let's make wrestling more accessible.

Category: Venues

  • Utilita Arena, Cardiff

    Utilita Arena, Cardiff

    Address:

    Mary Ann Street, Cardiff, CF10 2EQ

    Website:

    https://www.utilitaarenacardiff.co.uk

    Promotions:

    AEW

    Step-free access?

    The arena has designated disabled entry with a ramp.

    Seating available?

    Yes

    Wheelchair spaces provided?

    Yes

    Accessible toilets?

    Yes. There are two disabled toilets in the main arena space and two upstairs accessible via a lift. They also have a policy of not challenging which toilet people use on the basis of gender.

    Car parking nearby?

    Per the venue’s website, there are lots of multi-storey car parks nearby, and they’ve helpfully indicated how many disabled spaces are available in each:

    Rapports NCP – 3 disabled spaces
    St David’s – 120 disabled Spaces
    John Lewis – 21 disabled spaces
    Pellet Street NCP – 8 disabled spaces
    Adam Street NCP – 20 disabled spaces
    Westgate Street NCP – 4 disabled spaces

    Air conditioning?

    TBC

    Helpful staff?

    Event-specific staff all get basic training on helping people with accessibility needs, while permanent venue staff get more extensive training.

    Other info:

    Accessible tickets can be booked from the venue’s events page, with companion/carer tickets available (subject to availability). This video might be helpful – it also shows how to access the arena from different car parks, and where the drop-off point on Tredegar Street is.

    They have quiet areas for people who might get overstimulated – these aren’t signposted, but there are quieter areas that you can ask to use.

  • Porchester Hall, London

    Porchester Hall, London

    Address:

    Porchester Rd, London W2 5HS

    Website:

    Managed by multiple companies but this seems a reliable site:
    https://everyoneevents.com/ee-venues/london-events-venues/porchester-hall/

    Promotions:

    RevPro

    Step-free access?

    There are lifts to the event spaces inside the building.

    Seating available?

    Yes

    Wheelchair spaces provided?

    Yes

    Accessible toilets?

    Yes

    Car parking nearby?

    TBC but being central London, parking is likely to be difficult. The nearest step free tube station is Paddington which is 0.4 miles away.

    Air conditioning?

    TBC

    Helpful staff?

    TBC

  • Colour Factory, London

    Colour Factory, London

    Address:

    8 Queen’s Yard, London, E9 5EN

    Website:

    https://www.colourfactory.com

    Promotions:

    Fist Club

    Step-free access?

    Yes

    Seating available?

    General admission is mostly standing, but there are seats available for people with access needs.

    Wheelchair spaces provided?

    TBC

    Accessible toilets?

    Yes, and all toilets are gender neutral.

    Car parking nearby?

    The nearest pay-and-display is St Marks Gate, which does have some Blue Badge spaces. Street parking after 8pm may also be available nearby.

    Air conditioning?

    TBC.

    Helpful staff?

    Yes, and Fist Club is keen to make their shows as accessible as possible.

    Notes:

    Accessible tickets with free carer tickets are available, but you need to make sure you book via the venue rather than via the promotion.

    Email welfare@colourfactory.com and they’ll sort out any specific requirements you need.

    Strobe lighting is occasionally used but warning signs will be posted if so. Free disposable earplugs are also available at the bar.

  • O2 Arena, London

    O2 Arena, London

    Address:

    Peninsula Square, London, SE10 0DX

    Website:

    https://www.theo2.co.uk

    Promotions:

    All Elite Wrestling (for a one-off Forbidden Door show)

    Step-free access?

    Yes

    Seating available?

    Yes

    Wheelchair spaces provided?

    Yes

    Accessible toilets?

    Yes

    Car parking nearby?

    The O2 has its own car parks, all of which include Blue Badge spaces, and you can book these in advance.

    Air conditioning?

    Allegedly yes, though it’ll still get hot when there are large crowds present.

    Helpful staff?

    We’ve not heard good things.

    Notes:

    To book an accessible ticket, you’ll need an Access card. Instructions on the process of booking accessible tickets is detailed helpfully on the website, here.

    BSL interpreters are available, but you need to organise that at least 28 days in advance.

    You can only take in bags smaller than A4 in size, and food and drink aren’t permitted to be taken in.

    What people told us:

    “Entrance organisation is AWFUL. Venue staff are criminally unhelpful. The queues upon door time were just insane. It took me over an hour to get into the arena. I’d queued for 45 minutes already when the only help I was given was from the ‘Fan Angels’ who literally grabbed me out of the queue and took me to the front and right through security in intense leg pain.

    There is no disabled queue jump for ambulant disabled people with regular seats. Disabled seating places are so limited, it’s crazy. They essentially make you give up personal details (on their website) to even get considered for ‘disabled access status’ at the Arena, which you have to apply for well in advance!

