Parking at the OVO Hydro: SEC multi-storey, Blue Badge and drop-off

The OVO Hydro is one of the easier UK arenas to reach by car: it sits just off the M8 motorway, with a large multi-storey car park on the campus. The catch is the exit after the show, when the car park and the Clydeside Expressway fill up at the same time, and Glasgow's Low Emission Zone if you come through the city centre.

The SEC multi-storey car park

The main car park is the multi-storey at 10 Stobcross Road, G3 8GS, which is operated by Glasgow City Council. Key points:

• height restriction of 2 metres: drivers of taller vehicles should contact the council's parking services for alternatives;
• pay before you exit: the tariff must be paid before leaving;
• bays cannot be reserved for individual use;
• an accessible walkway links the car park directly to the campus, with lifts to every level of the car park and to the walkway.

According to the SEC, the car park is about 128 metres from the Hydro's south entrance. Use the postcode G3 8GS in your sat nav rather than the arena's own postcode.

How to get there by car

The SEC gives these directions: leave the M8 at junction 19 and join the westbound Clydeside Expressway (A814). Take the slip road signposted SEC East, turn left at the traffic lights, then keep to the right-hand lane to enter the multi-storey.

Glasgow's Low Emission Zone

Since 1 June 2023, Glasgow city centre has had a Low Emission Zone (LEZ). If your route to the SEC goes through the city centre, your vehicle may be subject to a charge: the SEC asks drivers to check their route and their vehicle's compliance before travelling.

Leaving after the show

When a sold-out show ends, thousands of people leave the campus at once. A few habits help:

• note your level in the car park;
• if you are not in a hurry, wait a little before heading to the car rather than queuing with the engine running;
• if you have a train or a deadline, consider leaving the car at home: Exhibition Centre station is linked to the campus by a covered walkway.

Blue Badge parking and accessible drop-off

The multi-storey is also the main car park for accessible parking, with designated Blue Badge bays on levels 0 to 4. From the car park, the SEC gives a distance of about 109 metres to the Hydro's East accessible entrance, which is the closest. The walkway and car park lifts make the route step-free.

When Congress Road is closed to public vehicles during events at the Hydro, a dedicated drop-off and pick-up area operates at the rear of the SEC Centre. An accessible shuttle runs from there to within 130 metres of the Hydro's south main entrance, and accessible toilets are within 50 metres of the drop-off zone. All longer-term parking must be in the multi-storey.

Other options

Ticketmaster mentions a number of other public car parks near the SEC, and parking apps list private spaces around Finnieston. Check the location and the exit route before paying. The SEC also notes that it cannot accommodate residential parking.

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

Frequently asked questions

Where do I park for the OVO Hydro?

In the SEC multi-storey car park at 10 Stobcross Road, G3 8GS, operated by Glasgow City Council. It is linked to the campus by an accessible walkway, about 128 metres from the Hydro's south entrance.

Can I book a parking space at the OVO Hydro?

No. According to the SEC, car parking bays cannot be reserved for individual use. You pay the tariff before leaving.

What is the height limit at the SEC car park?

2 metres. Drivers of taller vehicles should contact the council's parking services for alternatives.

Is there accessible parking at the OVO Hydro?

Yes. The multi-storey has Blue Badge bays on levels 0 to 4, about 109 metres from the Hydro's East accessible entrance. An accessible drop-off area with a shuttle also operates during Hydro events.