Sheffield Arena / Utilita Arena Sheffield (Sheffield)

Sheffield Arena, known for sponsorship purposes as Utilita Arena Sheffield, is a multi-purpose arena located in Sheffield, England. It is situated near Meadowhall and lies between Sheffield city centre and Rotherham town centre. Opened in 1991, it is used for concerts and sporting events, and is also home to the Sheffield Steelers ice hockey club.

General information

Official website: utilitaarenasheffield.co.uk

Arena capacity: 13,600 spectators

Address: 45 Broughton Ln, Sheffield S9 2DF, UK

GPS coordinates for the navigator: 53°23′59.54″N 1°25′7.54″W

Year of construction: 1990

Construction cost: £34 million

Seating plan of Sheffield Arena

The arena’s resident sport team is the Sheffield Steelers ice hockey team who play in the Elite Ice Hockey League.

Sections are typically numbered as follows:

Block A, Block B, Block C, Block 101, Block 102, Block 103, Block 104, Block 105, Block 106, Block 107, Block 108, Block 109, Block 110, Block 111, Block 112, Block 114, Block 115, Block 116, Block 117, Block 118, Block 119, Block 120, Block 201, Block 202, Block 203, Block 204, Block 205, Block 206, Block 207, Block 208, Block 209, Block 210, Block 211, Block 212, Block 213, Block 214, Block 215, Block 216, Block 217, Block 218, Block 219, Block 220.

Rows are typically numbered as follows:

Row 1, Row 2, Row 3, Row 4, Row 5, Row 6, Row 7, Row 8, Row 9, Row 10, Row 11, Row 12, Row 13, Row 14, Row 15, Row 16, Row 17, Row 18, Row 19, Row 20, Row 21, Row 22, Row 23, Row 24, Row 25, Row 26, Row 27, Row 28, Row 29, Row 30, Row A, Row B, Row C, Row D, Row E, Row F, Row G, Row H, Row J, Row K, Row L, Row M, Row N, Row P, Row Q, Row R, Row S.

Where to buy tickets?

All bookings for the venue are handled online by the arena’s ticketing provider Ticketmaster, with in person Box Office facility at the venue only available approx. 2 hours before doors on the day of an event. For more information, please check the event page on the ground’s official website.

Please be aware that the Arena no longer has a telephone booking line – should you require assistance please complete the Box Office enquiry form.

Accessible ticket bookings can be made through their Accessible booking line.

The Arena Box Office is only open to personal callers when there is an event taking place at the Arena a minimum of 1 hour prior to the event doors open time and stay open until the main act is on stage, this will vary depending on the event so please check the specific show page for running order details.

Tickets for either The Arena or Sheffield City Hall can be purchased from the City Hall Box Office in person Mon-Fri between 10am-4pm.

When coming to the box office on an event day please be aware that the security procedures in place at this show may restrict access to the venue and car parks. As access to the box office is through the car parks you may be asked to park off-site and walk to the box office to maintain the integrity of the safety checks already carried out on site.

The Box Office is located at Entrance C on the ground floor and has a purpose built low level counter installed.

There is ample parking outside the entrance, including disabled parking spaces. On non-event days please ensure that you obtain a ticket from the pay & display ticket machine and clearly display the ticket in your car – parking is free for the first hour you just need to obtain & display the ticket.

Please read the venue’s security procedures that restricts the access to the venue, car parks & box office on event days.

How to get there?

The Utilita Arena Sheffield is one of the country’s largest indoor entertainment venues, with a capacity of over 13,600 – our postcode is S9 2DF.

Car Directions

From the North – Leave the M1 at Junction 34, signed Sheffield A6109 (Meadowhall).

From The South – Leave the M1 at Junction 33.

On site Parking

Nearly 1,000 on-site car parking spaces are available in Car Parks A & B.

All the car parks are cashless – we strongly recommend anyone wishing to park on site at the venue book their tickets in advance. Pre-paid onsite parking is available online until the day of the event and are purchased by clicking on the book tickets option or selecting the pre-book on site parking from the drop down in the event you are attending, then if not already sold-out in advance, parking tickets may be purchased on the day by card as you enter the car park – no cash accepted.

Once you have purchased your car park ticket, on the day of the event you can usually access the Arena car park from 4pm & leave at any time unless otherwise stated on your ticket – given the change in security procedures no access will be allowed to the either the venue or the on-site car parks until 4pm (if shows have a morning or matinee start time the time you can access the venue & the car parks will stated on this web site on the show page of the event you are attending).

On arrival you will be directed by the car-park attendant to the next available parking space – please follow their direction. When a show has more than one performance a day then a parking ticket will state a time that you can access the car park from and a time that you must leave the car park by. This is to ensure that customers attending the earlier or later show performances are able to access the Arena car park. Please note the ticket is valid for one admission only and will not allow re-admittance once you leave the car park.

The car park ticket is only valid between the times on the ticket & you must adhere to the times stated – penalty charges displayed throughout the car park will be enforced on all cars parking outside these times – there is no overnight parking available on-site at the Arena.

