Our final home game of the regular 2024 season is almost here, and it’s BIG! As we prepare for the biggest game of the regular Netball Super League season with our AO Netball Manchester Live event the AO Arena on Sunday 2nd June vs London Pulse, below we detail everything you need to know ahead of the game, from how to buy tickets, where to go when you arrive, what you can and can’t bring with you, detailed timings and more!
Date:
Sunday 2nd June 2024
How to Book Tickets:
Tickets are available to purchase online until 12pm on Sunday 2nd June 2024 via our ticketing partner Ticketline by clicking here.
If you are looking to purchase group tickets (10 or more) please click here.
There will be a very limited amount of tickets available on the door, and you will be able to pay using card or cash.
Collecting Tickets:
If you have booked your tickets through Ticketline, they will send you your tickets via email. Please print these out and bring them with you or have them on your phone ready to be scanned.
If you have been instructed to collect your tickets from the venue, when you arrive please head over to the ticket desk where we will be able to help you.
Arrival:
The AO Arena is located within the Victoria Station complex in the city centre, on the corner of Trinity Way, Hunts Bank and Great Ducie Street.
Driving:
If you are driving, the postcode is M3 1AR. Official parking partners of the Arena CitiPark operate the on-site car park and has a capacity of 958 spaces, including accessible bays which can be prebooked by visiting their website. On show nights, the car park is manned by an events team who work to ensure that parking at the venue is as simple and easy as possible. They conduct regular patrols of the car park and the car park also has the Park Mark award for safety. If you’re travelling from further afield, then why not avoid the city centre traffic and drop your car at one of several free Park and Ride sites.
Metrolink:
Due to engineering works, there’s going to be no trams operating through Victoria.
The Bury, Rochdale, East Didsbury and Airport lines will be affected, and bus replacement services will be in operation between affected stops.
If you’re taking the bus, Shudehill bus station is only a five-minute walk from the Arena and Piccadilly bus station just 10 minutes away. Manchester’s free city centre FreeBus service also links Victoria station with other areas of the centre, including Piccadilly station.
AO Arena Bag Policy:
Please keep personal belongings to a minimum. One small bag per person is permitted, note that shopping bags, backpacks, travel cases, laptop bags and large tote bags are not permitted inside the arena.
There are no storage facilities at the venue and the venue is not responsible for late admission or non-admission due to failure to comply.
The bag size limits are as follows:
- All bags larger than 30cm wide x 40cm long x 20cm deep (approx. A3 sized) are strictly prohibited.
- Backpacks are not permitted and there is no facility to store prohibited items.
- Bags that can be worn on the back must not exceed 30cm wide x 20cm long x 20cm deep (approx. A4 sized).
Searching and Screening:
AO Arena take the safety and security of all their visitors very seriously. Please ensure you arrive in plenty of time to pass through our security checks and familiarise yourself with the security information below.
AO Arena security teams are there for your safety. Please cooperate fully with all security checks and support these vital team members of our team as they carry out important work to keep us all safe.
Security screening is a condition of entry to protect your safety and that of others. They have partnered with EVOLV TECHNOLOGY a state of the art security screening system that uses AI to scan people in real time.
This new system scans the contents of bags without you having to remove any personal belongings. It is safe for guests with medical conditions and pacemakers.
They have a number of additional security measures in place throughout the arena which help them to improve guest experience and keep you safe so please don’t be alarmed if you notice additional resource supporting them at the arena. In addition to the high visibility security measures in place, they also employ a range of less visible methods to keep you safe and work with a number of partners who are experts in their field.
Accessibility:
AO Arena is an Attitude is Everything GOLD standard venue, offering a warm and friendly welcome to everyone with excellent levels of service.
All of their customer facing staff have undertaken Deaf and disability awareness training and will always do their best to ensure your visit is both enjoyable and safe.
If you have any questions ahead of your visit, please feel free to contact their accessibility team on [email protected]. The team are briefed and trained on accessibility awareness and will endeavour to help you should you require any additional support or information. They aim to contact customers within a maximum of five working days.
Prohibited Items List:
For your safety and enjoyment, the AO Arena carefully manage the items that can brought into the venue for an event. The list below includes examples of prohibited items, please note that this list in not exhaustive and other items may be refused at the point of entry.
- Glass, cans, aluminium bottles or thermoses of any kind including liquid products which can be consumed.
- Flammable liquids in any container
- Laser pens/pointers
- Video cameras, recording devices and professional cameras
- Laptop computers, tablet devices, Go Pro’s or tablets with filming and recording capabilities
- Large/golf/metal tipped umbrellas
- Knives or weapons of any kind
- Illegal drugs or substances. The AO Arena has a zero tolerance policy toward drug use. Searches will be in operation, as well as sniffer dogs for some events.
- Alcoholic beverages
- Signs, banners or flags on poles, staffs or selfie sticks
- Animals (except ADUK registered service dogs)
- Air horns, whistles, cowbells or other noise-making distractions
- Projectiles (frisbees, beach balls, footballs etc)
- Aerosol cans (hairspray, deodorant etc )
- Fireworks, confetti, glitter bombs or flares
- Balloons
- Use of wheeled footwear, skateboards
- Food and drinks
- Helmets and full face masks
- Large studs and chains
Timings:
3.30pm – Doors open
4.15pm – Celebrity Charity Showcase game starts – raising money for We Love MCR Charity
(The charity showcase is included in the cost of your ticket)
5.05pm – Celebrity Charity Showcase game ends
(The game is made up of 4 x 8 minute quarters, with a 4 minute break between quarters 1 and 3, and a 10 minute break at half time.)
6.00pm – Main NSL game: Manchester Thunder vs London Pulse
6.34pm – Half time (12 mins)
7.20pm – Main game ends
7.25pm – POTM presentation
7.30pm – Player signatures and pictures (20 mins)
8.00pm – Spectators must have left the arena
The game is made up of 4 x 15 minute quarters, with a 4 minute break between quarters 1 and 3, and a 12 minute break at half time.
The game is scheduled to finish at 7.20pm, where we will be announcing our Player of the Match. Once players have warmed down, there will be an opportunity to line up along the side of the court and take selfies and get autographs from the Thunder players. Don’t forget to tag us! @thundernetball
Behaviour:
The AO Arena prides itself on being a fun and safe environment for everyone. And we ask that you act responsibly and with consideration to other visitors, giving them time and space where possible to move around the venue.
Anti-social behaviour towards other guests and staff is not tolerated and any problems should be reported immediately to one of the uniformed stewards. They will either be able to rectify the situation straight away or refer the problem to Customer Services, located at the Hunts Banks entrance on the concourse.
If you encounter an issue which is making your experience less enjoyable, please report it to a steward or member of staff as soon as possible.
Food and Beverage Options:
There are numerous stalls located around the concourse on site with a good selection of food and drinks including alcoholic beverages.
Merchandise:
A full range of Manchester Thunder merchandise is on sale in the merchandise stall, plus fan favourites foam hands, hats and scarves to support Manchester Thunder. We will also be selling souvenir programmes as well as glow in the dark neon tambourines and wands.
More Information:
If you have any questions, please email [email protected].
