Whether you’ve got tickets to see your favourite artist or you’re looking to book to see your favourite comedian, the AO Arena in Manchester has plenty of events planned this year.

To help you out before your event, here’s all you need to know when visiting the AO Arena from the banned items to bars and restaurants nearby.

Here’s everything you need to know about the arena ahead of your event.

How to get to the AO Arena Manchester

You’ll find the Arena within the Victoria Station complex in Manchester City Centre on the corner of Trinity Way, Hunts Bank and Great Ducie Street.

The postcode you’ll need when travelling to the Arena is M3 1AR.

You can drive to the arena or get public transport, including the tram, train, bus or coach.

The AO Arena website also explains how you can get to the Arena if you’re flying to Manchester via Manchester Airport.

Hotels, bars and restaurants nearby

The AO Arena has plenty of restaurants, bars and hotels nearby – here are just a few.

Hotels:

  • CitySuites Aparthotel, 16 Chapel Street, M3 7NH – 5-minute walk from the Arena
  • The Lowry Hotel, 50 Dearmans Place, M3 5LH – 15-minute walk from the Arena
  • AC Hotel Manchester City Centre, 15 Mason Street, M4 5FT – 10-minute walk from the Arena
  • Roomzzz Manchester Victoria, Exchange Square – 2-minute walk from the Arena
  • Stay Inn Hotel Manchester, 55 Blackfriars Road, M3 7DB – 5-minute walk from the Arena
  • Hotel Gotham, 100 King Street, M2 4WU – 12-minute walk from the Arena

Restaurants and bars:

  • The Printworks, Withy Grove, M4 2BS - 2-minute walk from the Arena
  • The Corn Exchange, Exchange Square, M4 3TR - 2-minute walk from the Arena
  • San Carlo, 40 - 42 King Street West, M3 2WY - 12-minute walk from the Arena

Where is the Box Office and when does it open?

The Box Office is within the Trinity Way Tunnel next to the CitiPark entrance.

Visitors can only go to the Box Office from 4pm on event days and it’s important to note that it will close 15 minutes after the main act has started performing on stage.

What is the Arena’s bag policy?

AO Arena urges visitors to bring only minimal personal belongings to the venue and only one small bag per person is allowed.

But, if you need to bring a bag, this is the criteria it must meet:

  • Bags must be no bigger than 30cm wide x 40cm long x 20cm deep (approximately A3 size)
  • Bags that can be worn on your back can’t be any bigger than 30cm wide x 20cm long x 20cm deep (approximately A4 size)
  • Backpacks are not allowed into the venue

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What items are banned from the Arena?

Visitors are not allowed to bring backpacks, holdalls, luggage, oversized bags and cushions to the Arena.

A list of items provided by the Arena shows what is not allowed but it’s not exhaustive and additional items could be refused on entry:

  • Glass, cans, aluminium bottles or thermoses of any kind including liquid products which can be consumed
  • Flammable liquids in any container
  • Laser pens/pointers
  • Video cameras, recording devices and professional cameras
  • Laptop computers, iPads, Go Pro’s or tablets with filming and recording capabilities
  • Large/golf/metal-tipped umbrellas
  • Knives or weapons of any kind
  • Illegal drugs or substances
  • Alcoholic beverages
  • Signs, banners or flags on poles, staffs or selfie sticks
  • Animals (except ADUK registered service dogs)
  • Air horns, whistles, cowbells or other noise-making distractions
  • Projectiles (frisbees, beach balls, footballs etc)
  • Aerosol cans (hairspray, deodorant etc)
  • Fireworks, confetti, glitter bombs or flares
  • Balloons
  • Use of wheeled footwear, skateboards
  • Food and drinks
  • Helmets and full face masks
  • Large studs and chains

What can you buy at the Arena?

There are some refreshments available at the AO Arena including hot and cold food and drinks (including alcohol) plus official merchandise. The Arena urges visitors to be drink-aware.

The AO Arena is cashless so you’ll need to make card or contactless payments when buying something.