AO Arena managed and operated by ASM Global Europe, is one of the busiest venues in the world and the largest indoor arena in Europe. Since opening in 1995, the Arena has hosted the biggest names in live entertainment, including U2, The Rolling Stones, Madonna, Lady Gaga, Pavarotti and the record-breaking 2010/2011 residency by local comedian Peter Kay. In addition, to live music, the venue has also staged some of the biggest events in the UK sporting calendar, including several 2002 Commonwealth Games events, the 2012 Olympic basketball warm-up match between Team USA and GB, the 2008 FINA World Swimming Championships and international boxing bouts by Mike Tyson, David Haye, Joe Calzaghe and local champions Ricky Hatton and Amir Khan.
You can find answers to any questions you have about attending Arenacross at AO Arena, Manchester on the venue website
Official parking partners CitiPark operate the on-site car park, which has a capacity of 958 spaces and includes accessible bays. Parking can be pre-booked by following the link to the CitiPark website.
Please Note: Blue Badge parking Bays cannot be specifically booked and are on a first-come, first-served basis. If spaces are available, an attendant will direct you to present your blue badge. There are 40 Blue Badge parking bays.
On show nights, the car park is manned by an events team that works 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.
After the show, Trinity Way will be closed southbound between Great Ducie Street and Cheetham Hill Road for up to one hour to allow concert-goers to exit the venue safely.
However, if parking at the official CitiPark car park, you can still exit during this closure, but you must turn right and follow local diversions.
CAR
The Arena is in the heart of the city centre (M3 1AR), next to the Inner Ring Road.
At peak times, the roads surrounding the venue are very busy with commuters, and journey delays are common.
A number of major roadwork schemes are also taking place around the city centre, affecting traffic, so please ensure you allow sufficient time for your journey.
BUS
Shudehill bus station is only a five-minute walk from the Arena and Piccadilly bus station just 10 minutes away.
Manchester’s free city centre FreeBus service also links Victoria station with other areas of the centre, including Piccadilly station.
Find out about accessibility on Greater Manchester’s bus services on the Transport for Greater Manchester website.
Plan your bus journey on the Transport for Greater Manchester website.
TRAIN
Many national and local trains serve Manchester Victoria Station.
Find out about accessibility at Manchester Victoria station.
Manchester Piccadilly is the main train station for the city and is just a short walk, bus or tram journey away from the Arena.
Find out about accessibility at Manchester Piccadilly station.
Plan your train journey on the National Rail website.
AIR
Manchester has a large international airport that provides easy access to the Arena.
The airport is approximately ten miles from the venue and can be reached by train and tram in less than an hour.
WALK
Metrolink services operate frequently throughout the day, and many services continue running after events.
Trams run directly to Victoria Station from Rochdale, Bury, Altrincham, East Didsbury and the Airport. For other destinations, please change at St Peter’s Square.
Metrolink is a modern system with all stops and services accessible for wheelchair users. Find out more about accessibility on Metrolink.
Plan your Metrolink journey on the Transport for Greater Manchester website.
The AO Arena is located in Manchester city centre, within the Manchester Victoria Station complex and is conveniently surrounded by an abundance of hotels, restaurants and amenities all within easy walking distance. So if you’re making a trip of it, check out the hotels and restaurants that are close by!
Click here for more info on where to stay.
Find out more
The AO Arena is located in Manchester city centre, within the Manchester Victoria Station complex and is conveniently surrounded by an abundance of bars, restaurants and amenities all within easy walking distance. So if you’re making a trip of it, check out the hotels and restaurants that are close by!
See more local food options here.
Find out more
Whether you’re seeking culture, nightlife, history, or just good fun, Manchester has plenty of things to do.
Be absorbed by the beautiful attractions such as the gothic architecture at John Rylands Library and Manchester Cathedral; take in fine art at Manchester Art Gallery and the Whitworth; discover history, old and new, at Manchester Museum and the Imperial War Museum North; see contemporary arts redefined at HOME; or even learn to ski at Chill Factore.
Of course, Manchester is synonymous with football; it’s written in our DNA. So make some time to make a tour of the grounds of Manchester United and Manchester City, and discover the social history of the beautiful game at the National Football Museum. You can guarantee a ticket to any Manchester United home game with a Matchday VIP Experience.
For those who enjoy getting active, a short journey from the city centre provides access to beautiful walks within Greater Manchester, such as Hollingworth Lake, Heaton Park, Sale Water Park and Haigh Hall.
And if you need to keep the kids entertained, there are plenty of things to do in Manchester. The Science and Industry Museum, Play Factore and LEGOLAND Discovery Centre are great fun for all the family.
Manchester is renowned for its entertainment, with a plethora of cinemas, theatres, and legendary clubs for great night-time amusement. There are many opportunities to go sightseeing in Greater Manchester, with a number of walking tours, bus tours, and taxi tours, such as the Sightseeing Manchester Bus Tour.
As the Gateway to the North, it is easy to expand your Manchester visit even further with a trip to the beautiful countryside, including the Lake District and the Peak District, and cosmopolitan cities such as Chester, Leeds, Liverpool, Newcastle and York
