To make your life easier, we have pulled together the ultimate guide of ‘everything you need to know’ when attending events at Co-op Live. From getting to and from the venue, to where to stay and eat nearby, to what other things you can get stuck into across the city.
Co-op Live: Setting a New Standard for the City's Entertainment
Manchester’s newest music venue and the UK’s biggest indoor arena (23.5k Capacity), Co-op Live has finally opened its doors. Going forward it will be one of Manchester’s main music venues, with the likes of Charli XCX playing this Autumn and Billie Eilish playing in 2025!
Catching a gig at Co-op Live?
JLS
This autumn will see arenas across the UK and Ireland come alive with the sound of music as JLS…
Five
The hugely successful British boy band Five hit the road again. Through the late '90s and early…
Bad Omens
Bad Omens are a Los Angeles metalcore band who traffic in punishing breakdowns and anthemic choruses…
Hans Zimmer Live 2025
Hans Zimmer enters The Next Level – and brings Europe with him! The multiple Oscar® and…
Mumford & Sons
Mumford & Sons are coming to Co-op Live as part of a huge tour of UK/Ireland + Europe later this…
Sabaton
Heavy metallers, SABATON, are conquering 20 European cities in 2025 with a groundbreaking tour that…
Jamiroquai
After six years away from touring, the legendary Jamiroquai have announced a 14-date arena tour for…
D-Block Europe
UK Rap legends D-Block Europe are coming to Manchester! New date added on 10 December.
Stereophonics
Welsh four-piece rock band The Stereophonics achieved chart success for the first time in 1996 with…
RNB Xmas Ball 2025
The heavyweight lineup for the RnB Xmas Ball has just dropped with a feast of RnB superstars who…
All Elite Wrestling: Dynamite and Collision
For the first time ever, AEW Dynamite is storming into Co-op Live! The squared circle comes alive as…
Biffy Clyro
Biffy Clyro are a mainstream rock band which formed in Kilmarnock, Scotland in 1995 as an…
All Time Low
Multi-platinum Maryland quartet All Time Low - Alex Gaskarth, Jack Barakat, Rian Dawson and Zack…
Deftones
One of the most influential alternative metal bands of the last three decades is coming to…
Raye
RAYE has today announced THIS TOUR MAY CONTAIN NEW MUSIC — a massive 40-date headline tour…
Florence + the Machine
After needing lifesaving surgery on the Dance Fever Tour, Florence’s recovery took her down the path…
James Arthur
Known for his warm brand of R&B-inflected pop, James Arthur initially rose to fame as the victor…
Brit Awards
The BRIT Awards with Mastercard moves to Manchester for first time For the first time in its…
Laufey
Singer-songwriter, Laufey, brings her mystical mixture of modern jazz + bedroom pop.
MGK
Multi-platinum selling artist mgk announces his highly anticipated 2025 global tour, The Lost…
Gorillaz
The Mountain Tour which will visit arenas across the UK and Ireland in Spring 2026, with support…
30th MOBO Awards
For close to 30 years, the MOBO Awards has remained a significant cultural event in the British…
5 Seconds of Summer
The chart-topping Aussie band 5 Seconds Of Summer (aka 5SOS) was formed with the ambition of…
The Prodigy
One of the most successful electronic groups of all time, The Prodigy, was formed in 1990, they’ve…
Louis Tomlinson
One-fifth of one of the biggest boybands in history and chart-topping solo artist Raised in South…
Alex Warren Little Orphan Alex Tour
Today, chart-topping singer-songwriter Alex Warren announced new European & UK dates for…
Tame Impala
Tame Impala is Kevin Parker - the almost legendary messianic figure and creative soul who has…
Doja Cat
GRAMMY® Award-winning, global superstar Doja Cat has announced new dates for 2026 across Latin…
Def Leppard and Whitesnake
2018 will see Def Leppard perform their Hysteria album in full, in addition to other hits, across UK…
André Rieu
André Rieu, world-renowned Dutch violinist and conductor, will be bringing his brand new show…
The World of Hans Zimmer
Captivating, overwhelming and fantastically cinematic, The World of Hans Zimmer is a top-class show…
Professor Brian Cox
After performing his smash-hit show ‘Horizons’ to nearly half a million people across…
Westlife
Globally renowned pop group Westlife have unveiled an appearance at Co-op Live on their UK leg of…
Co-op Live are also offering a wide range of premium experiences to get stuck into so why not make it extra special and see what's on offer? Including access to the AMP Club, Gallery Suite, Private Suite, and The Bentley Record Room, plus so much more!
Where is Co-op Live?
For those unfamiliar with the location of Co-op Live, it is located East of the city over by Etihad Stadium and right next to Etihad Campus tram stop, a short journey from the city centre on the Ashton-Eccles Metrolink Line.
Getting Here:
There are several ways you can get to the venue:
- Tram – Ashton-Eccles Metrolink Line
- Bus – 53, 216, 230
- Train – Avanti West Coast, Northern, TransPennine Express, CrossCountry and Transport for Wales
- Car – Limited parking spaces
- On foot – From Piccadilly it takes around 25 minutes
For more departure times, journey planning, tickets and travel information click here
Tram Information
Frequent trams run on the Ashton-Eccles line to the Etihad Campus stop, located directly next to the venue. Trams run every 6 minutes from the city centre, and until 01:00 on Fridays and Saturdays.
You can access the Ashton-Eccles Metrolink Line via:
- Deansgate – Castlefield
- St. Peter’s Square
- Piccadilly Gardens
- Piccadilly Station
- New Islington
Plan your journey via Metrolink
Co-op Live also offer their own 'Getting Here' information
Getting home:
It is advised to plan return travel in advance of arriving at Co-op Live and to take into consideration operating hours across public transport links.
