At a glance
- Co-op Live in Manchester holds 23,500 with a standing floor, about 7,500 of them standing. All-seated, it holds 20,500.
- The first digit of a block is the level: the 100s are Level 1 and the 300s are Level 3. Level 2 is premium, and Level 4 holds two lounges.
- Under-16s cannot use the standing floor, and anyone aged 14 or under must be with an adult aged 18 or over.
- Tickets are scanned from the Co-op Live app. The arena is cashless, and you can bring one bag no larger than A4.
- The Etihad Campus tram stop is next to the arena. Velopark and Holt Town stops close after events.
- Level 0, the floor: Standing at most concerts. No under-16s.
- Level 1: Lower tier, blocks in the 100s. The best all-round choice.
- Level 2: Premium seats with their own bars and dining.
- Level 3: Upper tier, blocks in the 300s. Three steps per row.
- Level 4: OVO and Sky lounges overlooking the stage.
Simple plan, not to scale.
The Co-op Live seating plan has five levels, and the first digit of your block gives your level. Level 0 is the standing floor, Level 1 (the 100s) the lower tier, Level 2 premium, Level 3 (the 300s) the upper tier and Level 4 the lounges. For most fans, Level 1 is the best buy.
Dates and sale status for every show are on the Co-op Live tickets page. For other arenas, browse all UK venues.
How does the Co-op Live seating plan work?
The Co-op Live seating plan works by level and block, so ignore the shape of the map and read the digits. A block is a numbered section of seats. Block 112 is on Level 1, and Block 323 is on Level 3.
Co-op Live stands on the Etihad Campus beside Manchester City’s stadium, at 1 Sport City Way, M11 3DL. It opened on 14 May 2024. Ticketmaster is its official ticketing partner and sells every level.
| Level | What it is | Blocks | Good for | Know before you book |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 0 | Arena floor, standing at most concerts | General admission, so no seat number | Getting close to the act | No under-16s, and no canes, wheelchairs or crutches |
| Level 1 | Lower tier around the floor | 102 to 114 | The best mix of distance, height and comfort | Fan Services desk opposite Block 112 |
| Level 2 | Premium level | Sold as premium seats | A night out with its own bars and dining | Home of the Encore Restaurant |
| Level 3 | Upper tier | Such as 307, 314 and 323 | Taking in the whole production from above | Three steps per row. Handrails in every block, but not continuous |
| Level 4 | Lounges overlooking the stage | OVO and Sky lounges | OVO Live and Sky VIP customers | Each lounge has its own seats |
A block with AP after the number, such as 109AP, is an accessible platform, not rows of seats. Your block, row and seat appear on the ticket in the Co-op Live app.
What is the capacity of Co-op Live?
Co-op Live holds 23,500 people with a standing floor, which makes it the largest indoor arena in the UK. About 7,500 of those stand on the floor. Wikipedia gives 20,500 for an all-seated layout.
Some seats on Levels 0 and 1 retract, which lets the arena switch between the two layouts. So check whether your ticket says standing, or gives you a block and row on the floor.
Where are the best seats at Co-op Live?
The best seats at Co-op Live for most people are on Level 1, the lowest ring of fixed seats. You sit just above the floor crowd and as close to the stage as a fixed seat gets. Fan Services, the arena’s help desk, is opposite Block 112 if a ticket goes wrong.
- Best for being close: the standing floor, if everyone in your group is 16 or over.
- Best for the whole show: Level 3, which puts the lights, the screens and the floor crowd in one view.
- Best with children: Level 1. Under-16s cannot stand, and Level 3’s steps are hard work for small legs.
- Best for a special night: Level 2 or a Level 4 lounge.
- Not for you if heights worry you: Level 3. If nothing else is left, look at another date before you book.
Is Level 3 at Co-op Live too steep?
Level 3 at Co-op Live is steep: each row is three steps higher than the one in front. The handrails in each block stop and start, so take your time on the way down. A second Fan Services point sits behind Block 323.
How can you see the view from your seat at Co-op Live?
To see the view from your seat at Co-op Live, use the interactive seat map on the arena’s website or the Co-op Live Virtual Venue, an official online model. Both work best once you know where the stage is for your show. Follow these steps in order:
- Find your show on the arena’s events page and open the Ticketmaster link.
- Find the stage on that show’s plan, because the stage end decides which blocks face it.
- Compare two or three blocks on the interactive seat map or in the Virtual Venue.
- Look at fans’ photos on sites such as A View From My Seat. A photo shows one show’s stage, so use it as a rough guide.
