Access

We strive to make all our shows at O2 Academy Birmingham accessible to everyone and we work with Attitude Is Everything and Nimbus Disability to make sure things keep improving. There are some challenges, but together we can identify issues and come up with practical solutions. Your feedback is always welcome and we’ll do our best to be as flexible as possible to meet your needs.

We also accept the Access Card. It’s not compulsory, but it means you won’t have to provide repeat details every time you book, and lets us know about any support or facilities you’ll need when you visit.

If you don’t have one, you can complete one of our booking forms, just download it here, call, or email if you’d like us to send one by post.

With your say-so, we can add your access requirements to our internal database - for up to three years - and that way we’ll know what they are without you having to duplicate them when you book with us again. Just fill it in and send it back with the supporting documents we’ll ask you for within seven days of your booking. 

You have our assurance the information you supply is confidential and only for the purpose it’s provided. 

Booking tickets

If you are a wheelchair user, please email us with any access or personal assistant requirements you may have. 

If there is anything else you think we should know about, or you need a companion to attend, please book your ticket(s) with Ticketmaster and then get in touch with us as soon as you can, preferably within 24 hours please. 

Companion ticket

If you need a ticket for a companion, carer or personal assistant, please just let us know when you book. We offer one companion ticket, free of charge to provide the support needed and additional assistance during the course of an emergency evacuation and so you know, proof of eligibility will be required.

Alternatively, if you have an Access Card please provide your full name and the card number. 

Our full Essential Companion Policy can be found here

Box office

Our box offices are at the front doors and we are sheltered by a canopy. There’s a counter of accessible height, and we have a mic but unfortunately, no induction loop.

Please bring all your booking information with you.

Getting here

Head over to our Venue Info page for all travel information and accessible options for getting to us. 

Wheelchair spaces

These are available when you book, but they’re limited on a first come, first served basis. 

Viewing areas and platforms 

We understand that you want to be with your friends, but due to space limitations, we may only be able to allow you and your companion into an accessible area, and cannot always guarantee seated options. 

Blind or vision impaired visitors

If you need braille or large print material, please let us know in advance. 

Guide and assistance dogs

Guide and hearing assistance dogs are welcome, just be sure to let us know when you book.

We can discuss suitable locations where your dog can stay throughout the show.  Alternatively, if you would like your dog to be looked after, we'll arrange for someone to meet you at the entrance and guide you to your seat. Dogs will be looked after throughout the event in a quiet location with somewhere to lay, with a bowl of water.

*We recommend bringing hearing protection for your dog please. 

Your visit

If you need assistance or lift access, let us know and a member of staff can meet you at the front doors.

We’d recommend arriving about 15 minutes before doors open, just to make things easier.

Auditoriums

O2 Academy Birmingham has three venues, so it can get busy if they're all in full swing at the same time.

O2 Academy Birmingham is the largest and has a raised viewing area on the balcony (up one floor). To get there, we have a lift or stairs with turns. This area has room for up to six wheelchairs and there’s space for seats.

All customers who have balcony tickets for the main room are advised in advance, and upon arrival, of our no-standing policy; and our staff are present to enforce this. Please just let our security team know if anyone repeatedly obstructs your sightline from our designated viewing area. 

O2 Academy2 Birmingham has a dedicated balcony as a viewing area. It’s also on the upper level and can be accessed by using our lift, or it’s two flights of stairs with turns. There’s room for four wheelchairs and four seats.

O2 Academy3 Birmingham is our smallest venue. There’s no specific viewing area; and it’s on our ground level, you enter directly from the main entrance, so please just get in touch if there’s anything we need to be aware of, or any support you need from our staff to make sure you have an enjoyable visit.

Just so you know, e-cigarettes and vapes are not permitted, please see our FAQs for details.

Toilets 

If you're coming to a show in the main auditorium or O2 Academy2 Birmingham, there's an accessible toilet on the balcony level (first floor), it’s controlled by a RADAR key and our staff will also provide access to it if needed and also in stalls. 

Other toilets are available throughout the building, from each auditorium, so just ask a member of our team to show you the way if you’re visiting us for the first time.

O2 Academy3 Birmingham is one room and has facilities. 

Bar service

For O2 Academy Birmingham and O2 Academy2 Birmingham, there’s a large bar on the balcony (first floor), close by and it has a lowered counter area. Our bar staff will also circulate at regular intervals and be happy to go to the bar for you.  

O2 Academy3 Birmingham, being our smallest venue, has just one bar, with a lowered service section.

Cloakroom

Please let any staff members know if you need assistance when you arrive and they’ll be happy to help you. The facilities are in stalls in the main auditorium and from box office points for O2 Academy2 Birmingham and O2 Academy3 Birmingham shows. 

Medical room and emergencies 

We have a medics room in the venue (ground level), if you require any assistance or a private area at any point, please just speak to a member of our staff. Any particular requirements can of course be asked in confidence and in advance. Just get in touch.

Customers with medical requirements 

Should you need to bring food or drink to manage a medical condition, or bring medicines or medical equipment with you, just get in touch.

Merchandise

If there’s merchandise on sale for O2 Academy Birmingham shows, it will be the stalls area, so just let us know and we’ll show you the way, either using the lift or stairs.

For any O2 Academy2 Birmingham shows, if available, it will be on the floor of the auditorium, so please ask any of our staff for assistance.  

For events in O2 Academy3 Birmingham, it available, it will usually be in the same room.

Strobe lighting and special effects 

Most shows and events now use strobe lighting and smoke effects, but we’ll make sure there are signs up to let you know and you can also ask when you arrive. If this is an issue, please do let one of our team know, before or during an event.

Access to performance 

Just get in touch with us if you require a BSL interpreter. So you know, we'll need 28 days' notice prior to the show to make arrangements. 

Have we got it all covered?

Hopefully, but if we’ve missed anything, do try our FAQs or just get in touch.

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