Manchester AO Arena seating chart (formerly Phones4u Arena)

How many rows are there in lower tier / level 100 / blocks 100?

Level 100 blocks have rows from A to X, with the exception of block 103 (rows A to W) and block 114 (rows F to X).

How many rows are there in upper tier / level 200 / blocks 200?

Level 200 blocks have rows from A to R, with the exception of blocks 202, 203 and 204 which have rows from A to P.

What are the best floor seats at Manchester AO Arena?

The floor is totally flat, so sitting in blocks D, E, F, G, H, J can be a problem for children or smaller people - especially as at most shows everyone on the floor stands up for the whole duration of the event. Also stewards may not let children stand on seats. Blocks A, B, C offer probably the best viewing experience for shorter people. Each of them has rows from A to Q. Blocks B, E, H are central so they are sometimes more expensive.

What are the best lower tier seats at Manchester AO Arena?

Blocks 100 are raised and slope further upwards typically from rows A at the front to X at the back. Row A is quite a bit higher than all the floor blocks. In blocks 102, 103, 104, 105 the seat 1 is nearest to the stage, but in blocks 112, 113, 114, 115 the seat number 1 is furthest to the stage. The distance to the stage in the same row in blocks 106, 107, 108, 109, 110, 111 is comparable irrespective of the seat number.

Front rows in blocks 102-104 and 113-115 have very good seats and offer probably the best viewing experience.

What are the best lower upper seats in Manchester AO Arena?

The top tier blocks 200 slope further upwards typically from rows A at the front to R at the back. Seat number 1 is nearest to the stage in blocks 202, 203, 204, 205, but it is furthest from the stage in blocks 212, 213, 214, 215. The distance to the stage in the same row in blocks 206, 207, 208, 209, 210, 211 is comparable irrespective of the seat number.

Front rows in blocks 202-204 and 213-215 have very good seats and offer probably the best viewing experience.

How does the block and seat numbering work?

For standard shows the Arena bowl has fixed tiered seating starting at block 102 and goes round in an anticlockwise direction to block 115. Seats are numbered from 1 upwards meaning for blocks 102 - 105 & 202 - 205 seat 1 is nearest to the stage but furthest from the stage for blocks 112 - 115 & 212 & 215. The floor blocks are normally numbered 1 -18 left to right when facing the stage.

Are the floor seats comfortable?

Seats in the floor blocks are 'removable', not 'permanent' like they are in the lower and upper tiers. So they are more like seats you'd get if you went to a function at a hotel. They're comfortable enough; perhaps not as wide as the ones in the lower and upper tiers. That said, your will be probably standing up for most of the show

What are the best seat tickets at the Manchester AO Arena?

The AO Arena is a fantastic venue and the reviews suggest that there isn't really a bad seat.

Some people tend to avoid the upper tier (level 200). The seats there are sometimes referred to as 'in the gods' and the back rows there may be almost vertigo inducing.

You can save a few pounds by selecting blocks 101, 102 and 115, 116 and have the unique experience of seeing some behind the stage and backstage action, for example, when the artist is preparing to walk onto the stage. The only negative is that you will obviously be looking across stage. For end-stage, the lower the seat number in block 115 the better - seat number 1 has best angle of view whereas seat number 28 is at an extreme angle to the side of the stage (although it is closer to the stage).

What do the symbols / glossary on the tickets mean?

BL - Block

Upper tier - 200 level - all blocks starting with a 2

Lower tier - 100 level - all blocks starting with a 1

DP - Disabled platform

CP - Camera platform

Side view - on the side of the stage – there may be some restriction of view - eg. no view of the screens

Restricted view - same as side view but obstructions from production and stage equipment

Rear View - Some shows sell in the round and open seats behind the stage and the production quality is unaffected although the view to the artists is through the back-line

What is a Meet & Greet package experience?

Once in a lifetime Meet & Greet experience represents the ultimate concert experience. With this package you get to meet your idol. The Meet & Greet Experience is one you'll never forget.

What is the Hot Tickets package?

With the so called Hot Tickets you can access some of the best seats in the house. Hot Tickets give you the opportunity to select your block & row at seated venues.

What is the Club Experience?