Searching for a boxing or Take That seating plan? Use the plan on that event’s own booking page.
Who can stand on the floor at Co-op Live?
Anyone aged 16 or over can stand on the floor at Co-op Live, which the venue calls the largest floor space of any indoor venue. A standing ticket is general admission, meaning no numbered spot. Three rules decide if it is for you:
- Age: under-16s are not allowed in the standing area, and anyone aged 14 or under must be with an adult aged 18 or over. One under-16 in the group means seats for everyone.
- Mobility aids: canes, wheelchairs and crutches are not allowed on the standing floor, so book a platform or a seat instead.
- Queuing: the arena asks fans not to arrive before 9am on show day. It does not allow camping outside and hands out no numbered wristbands, so nobody can hold a place at the front.
What premium seats and lounges does Co-op Live have?
Premium seats at Co-op Live are on Level 2 and in the Level 4 lounges, sold by the arena as Premium Experiences. Hospitality means a ticket with extras such as food, drink or a lounge. Seat Unique is the arena’s official hospitality marketplace.
| Option | What you get | Who it suits |
|---|---|---|
| Level 2 premium seats | Bars and dining of its own, including the Encore Restaurant | A birthday or a work night |
| OVO lounge, Level 4 | A lounge overlooking the stage, with its own seats | Customers of OVO, the energy supplier, through OVO Live |
| Sky lounge, Level 4 | A lounge overlooking the stage, with its own seats | Sky customers, through Sky VIP |
| Co-op Backstage Club | An upgrade added to a standing ticket | Standing fans who want extras |
Regular visitors can also ask about annual memberships. Skip premium if you only want to be close, because the standing floor gets you nearer.
How much are Co-op Live tickets?
Co-op Live ticket prices are set for each show, so no level has a fixed price. Ticketmaster shows the price as you choose your seat. Co-op Live’s Ticketmaster page says Co-op Members, people who have joined the Co-op’s membership scheme, get presale access 48 hours before the general sale.
A presale is an early sale for a limited group, and a general sale is open to everyone.
Other events work differently. The NBA Manchester Game 2027 went through a free ballot, a prize draw for the right to buy, and its general sale tickets are sold out. Premium packages are sold separately by NBA Experiences.
What accessible seating does Co-op Live have?
Co-op Live’s accessible seating is on platforms on Levels 0, 1 and 3, and Entrance B is the dedicated accessible entrance. Entrance B leads straight onto a step-free platform at floor level.
- Level 1 platforms: 102AP to 107AP and 109AP to 114AP.
- Level 3 platforms: 307AP and 314AP, depending on the layout of the event.
- Wheelchairs, crutches and canes: a platform is your route to the floor area, because mobility aids are not allowed in the standing section.
- Level 3 seats: think twice if steps are hard for you, because the handrails are not continuous.
How do you get to Co-op Live and home again?
The easiest way to get to Co-op Live is the Metrolink tram, Greater Manchester’s tram network, to the Etihad Campus stop right next to the arena. Trams run until 1am on Fridays and Saturdays. If Manchester City are at home, or something else is on the campus, leave extra time.
| Route | Where it leaves you | Worth knowing |
|---|---|---|
| On foot from Manchester Piccadilly station | CityLink route via Ancoats, New Islington and Holt Town | Step-free. Follow the blue lampposts. About 25 minutes from the city centre |
| Bus 53 | Alan Turing Way | A 2-minute walk to the arena |
| Buses 216, 230 and 231 | Ashton New Road | A 10-minute walk |
| TfGM shuttle bus | Leaves from Sports City Way | After higher-capacity events, 10pm to 1am |
| Car | Official car parks, pre-booked only on event days | Satnav M11 3DU. A residents’ parking scheme stops drop-offs outside set areas |
- After the encore: walk to Etihad Campus, not Velopark or Holt Town. Those two stops close after events.
- Travelling from outside Manchester? Check your last train from Piccadilly before you buy. Outside Fridays and Saturdays, check the Metrolink timetable as well.
What can you bring into Co-op Live?
You can bring one bag per person into Co-op Live, no larger than A4. Backpacks, travel cases, laptop bags, large umbrellas, professional cameras and large tote bags are turned away. The bag drop charges a fee, so travelling light saves you money too.
- Your ticket: tickets are scanned from the Co-op Live app, so download it and log in before you leave home.
- Paying: the arena is cashless. Use contactless, a card, Apple Pay or Google Pay.
- Help on the night: go to Fan Services, opposite Block 112 on Level 1 or behind Block 323 on Level 3.
What mistakes should you avoid at Co-op Live?
