Parking at the AO Arena: on-site car park, Blue Badge and park and ride

The AO Arena is in the heart of Manchester city centre, next to the Inner Ring Road, and it has its own multi-storey car park. Driving is possible, but the arena itself warns that the surrounding roads are very busy at peak times and that roadworks around the city centre can slow journeys down. If you drive, book ahead and leave plenty of time, or leave the car at a park and ride site and finish the journey by tram.

The on-site car park (CitiPark)

The arena's official parking partner is CitiPark, which operates the on-site car park with a capacity of 958 spaces, including accessible bays. Spaces can be pre-booked on the CitiPark website, through the link on the arena's "How to find us" page.

On show nights, the car park is staffed by an events team that patrols regularly, and it holds the Park Mark award for safety. For the sat nav, use the arena's postcode, M3 1AR; the car park entrance is near the Trinity Way entrance of the arena.

Coming from the car park, the arena's accessibility page explains that you go through the security scanners and then take a lift up to the City Rooms entrance (Entrance C).

After the show: the Trinity Way closure

This is the point to know before you park. After concerts, Trinity Way is closed southbound between Great Ducie Street and Cheetham Hill Road for up to one hour, so that the crowd can leave the venue safely.

If you have parked in the official CitiPark car park, you can still leave during the closure, but you must turn right and follow local diversions. Plan your route home with that in mind, and expect slow traffic in the first hour after the show.

Blue Badge parking

The car park has 40 Blue Badge bays. They cannot be booked and are allocated on a first come, first served basis: show your Blue Badge to an attendant, who will direct you to a free bay if one is available. Dropping off a passenger inside the car park is possible free of charge. The arena advises anyone with mobility issues to arrive as early as possible.

Park and ride: leave the car outside the centre

To avoid city-centre traffic, the arena recommends Metrolink's free park and ride sites, which you can use with a valid tram ticket. It lists, among others:

• Ladywell (Pilgrims Way, Salford), from the west;
• Hollinwood (Hudson Street, Failsworth);
• Ashton Moss (Alexandria Drive, Ashton-under-Lyne), from the east;
• Sale Water Park (Rifle Road, Sale), from the south.

From each site, take the tram to the city centre and on to the Victoria stop, right beneath the arena (some journeys require a change at St Peter's Square). Check the number of spaces and the time of the last tram back on the Bee Network website.

Coaches

Manchester City Council provides short-stay on-street stops for coaches dropping off and picking up near city-centre venues, as well as coach parks that can be booked in advance. Details are on the council's website.

Other car parks

There are other public car parks around the city centre, notably near Shudehill and the Northern Quarter, as well as private spaces bookable through parking apps. Check the exact location and the exit conditions before paying: a car park on the other side of the closed section of Trinity Way can mean a long wait after the show.

For the rest of your evening, see our guides to getting to the AO Arena by public transport, where to eat nearby and the best seats.

Frequently asked questions

Is there a car park at the AO Arena?

Yes. CitiPark runs the arena's on-site car park, with 958 spaces including accessible bays. Spaces can be pre-booked on the CitiPark website.

Can I book a Blue Badge space at the AO Arena?

No. The 40 Blue Badge bays cannot be booked: they are allocated on a first come, first served basis by an attendant when you show your badge. Drop-off inside the car park is free.

Are there road closures after a show at the AO Arena?

Yes. Trinity Way is closed southbound between Great Ducie Street and Cheetham Hill Road for up to an hour after concerts. Drivers leaving the CitiPark car park must turn right and follow local diversions.

Where is the nearest park and ride for the AO Arena?

The arena suggests Ladywell, Hollinwood, Ashton Moss or Sale Water Park, depending on where you come from. Parking there is free with a valid Metrolink ticket, and trams take you to the Victoria stop beneath the arena.