AO Arena: Manchester's Premier Event Venue
Located in the heart of Manchester, the AO Arena stands as one of the largest indoor arenas in the UK, boasting a capacity of up to 21,000 attendees. Situated at Victoria Station, Manchester M3 1AR, this iconic venue is easily accessible via public transport and major roadways, making it a central hub for entertainment in the city.
Originally opened in 1995 as the Manchester Evening News Arena, the venue has undergone several name changes, with its current branding as the AO Arena reflecting its partnership with AO.com. Over the years, it has hosted a diverse array of events, from exhilarating sports competitions to world-renowned concerts and theatrical performances.
The seating arrangements at AO Arena are designed to provide an optimal viewing experience for all attendees. The arena features a variety of seating options, including lower tier, upper tier, and premium seats. For those seeking the best views, consider opting for seats in the lower tier near the stage or center court. Pro tip: booking early can secure you prime seating at competitive prices.
The AO Arena is renowned for hosting top-tier events, including performances by global music icons such as Adele, Ed Sheeran, and The Rolling Stones. Additionally, it serves as a venue for major sporting events, including basketball games featuring the Manchester Giants and various international boxing matches.
Parking around the AO Arena is available at several nearby facilities. The Victoria Station Car Park offers convenient access to the venue. It is advisable to arrive early to secure parking and avoid congestion during peak event times. For those using public transport, both tram and train services are readily available.
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AO Arena Customers Reviews
Wish it never ended!!
Tyler Childers put on an awesome show at Stage AE. This was my first time at Stage AE, and my first Tyler Childers concert. On the way to my car after the concert I was looking for more tickets to both.
Tyler Childer’s voice and style of music hit me like the “Universal Sound.” It is exactly what you would expect and want from a Kentuckian. His songs embrace the difficult life of the area he is from, and that of those who are all too familiar with coal.
I’ve been listening to Tyler for about a year now and he’s been my favorite artist since song one. I wish him all the best in his career and hope he makes it back to Pittsburgh soon.
Kelsey Waldon opened for Tyler that night and she made the concert that much better. I listened to her online prior to attending the show and wasn’t sure what I should expect. I thought she did a great job and I enjoyed her songs a lot in person.
Stage AE was great as well. I didn’t know what to expect because I read a lot of reviews about it online before I left and it seemed like it was evil. I found it to be the opposite. Here’s what you need to know. BAG POLICY, is very strict. I think it was 4.5 inches by 6 inches. It is the same bag policy as the NFL. Basically, if it’s bigger than a wallet leave it at home or in the car. It’s not getting in and you will have to miss the concert returning it or toss it in the trash.
You will be patted down. Embrace it.
If you plan to buy alcohol and are 21 you will be able to. If you plan to buy it for someone under 21 you’ll both be listening to the concert from outside. They have folks there specifically to watch for drinks being handed off. They take it serious, and I saw at least 4 folks tossed before anything got goin.
My experience with the staff was great. Everyone I talked to was great.
Seating - the only seating is upstairs in the balcony. Down below you have a pit directly in front of the stage and a somewhat elevated area behind it by the bar and merchandise tables. If you are short you are going to want to plan to get there early for the front row, or hand back out of the pit. The pit is flat and being short and a few rows back might make it hard to see. For the opening act things were nice and orderly. You could move around a bit. As it got closer to Tyler coming on stage you started to feel the crowds inching closer and it got way more crowded in the pit. Plan accordingly.