Birmingham
🏟️ Address: Utilita Arena Birmingham, King Edwards Road, Birmingham, United Kingdom Directions in Google Maps
The Utilita Arena is right in the middle of central Birmingham, and so it is very well-connected to the rest of the city and the wider United Kingdom. Though you can get close to the venue by car, nearby parking is often expensive, and the venue itself falls within Birmingham's Clean Air Zone. It is therefore recommended that you use public transport and the city's well-used towpaths.
Below you can find general information on travel and parking for Utilita Arena Birmingham. Individual events may have additional/restricted services available, and so we recommend clicking through to the event and viewing the Travel & Parking tab for event-specific information.
Located in the centre of Birmingham, the venue is easy to get to by car, but busy traffic means you should leave plenty of time for your journey. It is also worth noting that the Utilita Arena falls within the city's new Clean Air Zone, so check whether you will incur any fees before you travel.
There are more than 2,000 parking spaces at the venue itself, and it is recommended that you book a space in advance on the Arena's official website. Other nearby car parks include the Q-Park at Brindleyplace, which is a 290 m (3 min) walk from the venue and includes an electric car charging station, and the Paradise Circus Car Park, which is a 550 m (7 min) walk away. Neither car park is free to use. There is also another electric car charging station to the south of the venue on Oozells Way – a 600 m (7 min) walk from the Arena.
Blue badge parking for disabled visitors or visitors with specific accessibility needs is located on Level 11 of the venue car park. There are direct lifts to the Arena entrances from there.
The venue's proximity to Birmingham city centre means there is no shortage of city-wide bus routes at its doorstep:
For visitors from outside Birmingham, Digbeth coach station is a 2.4 km (29 min) walk away, or 10 minutes in a taxi. The coach station is used by many travel companies, including National Express. Other coaches (e.g. Megabus) also stop within a short walk of the venue.
Birmingham New Street station is the city's primary train station, located a 1.4 km (17 min) walk from the Utilita Arena. It connects a host of routes and lines, and can be used by local Midlands residents, and visitors from all over the UK. There is a taxi rank outside the station if needed, but the walk to the Arena is pleasant, and takes you through the city centre and along stretches of canal.
Moor Street station, just a 450 m (5 min) walk around the corner from New Street, primarily serves the suburbs of Birmingham and the wider Midlands, but it does also have services to London stations and other select cities.
Although Birmingham is the second biggest city in England after London, its prices for food and accommodation are not nearly as high. While there are a few high-end luxury hotels in the city centre and other inner-city neighbourhoods, there are plenty of budget hotels too. As the city is becoming more and more popular with tourists, there’s a number of hostels cropping up throughout too.
There are several food and drink outlets within the venue, serving cuisine ranging from burgers and beer, to fish and chips, pizza, and even shawarma!
Food and drink cannot be brought into Arena Birmingham from outside, however, if you have a dietary or medical reason for doing so please email feedback@necgroup.co.uk in advance of your arrival.
Free drinking water is available from the medical centre in Block 2, as well as from most food and drink outlets inside the venue.
Doors open at different times depending on the type of event being help at the Arena. It is recommended that you check your specific ticket.
Baby change facilities are available at every male and female toilet within the venue.
Accessibility
Entrances C and G, at the south and north of the venue, are suitable for wheelchairs and the ambulant disabled.
The Arena holds a very limited number of manual wheelchairs, should you need to borrow one. It is advised that you bring your own if possible, however, as they are only available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Toilets
Disabled toilets can be found just inside entrances C and G, as well as near the box office, at the east of the venue.
Assistance dogs
Assistance dogs are welcome at the venue, but visitors should make the box office staff aware when making a booking - this can be done by ringing 0800-640-5001. The venue does not recommend bringing dogs to loud events.
Hearing loops
There is an extensive hearing assistance system in operation around all parts of the venue - speak to a member of staff to acquire a lanyard and earpiece if required.
If you happen to have a canal boat, then you can practically take it inside with you! The Utilita Arena is surrounded by canals, and the picturesque Gas Street Basin, a popular berth, and is only a 600 m (7 min) walk from the venue.
The towpaths are perfect for cycling, and there several cycle racks around the city - just watch out for low canal bridges!
The closest bike racks to the Arena are directly outside the north end of the venue, just off King Edwards Road.
The canals around the Arena mean walking is a great option, whichever direction you're coming from. The locale is highly pedestrianised and the venue is situated in one of the city centre's most picturesque areas. Do be careful leaving events in the evening, however; although the canal towpaths are largely well-lit and often busy, they have minimal barriers by the water's edge, and paths can be slippy in wet weather.
Utilita Arena Birmingham has a capacity of approximately 15,800. However, the capacity does differ between events depending on the seating configuration.
King Edwards Road, Birmingham, , United Kingdom.
