigo or those with mobility problems. There is a central handrail located within this tier. Seating at the front of the upper tier is 35ft (10m) from the ground, rising to 70ft (20m) at the rear.If you require any advice on what seats to book please contact the Accessibility Team.