AO Arena (with kids)
How Kids-Friendly is AO Arena?
What makes it 78% Kids-Friendly: Disney On Ice, Globetrotters and child ticket rules suit ages 3–12; baby-changing and toilets help, yet steep seating, high volume and compulsory adult supervision need ear protection and planning.
Positives:
- Family facilities: Accessible and family toilets, plus a private Changing Places room on request.
- Ticket rules: Children aged 2+ need their own ticket; under-14s must stay with an adult.
Challenges:
- Crowds and queues: Lines build at entry and snacks—arrive early to avoid waits.
- Noise levels: Shows can be loud; bring ear protection if sensitive.
- Late end times: Evening performances may finish after 8 pm—plan for bedtime.
What is AO Arena?
- A multi-purpose indoor arena in Manchester city centre with a maximum capacity of 21,000
- Features a flexible seating bowl and configurable stage layouts that accommodate events from concerts to sports fixtures
- Exhibits a contemporary steel-and-glass envelope topped by a sweeping canopy and a column-free interior for unobstructed sightlines
What is so special about AO Arena for with kids?
- Live family-focused shows like Disney On Ice or Harlem Globetrotters
- Family-pack tickets keep 4 seats together with savings
- Concession stands offer kid-sized snack portions
- Free arena Wi-Fi lets you stay connected
- Accessible and family restroom facilities across levels
Recommended visit duration: 2-3 hours
Why 2-3 hours visit duration is ideal for with kids: A live event lasts about 2 hours; allow extra time for entry, breaks, and grabbing snacks.
Kids-Friendly Activities in AO Arena
See Disney On Ice: Find Your Hero:
Watch Mickey, Elsa, Moana and friends perform on ice in a 90-minute family show.
Tip: Book a family-pack early online to secure side-by-side seats at a discounted rate.
Catch the Harlem Globetrotters:
Enjoy basketball tricks and comedy suited to all ages in a fun 2-hour performance.
Tip: Check seating layout for lower-tier seats close to the action; kids love court-side views.
Grab kid-friendly snacks:
Visit concession stands offering child-sized portions, popcorn and soft drinks.
Tip: Go at show start or half-time to avoid long queue peaks.
Use free arena Wi-Fi:
Connect on concourse levels to stream short videos or check show info.
Tip: Login once at entry and save the network for quick reconnection during breaks.
How to Make the Most of Your Visit to AO Arena
- Book early: Reserve family-pack or adjacent seats online to keep your group together.
- Plan restroom stops: Locate family toilets on a map before the show to minimize wandering.
- Stagger snack runs: Send one adult at show start and one at half-time to cut queue waits.
Reviews of AO Arena
Adrian Grinyer
the queueing experience wasn’t great… thankfully we got redirected to the trinity tunnel entrance pretty quickly, even with seated tickets, which got us into the arena way faster than going through any of the other entrances. before this though, queueing along two busy main roads (trinity way and the a56) felt horrifically unsafe and the fact they don’t have concrete barriers separating the paveme...
Joseph Newman
My experience was very positive. Plenty of staff available, safe and swift entry, and plenty of bars available with fast service. The AI ’Frictionless’ bar was a bit strange and prices didn’t seem to be advertised, just to feed that back. I’d highly recommend a concert here.
Emily Clatworthy
Little to no queues. It was easy to find our seats, and nicely air conditions so didn't get too stuffy. Lighting and sound was great too.
Tanya Jones
Had a brilliant night watching Sean Paul and Ashanti. The atmosphere was electric. The DJ was so good and had the crowd warmed up before the acts came on. It was quick to get into the arena, and parking was much cheaper than parking in the other car parks outside. It cost £12 at the arena and a short lift ride to the arena floor. Staff were efficient directing people to their seats. Toilets w...
Clay Johnson
My daughter and I recently attended Taemin's last European tour date at the AO Arena, and it was magnificent - the venue, the show, the evening. To be honest, I'm not sure if the quality of the show elevated the nature of the arena. Either way, it was a lovely setting. Worth mentioning is it's situated within the Victoria Station complex. This made it so easily accessible by train and tram servic...
When is the best time to visit AO Arena (Manchester, United Kingdom)?
Check AO Arena’s events calendar 2+ months ahead. December brings Disney On Ice; spring may feature Harlem Globetrotters. Book holiday shows early.
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Typical Budget for a Family of 4 (2 Adults + 2 Kids)
| Item | Cost (Approx.) |
|---|---|
| 4 standard event tickets | GBP 140 |
| Snacks and drinks | GBP 20 |
| Total Estimated | GBP 160 |
Note: All prices are indicative and may vary. Please check directly with the venue for the most accurate and up-to-date information.
Content Notice: This content combines editorial expertise with AI assistance to ensure comprehensive and up-to-date information. Our team regularly curates and reviews all content for accuracy and relevance. Help Us Improve
Map of AO Arena
Address: Victoria Station Approach, Hunts Bank, Cheetham Hill, Manchester M3 1AR, UK
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