    The stairs inside are steep and shallow. There’s also a hell of a lot of them. Barely accessible on crutches or if you’re wobbly. “

  • Fairfield Social Club, Manchester

    Fairfield Social Club, Manchester

    Address:

    6 Irk Street, Manchester, M4 4JT

    Website:

    https://fscmcr.co.uk/accessibility

    Promotions:

    Futureshock

    Step-free access?

    The main entrance is flush with the pavement, and there’s a sloped entrance beyond that. The mezzanine is only accessible via stairs, but the ground floor is all step-free. It’s worth noting, though, that Irk Street is a cobbled street, which may present some difficulty.

    Seating available?

    Yes.

    Wheelchair spaces provided?

    Yes – chairs can be moved, so wheelchair users can choose their space. The bars are also wheelchair accessible.

    Accessible toilets?

    There’s one inside The Shed; the toilets in The Club courtyard have a step up.

    Car parking nearby?

    There’s no car park at the venue, but NCP Manchester on Gould Street is 0.2 miles away, and Bankpark on Gould Street is 0.1 miles away. Both car parks are open 24 hours, but don’t have designated accessible spaces.

    Passengers can be dropped off in front of the venue, but there’s no drop curb here.

    Air conditioning?

    TBC.

    Helpful staff?

    Yes.

    Other info:

    It’s worth emailing info@fscmcr.co.uk if you’re planning to go, so they can be prepared for any accessibility issues you might have.

    Dogs, including service dogs, are welcome in the venue.

  • The Union @ MMU, Manchester

    The Union @ MMU, Manchester

    Address:

    21 Higher Cambridge St, Manchester, M15 6AD

    Website:

    https://www.theunionmmu.org/

    Promotions:

    Futureshock

    Step-free access?

    Yes, there’s a ramp up to the entrance and a passenger lift to every floor.

    Seating available?

    TBC.

    Wheelchair spaces provided?

    TBC.

    Accessible toilets?

    Yes.

    Car parking nearby?

    Yes, there’s a car park associated with the University, with blue badge spaces available.

    Air conditioning?

    TBC.

    Helpful staff?

    TBC.

  • Stockport Masonic Guildhall, Stockport

    Stockport Masonic Guildhall, Stockport

    Address:

    169 Wellington Road South, Stockport, Cheshire SK1 3UA

    Website:

    https://stockport-guildhall.co.uk/

    Promotions:

    Futureshock.

    Step-free access?

    TBC.

    Seating available?

    TBC.

    Wheelchair spaces provided?

    TBC.

    Accessible toilets?

    TBC.

    Car parking nearby?

    There is a car park, accessed via Brentnall Street, but the website advises that parking availability varies depending on the event.

    Air conditioning?

    TBC.

    Helpful staff?

    We reached out to ask questions about accessibility access almost a year ago and haven’t received a response.

  • Millthorpe School, York

    Millthorpe School, York

    Address:

    Millthorpe School, Nunthorpe Ave, York YO23 1WF

    Website:

    https://millthorpeschool.co.uk/

    Promotions:

    True Grit.

    Step-free access?

    Yes.

    Seating available?

    Yes. Seating is tiered though, so some seats are up steps – and seats aren’t allocated.

    Wheelchair spaces provided?

    Yes.

    Accessible toilets?

    Yes.

    Car parking nearby?

    Yes, there’s a car park at the school.

    Air conditioning?

    TBC.

    Helpful staff?

    Yes.

  • Alhambra Live, Morecambe

    Alhambra Live, Morecambe

    Address:

    56 Marine Rd West, West End, Morecambe, LA4 4EU

    Website:

    https://www.alhambralive.com/

    Promotions:

    Odyssey Pro Wrestling

    Step-free access?

    Yes, there’s a lift up.

    Seating available?

    Yes – first and second rows are VIP only, the rest is general admission. Seats are available on a first-come first-served basis.

    Wheelchair spaces provided?

    Yes. Assistance dogs are also allowed.

    Accessible toilets?

    Yes.

    Car parking nearby?

    Yes, there’s on street parking nearby.

    Air conditioning?

    No, and the venue can be cold in winter.

    Helpful staff?

    Yes, very friendly and approachable.

  • Cloud Nine and The Lounge, Barrow-in-Furness

    Cloud Nine and The Lounge, Barrow-in-Furness

    Address:

    5-15 Dalkeith St, Barrow-in-Furness, LA14 1SP

    Website:

    https://theloungecloud9.com/

    Promotions:

    Knockout Wrestling

    Step-free access?

    No – shows are on the first floor, and there’s no ramp access.

    Seating available?

    Yes, and people with accessibility issues get early entry to find appropriate seating.

    Wheelchair spaces provided?

    No – wheelchairs cannot access the venue.

    Accessible toilets?

    TBC.

    Car parking nearby?

    Yes, there’s on street parking available nearby.

    Air conditioning?

    TBC.

    Helpful staff?

    Yes, they’ve always been helpful and approachable.