OVO Arena Wembley: Everything You Need To Know Before Going To A Gig

Wembley Arena, or OVO Arena Wembley (previously SSE Arena, Wembley) is a North-West London venue situated next door to Wembley Stadium (confusing, I know!) Originally a swimming pool centre built for the 1934 Empire Games, the 12,500 capacity complex is one of London’s premier destinations for major international shows and tours.

Getting To Wembley Arena

Wembley Arena has good transport links, with Wembley Park National Rail station a 5-minute walk away, and Wembley Park (Metropolitan, Jubilee) Tube Station only a 10-minute walk. A bit further away (15 mins’ walk) is Wembley Central Tube Station (Bakerloo, Overground). The 18, 297, 440, 83, 92 buses also stop nearby.

Going to the venue by car?

Part of the Wembley Park complex, the arena has access to large car parking facilities, which can be booked in advance via Wembley Park.

What time do gigs start and finish at Wembley Arena?

To secure the nicest view inside and minimise wait times, it’s definitely worth being on top of the stage times. While the official site usually gives the door times (usually 18.00), they don’t give individual stage times, so your best bet is to look at the band’s official pages and socials. Main acts usually start their performances from 20.00-21.30, but this can vary significantly. To ensure you get home safe, gigs tend to finish from 22.00-23.00 (curfew is 23.00).

Queueing, security & cloakrooms at Wembley Arena

The main entrance for shows is via the front of the venue, which leads into the main front foyer. Queuing goes back and forth around the entrance with barriers. Once your bag is searched and ticket checked, you’ll enter into the main foyer, from where you can go into the venue proper, or upstairs to Mezzanine Bar or Empire Bar

It’s very important to remember the arena only permits one small bag per person, which cannot be larger than 40 x 35 x 19cm. Backpacks/rucksacks of any size are not permitted, and luggage cannot be stored anywhere. There are no cloakrooms in the venue.

Where is the merch stand in the venue?

The main merch stand is in the foyer, right by the entrance, while there are two additional stands across the venue itself. Note that though the venue is a cashless venue, merchandise can still be bought with cash (or card).

Accessibility at Wembley Arena

The entrance is accessible, and bookable wheelchair spaces are available in the auditorium. Level access is possible from the foyer doors to dedicated disabled spaces by taking the public lift. Accessible RADAR toilets are available on the North and South Concourses, as well in the main entrance foyer and at the Empire Bar & Grill Level.