Accessibility

How do I book an accessible ticket?

All our accessible tickets are available to be purchased online AXS at https://www.axs.com/uk. When booking accessible tickets, please follow the below guide:

· When you are on the page of the event that you wish to attend, select ‘Get Tickets’ under ‘Wheelchair Tickets’ or ‘Ambulant Accessible tickets’.

Wheelchair tickets are located at the rear of Level 1 seated blocks (Blocks 101-109). These areas are ideal for wheelchair users or guests who require step free access, or additional space If your access requirements.

Ambulant tickets are standard seats with a limited number of steps. There is lift access to the rear of Level 1 and there are two steps per row from there.

. Choose the seat of your choice and then add the FREE personal assistant to the booking and click on select.

· The available tickets will then be highlighted on the interactive map to the right- please click to view and select your preferred area of seats

· Once selected, your choice of tickets will appear on the left, then click 'Checkout' and continue to follow the steps to make payment and secure your tickets.

If your access requirements are not met by the online booking system, please call 0113 877 8297 and the team will help to book your tickets.

Will I be asked to provide evidence to prove that I am entitled to bring an personal assistant with me?
Yes, because personal assistant tickets are issued free of charge measures are in place to prevent the system from being abused. After your purchase you will be contacted by our ticketing partner, AXS who will ask you to submit your proof of eligibility.
More information on the process and accepted accessible documentation can be found here. Your order may be cancelled if no supporting document is provided.

Will I need to provide evidence every time I book?
No, you will only be contacted if the evidence that you have previously supplied has expired or is no longer valid.

If you are having trouble booking accessible tickets online please contact AXS who should be able to assist by submitting a ticket and selecting 'Accessibility' as the contact reason.

Closest on-street disabled persons parking spaces are available at; Elmwood Close (9 spaces - 136m from doors), Tower House Street (7 spaces - 180m from doors), Jacob Street (2 spaces - 160m from doors).  Off street parking is available at: Woodhouse Lane Car Park (14 blue badge spaces on levels 1 & 7), CitiPark Merrion Centre (4 blue badge spaces on each level - 12 in total).  Along with an accessible minibus parking space (subject to availability) on Brunswick Terrace with 4hr max stay.

Please check local signs for time limit information.

Download the car park and disabled parking map

Leeds City Station is managed by Network Rail and provides accessible ticket machines and an accessible ticket office counter, an induction loop, ramp for train access plus assistance to and from platforms, disabled persons toilets and lifts or level access to all platforms.

National Express operates four Leeds bus and coach stations with the Dyer Street Coach Station owned and managed by Metro. They have introduced a dedicated team to help disabled customers – Tel. 08717 81 81 79 (option 4) – please call before booking and at least 36 hours in advance of when you want to travel.

All front entrance points are accessible and are staffed throughout the event by venue safety stewards. Please speak to any member of staff if you have any questions. On entering the venue through our accessible entrance, you will receive a leaflet explaining our emergency procedures.

first direct arena has been designed to be accessible to everyone.  The following provisions have been made in terms of entrance arrangements:

• Lifts are available to take you down to floor seating Blocks A onwards, up to level 2 Blocks 101 – 109, 210 - 220 and up to level 4 Blocks 321 - 333.
• Escalators are also available up to levels 2 – 4, Blocks 101 - 109, 210 - 220 & 321 - 333.
• Wheelchairs are available to borrow on entry for short distances to your seat (subject to availability)
• An Accessible Entrance is to the right of our main doors; the queue here is often quieter than the main entrance, and it’s the closest entrance to the lift.

We welcome guests with registered assistance dogs and are committed to making your experience comfortable and accessible. 

Our policy applies to all registered ADUK Assistance Dogs. We aim to provide flexibility to meet your needs and ensure that your assistance dog is accommodated comfortably.

Assistance Dogs for Disabled Guests:

- Your assistance dog is welcome to stay with you in your purchased seat as long as it can fit under the seat and does not block walkways.
- If more space is needed, we can move you and your assistance dog to an accessible platform area to provide greater comfort, subject to availability.
- If you prefer, our staff will happily look after your assistance dog at our Info Point during the event, we have a water bowl, rope, and waste bags available.

