That's just the brief details - scroll down for the full review!
Newcastle Arena is by far the arena we visit the most. It’s only an hour's drive from home, easy to get to and it gets a good selection of events. As an ageing building, it’s got its negatives but it’s currently getting some exciting upgrades for its 30th birthday and the management is working hard to improve the overall event experience for all customers.
There are exciting things on the horizon for the venue and I’m very excited to be involved - all will be revealed soon!
BOOKING
Accessible bookings can be made online. Up until the latter part of 2024, the arena used the Ticketmaster system which, as we all know, can be troublesome. The identification of the various accessible ticket options is very unclear on the Ticketmaster app or if you’re using the website through the browser of a mobile device. People have unfortunately booked vision or hearing-impaired seating as it is labelled in the same way as wheelchair seating.
The arena has now moved to AXS which is a much better system for accessible bookings. You can easily select wheelchair or ambulant tickets online or you can call the access team at the arena if you have any questions or are unable to purchase the tickets you need.
You can call 0191 618 1697 or email Newcastle.Accessibility@eu.asmglobal.com
The arena website has a brilliant access guide on their website with all of the information you need about your visit to the arena and their social media pages feature details about each event to keep you up to date.
LOCATION AND GETTING THERE
The Utilita Arena Newcastle is close to the banks of the river Tyne on the edge of the city of Newcastle. With good road links to the A1(M) and within 10 10-minute walk or roll of Newcastle Central train station, getting to the arena is easy. The arena has parking for over 600 vehicles but there is a large multi-storey car park close by. There are also a range of hotels within a short distance. The Tyne and Wear metro services Central station with links as far as Newcastle Airport and Sunderland. All stations are step-free on the Metro system.
Parking on-site at the arena is chargeable, including accessible bays for Blue Badge holders. Accessible bays are positioned along the side of the arena, a short distance from the doors. Pre-booking of accessible bays is not available and are allocated on a first-come first served basis. Payment for parking is made via the RingGo app using the location code displayed in the car parks.
If you’re heading to the arena on foot, please be aware that there is an incline up to the doors.
GETTING IN
The arena has one set of doors along the front of the venue.
There is a set of scanners as you approach the doors along with staff doing bag checks. Address customers can skip the queues by keeping to the right-hand side to a separate area with security wands and bag checks.
There is a set of double doors designated as an accessible entrance with staff on hand to help you find your seats and offer any other assistance you might need. You will also be given a flyer with information about emergency procedures, if you’re not already familiar with the arena.
Once you’ve had your tickets scanned, you are straight into the concourse.
FACILITIES
The concourse has a range of food and drink outlets, most with a lowered counter. There are also 2 large merchandise desks at a reasonable height with clear acrylic counters displaying products.
From the foyer, there is a small lift used to access the upper-floor seating and hospitality suites (currently not accessible - watch this space!). There are 4 accessible toilets on the upper floor.
From the foyer, two corridors branch off, one down each side of the arena. The corridors have large double doors into each block of seating and toilet blocks, including radar-keyed accessible toilets.
On our first visit of the year (5th February 2025), it was the launch night of the new, revamped toilet blocks including a new gender-neutral block complete with a DJ and graffiti mirrors. This is the first completed revamp of 2025 with more to come!
SEATING
There are various seating options for access customers.
For step-free access, there are wheelchair bays with room for 4 wheelchairs plus companions, accessed by a ramp. These are ticketed as Row B. The front row of seats behind, Row C, are also step-free and used for ambulant disabled customers.
There are also a limited number of spaces for wheelchairs on the upper levels including some raised platforms. These are very narrow and cannot accommodate large chairs. If your chair is larger than a standard manual chair, it is recommended that you contact the arena on the access line to arrange the best seating for your requirements.
If you are able to manage a few steps, you can be accommodated on the front few or back few rows of each block which you can arrange by contacting the access line.
Wheelchairs are not permitted on the floor during shows as the seats are fixed and can not be removed to accommodate chairs.
All accessible seating in the arena has a good view of the stage or event.
GETTING BACK OUT
For most events, the emergency exit doors along the sides of the arena are opened at the end. The paths down both sides of the outside of the arena are step-free. If you prefer to leave by the main exit, I would always recommend waiting for the initial rush to die down before heading for the exit. The narrow corridors can get congested and if there are queues for the toilets, you might find it difficult to get along.
Cars are held in the car parks until the crowds have died down so even if you leave early, you might not be able to move your car. Many of the surrounding roads are narrow and become congested so you might find it takes some time to get away from the arena. Also, be aware of other events in the area such as football or other large-capacity venues which can increase the traffic volume.
OVERALL EXPERIENCE
I love this venue. We visit so often, that many of the security staff now know me by name and always take time out for a quick chat. The majority of staff are very friendly but some of the temporary or agency staff might be a bit less so.
It’s a plain and simple venue - easy to get to, easy to find your way around, and lots of accessible options.
Accessible parking is quite limited and chargeable but you’re close to the door