These packages typically include: access to pre show meals, private bars, luxury facilities, private enclosures and fast track entry.

What is the Early Entry ticket?

The Early Entry ticket gives you the opportunity to get up to close to the stage with early/pre doors access for standing shows.

Which entrance should I use?

There are three main entrances - City Room (off Victoria Station), Trinity Way (near the NCP car park entrance) and Hunts Bank. Whilst access to all areas can be gained from each one, the following suggestions are a guide to the closest entrance.

City Room:

Blocks 104, 105, 106, 107, 108, 109, 204, 205, 206, 207, 208, 209

Blocks D, E, F, G, H, J or unreserved standing on the floor

Trinity Way:

Blocks 110, 111, 112, 113, 114, 115, 210, 211, 212, 213, 214, 215

Hunts Bank:

Blocks 101, 102, 103, 116, 117, 118, 119, 120, 121, 122, 201, 202, 203, 216, 217, 218, 219, 220, 221, 222

Blocks A, B, C on the floor

The City Room entrance is recommended for disabled customers.

What is the capacity of the Manchester AO Arena? / How many people does it hold?

The Arena can hold the following number of people:

In the round concerts – up to 21,000 (floor standing)

In the round concerts – up to 20,400 (fully seated)

Conventional end-stage concerts – up to 19,350 (floor standing)

Conventional end-stage concerts – 13,500–15,800 (fully seated)

Side stage – up to 11,150 (fully seated)

Lower tier fixed seated capacity – 10,762

Upper tier fixed seated capacity – 8,870

Ice hockey and gymnastics – up to 17,643

FINA Swimming championships 2008 – 17,250

Basketball – up to 20,500

Boxing – up to 21,000

How do I get to AO Arena?

AO Arena is in Manchester city-centre, on the corner of Trinity Way, Hunts Bank and Great Ducie Street and adjacent to Victoria Station. There is a 900 capacity multi-storey car parking on site and approximately 3,500 spaces within 10 minutes walk of the venue. Please beware of unauthorised car parks and street parking, especially around the Strangeways area, as a rise in incidents has recently been reported. It is advised that anyone with walking difficulties should arrive as early as possible and use the car parks at the Arena, Shudehill or the Printworks. The Arena is also well served by public transport from buses, trains and trams and there is a taxi rank outside Victoria Station. It's smart to arrange to drop off and/or collect 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.

The Arena is accessible to everyone. The on-site NCP car park offers many spaces for disabled customers and there are lifts available both within the car park and giving access to our Box Office and City Room entrance. There is also a lift from platform 3 on Victoria Station and to the right of the Hunts Bank steps. Designated seating within AO Arena caters for wheelchair users and their carers or those with walking difficulties. There are also lowered counters and disabled toilet facilities.

Hot to get to the Arena by car?

AO Arena is situated on the A56, 3 miles from Junction 17 of the M62.

Where to park near the Manchester AO Arena?

The on-site multi-storey car park is operated and managed by NCP Manchester and has a capacity of 900. Security is up to NCP Manchester's high standards with the car parking rated with a Park Mark award. It also has regular patrols and state-of-the-art CCTV monitoring from NCP Manchester's control room. You can also pre-book your parking on-line before you arrive at NCP to guarantee your space.

How to get to the Manchester AO Arena by public transport?

If you're planning a trip to AO Arena - day or night - then you'll find public transport is probably the best way to travel from all over Greater Manchester, and beyond. AO Arena is one of the easiest places to get to by public transport. Buses, trains and trams drop you only minutes away from the entrance.

Trams

Metrolink trams call at the Victoria stop, right by the AO Arena. 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.

Buses

Many buses serve Cannon Street and Victoria bus stations and there are many bus stops within easy walking distance in the city centre. If you're staying out late then Nightbus services on Friday and Saturday nights run directly past AO Arena. Manchester's free city centre Metroshuttle service also links Victoria station with other areas of the centre.

Trains

Many national and local trains stop at Manchester Victoria station, right underneath the Arena. If your train arrives at Manchester Piccadilly station, the AO Arena is a short journey away on a Metrolink tram.

What is the address of the Manchester Evening News Arena?