There will be no access to the venue car parks without a valid car parking ticket or parking permit and anyone arranging to drop-off, meet or pick-up someone from an event at the venue must do so away from the Arena and the car parks. This can be inconvenient but is a necessary measure for the security of everyone coming to the venue. The car parking staff will make every effort to offer a suitable drop-off location but this is based on the traffic conditions at the time of your arrival and may not always be possible.

1. Car Park A – Attercliffe Road. This car park is on site and should be accessed through the entrance on Attercliffe Road (A6178). We recommend that you use this car park if you are travelling from M1 Junction 34, Meadowhall and the North.
2. Car Park B – Broughton Lane. This car park is on site and should be accessed through the entrance on Broughton Lane (A6102). We recommend that you use this car park if you are travelling from the M1 Junction 33 and the South.
3. Bike/motorcycle parking. There is no charge if you chose to bring a bike or motorcycle to a show & park in the Arena car park. There is a limited number of metal railings to attach your bike to but there is no shelter or locker facility.
4. Don Valley Bowl parking. This car park is next to the Arena and can be used as over-flow parking in some circumstances – for certain events.

Supertram Park & Ride

Park & Ride facilities are available from the train station at Meadowhall Shopping Centre and off the Sheffield Parkway (A630). Supertram also connects the park and ride facilities throughout the City to the Arena – for more information on Park & Ride, call Traveline.

If part of your journey needs to be by car, why not Park & Ride? Most trams to the Arena travel away from local roads, bypassing traffic.

1. Meadowhall Park & Ride. Situated next to Meadowhall Interchange to the North of the Meadowhall shopping centre this site has great access from Junction 34 of the M1 and parking is free.
2. Nunnery Square (Sheffield Parkway) Park & Ride. This site is ideal for the Arena and is accessible from Junction 33 of the M1. The car park is secure and it is only a 5 minute tram ride from the Arena.Trams are every 10 minutes at peak times and 20 minutes off peak. Tickets include car parking and unlimited tram travel for the driver on the day of purchase with some group tickets also available.
3. Middlewood and Halfway Park & Ride. This site also offers secure car parking at easily accessible locations outside of the City Centre combined with a regular tram service to take you hassle free to your destination.

Supertram

The Sheffield Arena has its very own stop – Arena / Olympic Legacy Park. This tram stop is served by the Yellow Route and Tram Train, both of which bypass the traffic giving you a fast, smooth and reliable way to get to your event. There’s no need to buy a ticket before you get on board – there is a conductor on every tram.

Bus

The Arena is served by several bus routes; visit the Travel South Yorkshire website. You can also view a full list of route maps for the whole region.

Taxi

City Taxis are Sheffield’s Premier taxi company – contact them or visit their web site.

Rail Travel

The Arena has two rail stations within easy reach of the venue.

Sheffield’s main railway station is situated in the City Centre – Sheaf Street, Sheffield, S1 2BP – and is approximately a 10 minute taxi or 20 minute Supertram journey to the venue.

An alternative station is available at Meadowhall Interchange – which has a Supertram link to the venue – approximately a 5 minute Supertram journey to the venue.

Where to eat and sleep?

Event specials, tasty pizza, premium hotdogs, all freshly prepared, as well as a selection of hot and cold drinks.

Whether you’re coming straight from work; treating the family; enjoying a group night out or celebrating a special occasion, you can start the show early!

The food outlets are open from the doors time published on your ticket and close approximately 20 minutes from the scheduled conclusion of the show.

The Arena has achieved top marks in the food hygiene rating scheme awarded by the Food Standards Agency. The venue has held the highest food hygiene rating every year since the scheme was introduced.

There are 8 fast Food & Drink outlets situated around the concourse serving fries, burgers, pizzas and hot dogs as well as ice creams, sweets and crisps. Depending on the attendance of the event, not all Food & Drink outlets will be open but you can find out which are open from the information point.

The building is licensed and serves a range of alcoholic drinks. It may be a requirement that drinks are decanted into plastic cups on some events. They operate a Challenge 25 policy so please be prepared to provide photo ID if you are lucky enough to look under 25 and want to purchase alcoholic products from the Arena. Complimentary tap water is available upon request from the outlets.

You can take your purchases into the Arena and consume them in the comfort of your own seat on most events.

There are different levels of accommodation & facilities often with preferential rates for customers coming to shows at the Arena.