The main mistakes at Co-op Live are buying standing tickets for a group with an under-16, walking to a closed tram stop and leaving the app until the last minute. Two more are easy to avoid:
- Bringing a backpack: it will not get past the door, and the bag drop costs extra.
- Forgetting the campus: a Manchester City game can slow every route, so check the fixtures.
What to do now (as of 31 October 2026)
As of 31 October 2026, most Co-op Live shows in November were on sale at the last official check on 21 October. Paul Heaton is sold out at Ticketmaster UK, so look again before you decide.
| Date | Show | Last official check |
|---|---|---|
| Friday 6 November 2026 | Papa Roach | On sale at Ticketmaster UK |
| Sunday 8 November 2026 | Stevie Wonder | On sale at Ticketmaster UK |
| Thursday 12 and Friday 13 November 2026 | Muse | On sale at Ticketmaster UK |
| Saturday 14 November 2026 | Paul Heaton | Sold out at Ticketmaster UK |
| Sunday 15 November 2026 | Myles Smith | On sale at Live Nation UK |
| Thursday 26 November 2026 | Phoebe Bridgers | On sale at Ticketmaster UK |
| Wednesday 2 December 2026 | Mariah Carey | On sale at Ticketmaster UK |
In 2027, Jack Whitehall plays on Saturday 2 January, Donny Osmond on Sunday 24 January and Rush on 12 and 14 March. Tame Impala have sold out both of their May nights.
Going to Glasgow instead? Read the OVO Hydro seating plan.
When a night has gone, Ticketmaster’s Ticket Exchange sells seats at face value or less, and other resale listings are on the Co-op Live tickets page.
Frequently asked questions
Does the Co-op Live seating plan show seat numbers?
Your block, row and seat appear on the ticket in the Co-op Live app, and the venue publishes an interactive seat map on its website. The block number does the rest: 102 to 114 sit on Level 1, 307, 314 and 323 on Level 3, and anything ending in AP is an accessible platform.
Where is the best place to sit at Co-op Live?
Level 1 suits most people at Co-op Live, because it is the lowest tier of fixed seats and close to the stage. Level 3 shows the whole production from high up but is steep, at three steps per row. Fans aged 16 or over who want to be close can stand on the floor.
What is the capacity of Co-op Live?
Co-op Live holds 23,500 people with a standing floor, the largest of any indoor arena in the UK, and about 7,500 of them stand. Wikipedia gives 20,500 for an all-seated layout. Some seats on Levels 0 and 1 retract, so the number changes with the layout of each show.
Can under-16s stand on the floor at Co-op Live?
No. Co-op Live does not allow under-16s in the standing area, and anyone aged 14 or under must be with an adult aged 18 or over. If one person in your group is under 16, book seats for everyone, ideally on Level 1, which is gentler than the steep upper tier.
How can I see the view from my seat at Co-op Live?
Use the interactive seat map on the Co-op Live website, or the Co-op Live Virtual Venue, an official online model of the arena. Check where the stage is for your show first. Fans also post their own photos on sites such as A View From My Seat, which give a rough idea of each block.
What is on Level 4 at Co-op Live?
Level 4 at Co-op Live holds two premium lounges overlooking the stage, one for OVO customers through OVO Live and one for Sky customers through Sky VIP. Each lounge has its own seats. Level 2 is the other premium level, with its own bars and dining, including the Encore Restaurant.
Do I need the Co-op Live app?
Yes. Tickets at Co-op Live are scanned from the Co-op Live app, so download it and log in before you leave home. Your block, row and seat appear there. The app is where you keep your ticket, while Ticketmaster, the arena's official ticketing partner, is where you buy it.
How can I get early access to Co-op Live tickets?
Co-op Live's Ticketmaster page says Co-op Members get presale access 48 hours before the general sale. A presale is an early sale for a limited group. So join the Co-op's membership scheme before the sale you want. Standing fans still need to be 16 or over, whichever sale they use.
How late do trams run after a Co-op Live show?
From the Etihad Campus stop beside the arena, Metrolink runs until 1am on Fridays and Saturdays. Velopark and Holt Town close after events, so do not walk to them. After higher-capacity shows, TfGM also runs a shuttle bus from Sports City Way between 10pm and 1am. On other nights, check the timetable.
What size bag can I take into Co-op Live?
You can take one bag per person into Co-op Live, no bigger than A4. Backpacks, travel cases, laptop bags, large umbrellas, professional cameras and large tote bags are refused at the door. There is a bag drop, but it is paid, so a small bag or none at all is quickest.