Phones 4u Manchester AO Arena, Victoria Station, Manchester, M3 1AR

For Sat Nav systems the postcode is M3 1AR.

How to book a ticket?

You can book a ticket by phone, online, by post or in person at the Box Office. You can find the details on the official Manchester AO Arena website.

Will my tickets be posted to me?

Tickets booked with online can either be posted out or left for collection at the Box Office. Tickets can usually be collected 48 hours after purchase; the cardholder must be present and produce the credit card.

How can I collect my tickets if I am delayed?

The Box Office will close at approx 9.00pm on an event night or just before the main act take to the stage - after this time tickets can still be collected from the Customer Services Desk after accessing the venue by the Hunts Bank entrance.

Are there any age restrictions for shows at AO Arena?

There are no age restrictions to any shows, however no children under 14 should come unaccompanied. It is also advisable that under 14s should not go on the floor for standing floor shows. Generally children shows allow babes in arms up to 23 months however some shows specifically targeted at younger audiences require a ticket for anyone attending the performance. Children's ear defenders can be purchased from the merchandise stand at Block 111.

What should I bring with me?

Patrons are advised to bring the least amount of belongings possible. Small bags are permitted but may be subject to searches and, at some events, may be removed from standing floor ticket-holders for collection afterwards. The unauthorised use of cameras, video or any other form of recording equipment (including iPad's / tablets) is strictly prohibited. 35mm cameras are permitted at most events but professional cameras with a detachable zoom lens are not. At certain events, the promoter may request a ban on all photography and signs to this effect will be displayed at all entrances. No food or drink is to be brought into the venue. Banners are also prohibited. Large golfing style umbrellas should not be brought to the venue as they will not be permitted on safety grounds, however small (handbag / briefcase style) umbrellas will be permitted.

Can I bring a camera into the Arena?

The official policy of the Arena and the touring shows, forming part of the conditions of sale when you purchase a ticket, is that the unauthorised use of cameras, video and any other form of recording equipment (including iPad's / tablets) is strictly prohibited. However, some of the shows do permit the use of small digital cameras including, in many cases, 'bridge' cameras (larger digital cameras with zoom lenses that cannot be removed). For the avoidance of any confusion 'professional' cameras with removable and interchangeable lenses are always prohibited. Unfortunately, the camera policy for a specific show is typically only confirmed on the day of the event.

What is the Manchester AO Arena Priority Pass?

Anyone who subscribes to the Manchester AO Arena Priority Pass has a chance to buy tickets before they go on sale to the general public.

What hospitality packages are available?

AO Arena hosts the biggest names from the world of pop, rock, classical, family shows, comedy and sport and our hospitality team is dedicated to creating and delivering your perfect evening. Hospitality packages include:

Gold Packages - Hospitality suite on an annual basis.

Silver Packages - Hospitality suite on an event-by-event basis.

Concert Club - Pre-show hospitality and premium seats.

The View Experience - Ideal for couples or small groups of friends.

What is the Manchester AO Arena Gold Package?

Entertain and impress business associates and staff in your own private hospitality suite on an annual basis. AO Arena has 26 first class Hospitality Suites, with private bar, full catering menus, waiter service, lounge furniture and your own private viewing balcony. Benefits include:

Your own private suite complete with an entertainment area and balcony seating for between twelve and eighteen guests

Advance notification of all AO Arena events throughout the year

Priority booking lines through to our Box Office and Food & Beverage Department

Private bar & suite host

Hot and cold food menu options served directly to your suite

WC and cloakroom facilities

Reserved ground floor car parking

Dedicated suiteholders entrance

What is the Manchester AO Arena Silver Package?

You may not need a suite for a 12 month period, but would like the opportunity to entertain and impress your clients or friends and family with an invitation to an event - the Silver Packages are designed exactly for this purpose. You can hire a suite on an event-by-event basis and enjoy all the benefits of our full hospitality service. For that special occasion, sample the celebrity lifestyle from the comfort of your private suite. With balcony seating for up to 14 people, entertainment area with a private bar and buffet, en-suite WC facilities, a souvenir concert programme - and, of course, tickets to the latest sell-out event - our packages are perfect for any kind of celebration. Benefits include:

Your own private suite for up to 14 people

Dedicated VIP entrance

Champagne reception upon arrival

Private bar and suite host

Full hot and cold buffet menu served directly to your suite

En-suite WC and cloakroom facilities

Concert Tickets inclusive

Souvenir concert programmes

What is the Manchester AO Arena Concert Club?

