ACCESSIBILITY

We take customers access need very seriously and we are proud of the developments we have made to make online bookings possible for disabled people.

In conjunction with our official ticket agent, The Ticket Factory, we have launched a new registration scheme for disabled customers which will result in your access requirements being linked to your account and allow you to choose the right access online for all bookings we have access tickets available for. Click below to start your application. 

We have chosen to pass the registration scheme onto the same organisation that runs the Access Card. Nimbus Disability is a social enterprise and an organisation run by and for disabled people and is recognised as a lead authority on accessible ticketing in the UK.

When you register, Nimbus Disability will handle all of your information securely and safely without us ever having cause to see the detail behind why you need accessible seating options.

Once you have registered, Nimbus will then provide you with a unique code which you can then use to link your access needs into our system.

START YOUR APPLICATION

If you are not able to use online forms and would be unable, because of the nature of your impairment, to access online sales you do still need to register. Nimbus will be able to provide those that need telephone bookings with access to a specialist team at The Ticket Factory. The team will happily help you to register by phone, paper application or similar - please let them know what format would suit you best.

Click here to find alternative contact methods.

Specially trained Assistance and Guide dogs are welcome in the Arena.

We would recommend that dogs are not taken into the bowl for loud events and as such we are happy to look after your dog for you in a safe and secure environment.  We have a designated area with bedding and water bowls and staff will take them outside for comfort breaks at regular intervals.  Simply speak to a member of Security staff on arrival.

Customers who need their dog with them at all times, we would ask to notify us of their requirements at the time of booking if possible.  Dogs may only be allowed within certain seating areas within the arena bowl depending on the layout of the event or the size of the dog.

Please ensure that your dog is either identifiable as a trained assistance/guide dog or that you can provide the necessary training paperwork for them if requested.  Dogs should be kept on a lead/harness at all times.

You can contact us via The Ticket Factory’s designated disabled booking line on 0800 640 5001. Alternatively, you can pre-register your requirements using The Ticket Factory’s free registration system via this link in order to book tickets on line.

Arena Birmingham has five stand-alone unisex accessible toilets. These are located on:

Concourse level 1, opposite Block 2 (next to the medical centre)
Concourse level 2, opposite Block 12
Arena floor level, inside Entrance C
2x Arena floor level, within B(eat) inside Entrance E 
Within all concourse toilets we have accessible toilets for both RADAR key holders and Non-RADAR key holders.

Hospitality Areas also have accessible toilets (Quartz, Foundry & Vista Rooms)

All of the unisex toilets are controlled by a RADAR key. Please speak to one of our stewards to use the RADAR key if you do not have one with you. Accessible toilets within the Male and Female toilets on the concourse level have both RADAR operated toilets and non-RADAR operated.

In addition to the unisex toilets there are dedicated ambulant cubicles within the ladies' and gents' loos throughout the arena, which are signposted accordingly.

We operate a radio frequency analogue hearing system which covers 100% of the Arena bowl, which means you can book any seat or stand anywhere on the floor and still receive great sound quality.

Customers wishing to use the system can do so free of charge and should speak to a member of Security on arrival at the Arena. We will then book out a receiver pack with lanyard and an earphone headset which plugs into the receiver. Alternatively, if you use a telecoil hearing aid, we can supply a personal neck loop which then plugs into the receiver to enhance the sound through your own hearing aid.

If you need a wheelchair and have your own or can borrow one, we recommend that you bring it with you.

We only have a very limited number of manual wheelchairs available for use in the venue which are available from entrance doors on a first come, first served basis. Please speak to a member of our Security staff on arrival for assistance.

Certain restrictions apply however: Please note that wheelchairs are for use inside the venue only and cannot be taken to car parks/train station/taxi rank etc. The intended use of the wheelchairs is as a shuttle service to your seat from the entrance door and back again. Unfortunately, we cannot allow customers to keep our wheelchairs for the duration of the event.

All visitors with disabilities wanting to purchase tickets for events at the Arena Birmingham are advised to call our Ticket Factory dedicated ticket line on 0800 640 5001. We’re open from 9am to 7pm Monday to Friday and 9am to 5pm Weekends and Bank Holidays.

Please inform us at the time of booking if you need a wheelchair space or have any special requirements, so that we can arrange for everything to be ready on your arrival. We will also help you find the most convenient seating for visitors with visual and/or hearing impairments.

