Parking at First Direct Bank Arena, Leeds: car parks nearby

First Direct Bank Arena (formerly First Direct Arena) has no car park of its own. That is less of a problem than it sounds: according to the arena, there are more than 7,500 parking spaces within a 15-minute walk. The real question is which car park to choose, depending on whether you want to be as close as possible or get away quickly at the end.

The main car parks

The arena highlights three options. It does not run any of them, so any question about bookings or opening times should go to the operator.

• Merrion Centre car park (operated by CitiPark), on Merrion Way: right next to the arena, the closest option. The arena warns that you may face delays leaving because of traffic restrictions on Merrion Way after the show.
• Woodhouse Lane car park (run by Leeds City Council): a large multi-storey with around 1,270 spaces, which the arena recommends for its easy access to the ring road at the end of the show. It is a little further away on foot.
• Q-Park car parks in the city centre: the arena has a partnership with Q-Park offering a discount to show-goers who book through the link on its website. Q-Park Albion Street is the nearest with electric vehicle charging.

For sat navs, the arena gives the postcode LS2 8BY. It sits next to the A58(M) inner ring road.

Book ahead or turn up?

On sold-out nights the closest spaces go quickly. Pre-booking, offered by Q-Park through the arena's website, guarantees you a space and saves you circling the city centre before the doors open. Some private platforms also sell spaces near the arena: check the exact location before you pay.

Leaving after the show

This is where your choice of car park matters most:

• Merrion Centre is the closest, but traffic restrictions on Merrion Way can slow your exit;
• Woodhouse Lane gives quicker access to the ring road, at the cost of a slightly longer walk;
• road closures and diversions may be in place around the arena after events, so plan your route home in advance.

If you have a train to catch or a fixed time to be home, coming by train may be the better option: see our guide to getting to First Direct Bank Arena.

Drop-off and pick-up

The arena asks visitors not to be dropped off or picked up outside the venue, because of congestion. Agree a meeting point a few streets away with your driver. Blue Badge holders, including taxi passengers, can be dropped off at the turning circle on Elmwood Close.

Blue Badge parking

The arena's accessibility page lists:

• on-street Blue Badge bays on Elmwood Close (9 spaces), Tower House Street (7) and Brunswick Crescent (5), all within about 200 metres of the doors. Check the local signs for time limits;
• one minibus space on Brunswick Terrace, subject to availability, with a maximum stay of four hours;
• Blue Badge spaces in the Merrion Centre car park (four per level, about 110 metres from the doors) and in the Woodhouse Lane car park (on levels 1 and 7, about 650 metres away).

Before the show, see where to eat near the arena and the best seats at First Direct Bank Arena. After it, share your review.

Frequently asked questions

Does First Direct Bank Arena have a car park?

No. The arena has no car park of its own, but there are more than 7,500 spaces within a 15-minute walk, including the Merrion Centre and Woodhouse Lane car parks.

What is the closest car park to First Direct Bank Arena?

The Merrion Centre car park, on Merrion Way, run by CitiPark. Expect possible delays leaving because of traffic restrictions after the show.

Which car park is quickest to leave after a show in Leeds?

The arena recommends Woodhouse Lane car park, run by Leeds City Council, for its easy access to the ring road at the end of the show.

Where is Blue Badge parking at First Direct Bank Arena?

On-street bays on Elmwood Close, Tower House Street and Brunswick Crescent, plus Blue Badge spaces in the Merrion Centre and Woodhouse Lane car parks. Drop-off is at the Elmwood Close turning circle.