Whether you're a fanatical concertgoer who wants great seats in the house guaranteed or a company looking to entertain clients and offer the best in staff incentives, AO Arena Concert Club provides the ideal solution. For 12 months you'll get your very own seats guaranteed for a two week period on EVERY SHOW - plus exclusive access to the Premier Lounge. Benefits include:

Advance Concert Club notifications and media releases

Secure on-line portal to manage your membership & purchase tickets

Priority booking lines through to the Box Office

Dedicated corporate tickets collection window

Dedicated Concert Club entrance

Access to the Premier Lounge

What is the Manchester AO Arena View Experience?

Upgrade your concert experience with The View Experience. Ideal for couples or small groups of friends, The View Experience includes pre-show entry to The View bar and restaurant plus concert tickets in our VIP seating area. You will get a dedicated fast track entrance to The View from City Room (next to the Box Office), early access to the venue before the general public and pre-show entry to The View with a complimentary glass of champagne on arrival (a menu is also available to order and pay for food at the bar). To upgrade your concert experience simply click on The View button next to your chosen event on the Events Calendar page.

Hotels near Manchester AO Arena

You will probably find it difficult to find a very cheap hotel near the Manchester AO Arena. The hotels near the Arena include: Park Inn by Radisson Manchester City Centre, Holiday Inn Express Manchester City Centre, The Lowry Hotel, Stay Inn Hotel Manchester, Manchester Marriott and Renaissance Hotel, Crowne Plaza Manchester City centre, Hilton Manchester Deansgate.

Restaurants near Manchester AO Arena

Good restaurants near the Manchester AO Arena include: Cicchetti, San Carlo, Podium Restaurant, RBG Bar & Grill at Park Inn Hotel, The Printworks, The View

Aftershow venues

The buzzing hotspots near the Arena include: The Printworks, Cloud 23, The Birdcage Manchester

About the Manchester AO Arena

AO Arena Manchester (formerly known as the NYNEX Arena, Manchester Evening News Arena, MEN or simply the Manchester AO Arena is one of the busiest venues in the world and the largest indoor arena in Europe. Along with the O2 London Arena and the Wembley Stadium it is the UK's prime hotspot for staging large-scale entertainment events. Since opening in 1995, the Arena has hosted the biggest names in live entertainment including U2, The Rolling Stones, Madonna, Lady Gaga, and Pavarotti. In addition to live music, the Arena also staged some of the biggest events in 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. The Arena also played a key part in Manchester's rich musical heritage with historic shows by local bands Take That, Oasis, Elbow, New Order, James, Happy Mondays, The Charlatans, Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds, M People, Doves, The Inspiral Carpets, The Verve, Simply Red and The Courteeners. The arena was named 'Busiest Arena Venue In The World', based on ticket sales for concerts in 2003-2007 ahead of other indoor arenas including the Madison Square Garden and Wembley Arena.

Interesting facts

30 hospitality business suites (seats up to 12 guests)

8 top floor suites known as 'The White house' (each seats between 6 and 15 guests - located in the white sports commentators boxes when not in use)

4 party suites (seats up to 25 guests)

The arena claimed to have the world's largest indoor video scoreboard when it opened in 1995. The videowall has been deactivated, but remains in situ mounted in the roof. It has been replaced with an LED Ribbonboard mounted on the video scoreboard's exterior.

The arena was one of the first indoor venues in Europe to be built following the traditional American sports arena layout of 360 degree seating, and is the only arena in the UK to have this feature (London's The O2 Arena also has 360 degrees seating, but only on its lower tier, whereas the AO Arena features it on both tiers).

The AO Arena was constructed as part of the city's unsuccessful bid for the 2000 Summer Olympics.