Tram
Other modes of transport
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Taxis will be available to order from the venue.
The ‘CityLink’ walking route
Plans are still underway to implement interactive lighting installations, busking spots for local talent and pop-up food and drink stalls. This is to offer a safe, well-lit alternative to getting home. With the venue only being a 25-minute walk from Piccadilly it's a great incentive for groups to walk back together.
And the CityLink walking route will remain staffed up until 00:00 following all main performances at Co-op Live.
Where to stay:
For those wanting to experience the most of the city and stay central, Ancoats and Piccadilly would be your best options.
Ancoats has become a lively, vibrant neighbourhood full of trendy bars and restaurants. A hidden gem worth visiting, especially if you are visiting for the first time!
Additionally, Piccadilly is one of Manchester’s key central points, and allows you to access any destination, venue, or attraction within minutes.
Accommodation:
Sometimes it can be stressful looking for accommodation or you just might not know where to start...
Below we have pulled together a list of hotels that are close to or near transport links to the venue.
Hotels near to Co-op Live:
Dakota Manchester
Dakota Hotel is buried between Piccadilly and Ancoats and is only a 5-minute walk from Piccadilly…
Mercure Manchester Piccadilly Hotel
Mercure Hotel is an 8-minute walk from Piccadilly train station and is located right in the heart of…
Clayton Hotel Manchester City Centre
Clayton Hotel is a 10-minute walk from Piccadilly station and 5-minutes away from Piccadilly Gardens…
INNSiDE Deansgate
Only an 8-minute walk from St. Peter’s Square where the Etihad Campus line runs frequently and a…
YOTEL Deansgate
Yotel is a 7-minute walk from St. Peter’s Square and is in the centre of the city. A 5-minute walk…
Motel One
There are three Motel One Hotels across the city – Royal Exchange, St. Peter’s Square and…
Maldron Hotel Manchester City Centre
Within walking distance of Oxford Road train station and 5-minutes from St. Peter’s Square.
The Reach Piccadilly
A 4-minute walk away from Piccadilly train station, within 5-minutes of Piccadilly Gardens.
The Marriott Hotel Piccadilly
The Marriott Hotel is a 2-minute walk from Piccadilly Station and right next to the CityLink getting…
For more information head to our ‘Where to Stay’ page.
Eating at Co-op Live
Co-op Live will be sourcing all local produce with 32 bars and restaurants inside the venue. You are expected to be spoilt for choice!
Our top picks
Diecast
Diecast is a new creative neighbourhood from the team behind Ramona and The Firehouse. The 5,000…
Ducie Street Warehouse
Set in the very heart of the city, Ducie Street Warehouse is just 100 yards from Manchester…
Escape to Freight Island
Located on Baring Street, amid the thrilling regeneration of Depot Mayfield, Escape to Freight…
Ramona
Pizza from Detroit by the slice. Margaritas by the Litre. What else could you want from a venue? The…
Lucky Cat Manchester
Their Mayfair restaurant is an iconic global culinary destination and Gordon Ramsay's…
Shoryu Ramen
Shoryu Ramen are the go to in Manchester for delicious Hakata Tonkotsu ramen (Japanese…
Rudy's Pizza
Rudy’s Pizza on Portland Street is the best location for pizza and people watching in the…
Printworks
Printworks is a buzzing, entertainment and leisure complex located in the heart of Manchester City…
Corn Exchange Manchester
Showcasing all its original Edwardian beauty with a modern twist, The Corn Exchange is home to…
Dishoom
Dishoom pays loving homage to the Irani cafés and food of all Bombay. Open for breakfast, lunch…
Maray
Maray, nestled in Lincoln Square, City Centre, draws inspiration from the vibrant arrondissement of…
Fazenda Rodizio Bar & Grill
Located in the heart of Spinningfields, Fazenda Rodizio Bar & Grill Manchester blends…
Hawksmoor Manchester
Hawksmoor Manchester is a British steakhouse and cocktail bar located in a late Victorian courthouse…
Menagerie Restaurant & Bar
Menagerie Restaurant & Bar is a contemporary American restaurant and bar indulging guests in a…
Sexy Fish
In the heart of Manchester, Sexy Fish is an Asian restaurant and bar specializing in…
The Firehouse Manchester
The Firehouse Manchester is known for being the hottest venue on a Friday night and is…
Making a weekend of it?
Why not explore some of the city's main attractions while you are over.
Here are our top picks:
Castlefield Gallery
Castlefield Gallery is a contemporary art gallery and artist development organisation, established…
Chetham's Library
About/History Chetham's is a unique cultural institution in the heart of Manchester combining…
esea contemporary
esea contemporary (formally known as Centre For Chinese Contemporary Art) is the…
Manchester Art Gallery
Manchester Art Gallery has been at the centre of city life for 200 years. From its origins in the…
Museum of Illusions
Manchester welcomes World-Famous Museum of Illusions to the city! Enter the fascinating world of…
National Football Museum
The National Football Museum is part of the Visit Manchester Pass - giving you entry to iconic…
Royal Exchange Theatre
The Royal Exchange Theatre sits at the heart of Manchester’s culturally vibrant city centre…
The John Rylands Research Institute and Library
For those who set eyes on Deansgate's The John Rylands Research Institute and Library for the…
HOME
With five cinema screens, two theatres and an art gallery, HOME is an open and social space for the…
Manchester Opera House
The Opera House has been part of Manchester's cultural scene since 1912. Along with its…
Palace Theatre
The Palace Theatre has been part of Manchester's cultural scene since 1891. Along with its…
Science and Industry Museum
Explore 250 years of innovations and ideas that started life in Manchester and went on to change the…
We hope you find this helpful, enjoy your trip and make sure to tag #VisitManchester on socials for a chance to feature!