We are only 24 hours away from Netball Manchester Live 2022, where we will reignite one of the greatest rivalries around, as three-times champions Manchester Thunder welcome the league’s newest team, Leeds Rhinos.
The battle of the Roses takes place on Saturday 12th March 2022 and netballers, netball fans and anyone who loves an afternoon of entertainment and top class sport won’t want to miss it.
We have put together a guide of everything you need to know:
Tickets
Tickets are still available to purchase online right up until the start of the event from Ticketline and Ticketmaster.
Tickets will also be available to purchase on the door on the day from 2pm. You will be able to buy tickets from the box office located in City Room (off Victoria Station.)
Game Schedule
14.00 – Doors open
15.30 – Curtain Raiser: Thunder U21s vs Rhinos U21s
17.30 – VNSL Game: Manchester Thunder vs Leeds Rhinos
The event is scheduled to finish around 18.50.
Bag Policy
Please keep personal belongings to a minimum and only bring essentials with you. Do not bring backpacks (including bags that can be worn like a backpack) or large bags as these will not be permitted into the arena. You are allowed to bring small bags or handbags no larger than 35cm x 40cm x 19cm (approx. an A3 piece of paper).
There are no storage facilities for bags within the venue and it will be left to the ticketholder to find a safe temporary facility to hold them. The venue will not be responsible for late admission or non-admission as a result of this policy.
COVID-19 Policy
In accordance with the government’s removal of Plan B measures, from Thursday 27 January, face masks are no longer mandatory and COVID passes are no longer required for those who are attending events. We do all still have a shared responsibility to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 and the government has advised that you must not attend an event if you have tested positive or if you are required to self-isolate.
For more information, please see the AO Arena website.
In accordance with the government regulations, face masks are no longer mandatory, however you can still wear one if you prefer to.
Please act responsibly and with consideration to other visitors, giving them time and space where possible to move around the venue, understanding that some people may have different requirements to your own.
The AO Arena have partnered with Lifebuoy to ensure that high quality hand sanitiser is available throughout the venue.
How to Get to the Arena
The AO Arena is located in Manchester city-centre, on the corner of Trinity Way, Hunts Bank and Great Ducie Street and adjacent to Victoria Station.
There is a 978 capacity multi-storey CitiPark car park on Victoria Station site and approximately 3,500 spaces within a 10 minutes walk of the venue.
There has been lots of building work in areas around the AO Arena in the last few years, and we would advise checking your routes, as well as your preferred parking areas.
We’re also well served by public transport from buses, trains and trams and there is a taxi rank outside Victoria Station.
For more details, check their How To Find Us page.
Pre-Booking Parking
You can pre-book your parking for the on site CitiPark car park by visiting their website.
Arrival Information
We strongly recommend you arrive early so as not to miss any of the show as our additional security checks take time to pass through. The doors open for the event from 14.00.
There are three main entrances, however only City Room (off Victoria Station) will be open on the day. This entrance is also accessible via a lift.
Payments In The Venue
The AO Arena is a cashless venue. They’ll only accept contactless or card payments.
Food and Drink
No food or drink items are to be taken into the AO Arena. Only food and drink items purchased on the premises are to be consumed in AO Arena.
If you have any specific dietary or medical requirements, please speak to the steward at the door upon arrival and contact us in advance of your visit if you have any questions.
They have a large and varied number of refreshment stands offering a variety of hot and cold food and drinks, including alcoholic beverages. The Arena supports Challenge 25. Please be drink aware and make sure you have a great night out.
The Arena donates all non-perishable goods that are not permitted into the arena to The Booth Centre. The Booth Centre is recognised as being one of the country’s leading day centres for homeless people. In 2010 the Centre came second in the National Day Centre of the Year awards and was given Champion status by the department of Communities and Local Government in recognition of their pioneering work to reduce the number of rough sleepers in Manchester.
What You Can Buy
Official Manchester Thunder merchandise will be available inside the venue, as well as a souvenir programme. We also have activities including face painting on the concourse.
Cameras in the Arena
AO Arena’s standard policy dictates that anything with a 35mm+ lens, detachable zoom lens, audio, and video recording cameras are not allowed.
Small cameras are permitted. We do not recommend that you bring selfie sticks into the arena as the use of these can disrupt the experience of other patrons.
Smoking at the Arena
The AO Arena have a policy of no re-admission to the venue. If you leave to smoke, you won’t be able to come back in.
If you have any other questions, please visit the FAQ section on the AO Arena.