The venue attracts over a million customers each year for concerts and family shows, making it one of the world's busiest indoor arenas, and was named 'International Venue Of The Year' in 2002 in the 'Pollstar' awards, and was nominated in the same category in 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009. The arena was named 'Busiest Arena Venue In The World', based on ticket sales for concerts in 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007 ahead of other indoor arenas including the Madison Square Garden and Wembley Arena. The arena was the 'World's Busiest Arena' from 2001 until 2007 based on ticket sales for concerts, attracting five and a half million customers. It was voted 'Europe's Favourite Arena' at the TIP Awards in 2008 by the touring companies that bring the shows to the venue.

In 2008, the arena was world's third busiest arena behind London's O2 Arena and New York's Madison Square Garden. In 2009, it was the world's second busiest arena behind London's O2 Arena and ahead of Antwerp's Sportpaleis and Madison Square Garden. Although second to London's O2 Arena the AO Arena had its busiest year with over 1,500,000 people attending concerts and family shows. The arena hosts over 250 events annually including comedy, live music and tours, sporting events, and occasionally musicals.

How can I find my section, row and seat numbers on the Manchester AO Arena seating chart?

Our AO Arena seating charts are designed for easy navigation. Simply pan, zoom in, and zoom out on the high-resolution image to explore the venue in detail. You can quickly locate your exact seat, row, and section by zooming in on the specific area of interest. Each seating plan clearly marks rows, sections, and seat numbers for major sports and concert events.

Can I see a view from my seat for AO Arena?

Currently, for some venues, we offer a generic venue view that gives you a visual representation of the seating arrangement. While this image won't show the exact view from your seat, it allows you to see how the sections are laid out within the venue, helping you better understand the overall seating plan structure.

Can I view seating plans for both sports events and concerts?

Absolutely! Our platform features seating maps for a wide range of event types at Manchester AO Arena, from sports games to concerts and other live performances. While venue layouts may sometimes vary depending on the event, we do our best to ensure you have seating chart with seat numbers for your specific occasion.

What are some of the biggest shows that will take place or have taken place in the Manchester AO Arena, UK?

Some of the biggest names in show business have been scheduled to perform or performed in the Manchester AO Arena. This includes: 15th birthday, alan carr, alicia keys, andre rieu, ant and dec's takeaway on tour, arctic monkeys, australian pink floyd, avenged sevenfold, avincii, bad company, bamma 5, barry manilow, batman live, beyonce, black sabath, boyzone, britney spears, bruno mars, bullet for my valentine, Calvin Harris, carl froch vs george groves, caro emerald, cbl, celine dion, celtic tiger, cesar milan, chase and status, children in need, christmas party, cirque du soleil - alegria - michael jackson - dralion, coldplay, conor maynard, corronation street, dalai lama, dancing on ice, depeche mode, disney on ice, diversity, dolly parton, duran duran, elbow, enrique iglesias, fall out boy, fantasia, Four Tops and Temptations, Frank Turner and The Sleeping Souls, Freda Payne, george michael, glee, Greater Than, harlem globetrotters, here come the girls, human planet, jack whitehall gets around, jason manford, jason manford, jaz z, jessie j, jesus christ superstar, jingle ball, jls, jls, john bishop, john cena, jonas brothers, jonny mathis, justin bieber, keane, kylie lady gaga, lee evans, leonard cohen, live in concert, lord of the dance, Maroon 5, meatloaf batcave, michael buble, michael buble, michael mcintyre, micky flanagan, miley cyrus, miranda hart, morrisey, muse, neil diamond, nitro circus, nkotbbsb, noel gallagher, ollie murs, once in a lifetime, one direction, paul mccartney, pearl jam, peter gabriel, peter kay, peter pan, pink, queens of, rihanna, rod stewart, roger waters, roxette, rush, russell howard, sevenfold, short hall standing, simply minds, simply red, star wars, steps, stereophonics, street, street of dreams, summer beats, take that, take that, taylor swift, The Platters, the police, the police, the saturdays, the stone age, the wanted, thirty seconds to mars, thomas and friends, Tiësto, tinie tempah, tna wrestling, tna wrestling, usher, vampire weekend, walking with dinosaurs, war of the worlds, watch the throne, waters the wall, wet wet wet, will.i.am, wwe raw, wwe smackdown, x factor live, young voices

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