Emotional Support Dogs:

We also welcome other trained assistance dogs. In this case, as we would not have a registration document to demonstrate the dog’s level of training, we need to ask that you confirm the following. In order that we can allow them entry to an event, you must be able to guarantee that your dog complies with the following:

- The dog can sit quietly and remain calm amid the event’s usual noise and activity.
- The dog is trained not to toilet inside the venue (staff are not responsible for clean-up).
- The dog will not approach or jump on other guests.
- The dog must wear an identifying lead, harness, or coat as an assistance dog.
- Loud sounds and special effects may be part of the event; the dog owner is responsible for assessing if the environment is appropriate for the dog’s welfare.

The Equality and Human Rights Commission defines assistance dogs as highly trained animals that:

- Stay with their owner and do not wander freely in the venue.
- Sit or lie quietly beside their owner.
- Are unlikely to foul in public places.

If your assistance dog cannot meet these guidelines, we may ask you to take them out of the venue. Please discuss with us any seating needs or adjustments we can make to ensure a positive experience for you and your assistance dog.

Note: Pet dogs are not permitted in the venue.

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For any further assistance or questions regarding accessibility, please contact us in advance, and we will be happy to help with arrangements that suit your needs.

Seats are reserved close to the stage/performance area for visually impaired customers for all events at the Arena, the exact location of these seats varies for each show. These seats are strictly limited (subject to availability) and booking in advance is essential.

Guide dogs are welcome in the arena. A number of seats in the arena do incorporate extra space to the front of them, should you want your assistance dog with you in the arena. An extra area will be allocated for your assistance dog toilet, please ask a member of staff for information.

If you are pregnant or need specialist medical care you are advised to get advice from your GP or consultant before attending an event.

Accessible toilets are available on all levels of the Arena, with the majority of these being RADAR key operated. In addition to these, ambulant accessible toilets, which are slightly larger than standard toilet cubicles, have an outward opening door, and grab rails. These are available within the main male and female toilet provisions on all concourse levels.

A changing Places Toilet is provided just off the ground floor concourse. This is a facility for people with multiple disabilities, who need extra facilities and to allow them to use the toilet comfortably. The Changing Places Toilet at the first direct arena incorporates a height-adjustable adult-sized changing bench, a tracking hoist system, a height-adjustable basin, a centrally-placed toilet, adequate space for a disabled person and up to two companions, and a large waste bin. The Changing Places Toilet is locked using a RADAR lock. Please note that a sling for the hoist system is not provided. Further information on this facility can be provided if required.

External food and beverages are not permitted to be brought inside the arena unless you have a valid medical exemption or need to bring baby milk.

Food and beverages are available at our concessionary stands, which are located on each concourse in the arena; these are fully accessible with a low counter. Our merchandise stands are also equipped with a low counter for accessible guests. There are no priority queues for any kiosks or stands, but please speak to a member of staff if you struggle with queuing and require any assistance.

An RF induction loop is installed which gives coverage throughout the Arena. Customers are advised to go to the Information Desk, which is in the main atrium by the main doors, on arrival for a receiver.

Customers that require a BSL interpreter, audio description, or other facilities of this nature can request one by contacting the first direct arena accessibility team at accessibility@firstdirectarena.com as soon as possible and the arena team will endeavour to make those arrangements.

first direct arena has been designed to be accessible for everyone. Access to the upper tier of seating (BLK 321 and above) may require the negotiation of steep steps and so may not be suitable for some people with mobility problems, the front of BLK 321 is 19m from ground level and rises to 29m at the rear of the block.

There is a platform of seating across blocks 101-104 and blocks 106-109 which is suitable for wheelchair users and guests who require step-free access, alongside their companion.     

When booking please make our staff aware of any access requirements to ensure we secure the most suitable seats/location for you.

Please contact our accessible team on accessibility@firstdirectarena.com as soon as possible if you require a BSL interpreter at one of our events, and our team will endeavour to make arrangements for an interpreter.

Please see below the width of our seats in various locations: 

1. Seat floor blocks A-P, seat width 42cm with no armrest

2. Seated Blocks 101-333, seat width 46cm, armrests that don’t move 

3. Seats on the accessible platform, seat width 44cm with no armrest

There is not a designated permanent quiet space or prayer room, but we recommend that guests speak to the team at our Information Desk, in the main atrium, if either of these facilities are required, as they can find a quieter and more private room that can be used.

Large print running times can be provided when requested in advance. If you require this, please contact us at least 72 hours in advance by emailing accessibility@firstdirectarena.com. 

accessibility@firstdirectarena.com

Our postal address is first direct arena, Arena Way, Leeds, LS2 8BY

Our box office is open 1hr before doors on show days only. Please see our event calendar here.