If you are a disabled visitor and require a carer to attend the event with you, it may be possible to claim a discounted or complimentary carer ticket. This can differ on a show to show basis, so please check with the sales advisor when you make your booking. They may ask questions to ascertain the nature of your disability to ensure you are offered the best possible seating and eligibility for a carer ticket.

South Car Park

For concerts and events at the Arena, Blue Badge Parking is situated on Level 11 which gives direct access to our Arena Birmingham entrances. We have lifts servicing each floor of the South Car Park.

North Car Park

Accessible parking bays are located on Level 9 of the North Car Park, off King Edward's Road, close to Entrance G.

Collecting tickets

If you need to collect tickets from the Arena box office, it is recommended that you park in the South Car Park, park on Level 8 and follow the pink route round to Entrance E.

Larger vehicles

Disabled visitors arriving in vehicles over 2m in height (Minibuses or Ambilifts), will be directed to the North Car Park. Here visitors can disembark, and traffic officers will then direct the vehicle to the nearest parking bay.

Parking rates for the car parks can be found on the Arena Birmingham parking page.

Drop-off point

If you are arriving by car or taxi, but do not require parking, you need to be dropped at the bottom of the main steps on King Edward's Road, then follow the boardwalk to Entrance E.

To get your bearings please visit our 'Finding your way around' page.

In addition to the accessible toilet provision, Arena Birmingham can also boast a Changing Places toilet facility which can be found on the concourse opposite Block 5.

This facility meets the needs of people with multiple and complex disabilities who have one or more carers with, and assisting them, by providing extra features and more space.

Features include :

Height adjustable, adult sized changing bench
Ceiling hoist system to lift people between wheelchairs and the toilet/changing bench
Automatic wash/dry, centrally located toilet
Height adjustable washbasin
RADAR key operated door
(Please note - for Health & Safety reasons, we do not provide support slings for the ceiling hoist system. Customers are asked to bring their own).

There is a Medical Centre at Arena Birmingham located on Concourse Level 1 opposite Block 2. Qualified medical staff are on duty when the Arena is open to the public.

In the event of a medical emergency, please notify a steward who will radio for medical assistance.

Should you require a private area for personal care (eg private changing facilities) please speak to the staff in the Medical Centre who should be able to assist you.

Many concerts/events at Arena Birmingham use strobe lighting. Often we will not know about this until the day of the event. If you have any concerns then please speak to a steward who will be able to assist with further information about their use.

If you have a seated ticket and have a permanent condition that requires the use of a walking aid (crutches or walking sticks), then you are permitted to take these to your seat. We would ask though that you store them/it under the seats so as not to cause an obstruction or trip hazard.

We do permit the use of walking aids (crutches or walking sticks) on a standing floor, but we ask that you be mindful of your surroundings at all times so as not to cause discomfort/injury to yourself or those around you.

While crutches and walking sticks are ok, we are unfortunately unable to accommodate walking frames or rollators in seating areas or on a standing floor due to safety reasons in a potential evacuation situation. If you use one of these, then you will need to purchase tickets in one of our accessible bays or ramps.

Please note that we are unable to accommodate persons with a leg in a cast or full support into seating blocks regardless of whether a walking aid is used or not. This is for safety reasons in a potential evacuation situation. In these circumstances, you should contact the box office on 0800 6405001 prior to the event so you can be re-seated into one of our accessible bays or ramps. Reseating is subject to availability and unfortunately cannot always be guaranteed.

An in-house committee meets regularly to address services for disabled visitors, and regular audits of our building are undertaken in respect of access.

If you have any suggestions or comments you wish to make, please advise a member of staff. Alternatively, write to:

Visitor Experience Manager
The NEC
Birmingham
B40 1NT

Or email us at [email protected]

Mental health and wellbeing is hugely important to us at Arena Birmingham and we want everyone to feel welcome, safe and comfortable when attending an event here.

We are already looking after our employees through a range of methods, and it’s just as important to us that we look after those visiting too, where we can. 

We are in the process of training a selection of staff as Mental Health First Aiders to offer support to anyone needing it during a visit to one of our events and we have other initiatives planned – watch this space!

We appreciate that an Arena / Concert environment (as with all crowded spaces) can be overwhelming. So, if you or any friend/family member needs any support or time out during a visit to the Arena, please do make sure you speak to a member of staff.