1. Jurys Inn. Centrally located on Eyre Street in the heart of the city, Jurys Inn Sheffield is the perfect place to stay whether you’re visiting the city for business or leisure.
2. Ibis Budget Sheffield Arena. As the closest hotel to the Sheffield Arena. The Ibis budget Arena is a 3 minutes’ walk away with easy transportation links to the city centre. Ibis budget Sheffield Arena offers bright modern rooms with free WIFI and a 24 hours reception desk.
3. Halifax Hall. Halifax Hall Hotel provides a perfect tranquil retreat, set within the idyllic, leafy & peaceful Endcliffe suburb of Sheffield. The hotel, set within its own grounds, provides free car parking & free Wifi for all guests.
4. Mercure Sheffield Parkway. Mercure Sheffield Parkway, a modern 4 star hotel just 4 miles away from the Sheffield City Centre and a stone’s throw from junction 33 of the M1.
5. Jonas Hotel. The Jonas Hotel provides the perfect environment to relax, unwind & kick-back with fellow guests within a truly unique hotel.

Facilities

Whether you’re entertaining corporate guests, family or friends here at the Utilita Arena Sheffield they offer unrivalled VIP hospitality. With a program of events that includes rock, pop, theatre, ice shows & world class sport, there is truly something for everyone at the Arena. Experience fantastic service in the Utilita Arena Club, our Superstar Hospitality Experience Suites, or the exclusive Utilita Lounge.

Suites

Newly refurbished suites are available to hire for an event of your choice & accommodate up to 12 people.

Luxurious suites have a private WC, Bar and TV with superb menu choices available to make your event an experience.

Utilita Arena Club

Arena Club hospitality experiences include perks such as prime location seats, early entry and pre-show dinner.

Whether it is a more formal sit down meal in the Arena Club Experience or a casual bar & buffet in the VIP Lounge Experience there is a wide range of packages in the Arena Club.

Premium Lounge

The Premium Lounge is a great place for couples, friends, and family to catch up, whilst enjoying a long-awaited gig. Premium Lounge tickets guarantee you the best seats in the house, along with exclusive access to the Lounge’s private entrance, bar, cloakroom, and washroom facilities. You will have the opportunity to pre-order premium drinks for your arrival, during the interval and after the show; as well as enjoying two free drinks on the house!

Accessibility

The Arena is a purpose built venue offering excellent facilities for visitors with access issues – the number of spaces available varies on a show by show & early booking is strongly recommended.

Only Wheelchair Accessible tickets/Essential Companion tickets can be purchased online through the ticket service provider website Ticketmaster.

If you are a visitor that requires a personal assistant to attend the show with you then it may be possible to claim a complimentary personal assistant ticket. This can differ from show to show so please check availability before booking your ticket. They will need to ask questions to ascertain the nature of the disability to ensure you are offered the most appropriate seating and that you qualify for a complimentary personal assistant ticket.

As with all tickets on an on sale the lines can be very busy – please keep trying as soon as it is possible to answer your call we will. Again, as with all tickets we strongly recommend you prepare in advance of a show on sale to check booking procedures and ensure any entitlements are confirmed in advance – an on sale assistance guide is available here.

Parking Facilities

Accessible car parking facilities are available at the Arena. With reserved larger parking spaces adjacent to the venue outside the venues Red and Blue concourse – for ice hockey fixtures only there is also additional parking adjacent to the venue on the Green concourse. Advanced purchased car park tickets are the only way to guarantee your parking space and these must be purchased online at the time you purchase your event tickets.

Anyone arranging to drop-off, meet or pick-up someone from an event must do so away from the venue and the car parks. This can be inconvenient but is a necessary measure for the security of everyone coming to the venue.

Access to Concourse Level

Concourse can by accessed via lifts located on the ground floor Entries B & C or via an external ramp located on the Blue side of the building close to Entry C.

Box Office

The venue Box Office is located at Entrance C on the ground floor and has a purpose built low level counter. A hearing assistance system is installed on box office counters marked with the international symbol of deafness or hard of hearing for customers with hearing difficulties. There is ample parking outside the entrance, including accessible parking spaces.

Viewing Platforms

There are three viewing platforms accessed via red concourse, two via green and three via blue – these are called Seating Bays. On most concerts one personal assistant/companion is permitted to sit in this area with the customer who requires the assistant/companion. On family shows they try to accommodate more if they can within the available space. They also try to hold the closest possible regular seating to accommodate additional family members. Everyone who attends the show is required to purchase a ticket unless otherwise stated on the event.

Accessible Toilets

There are three sets of accessible toilets on the ground level accessible to public (Entry B, C and D) plus 4 purpose built unisex facilities on concourse level – these are signed and directly accessed from concourse and are located 2 on Red concourse and 2 on Blue concourse. RADAR locks are used and a key can be obtained from information on green concourse (although customers may have their own which they can also use). Ask a steward who will advise of the nearest facilities.

Assistance Dogs

Assistance dogs are permitted into the venue and pass outs will be provided if the customer requires in order for toileting etc. If you wish to bring an assistance dog call the Accessible booking line and a member of the team will allocate you the most suitable seating available. Or alternatively use the contact us form to make enquiries with Customer Services.

Assistive Listening Devices

Hearing assistance is offered with the Sennheiser Tourguide 2020-D system. This transmits an audio feed of the event using FM radio frequencies.

Due to the limited number of devices it’s strongly recommended you book in advance. If you require a headset make this known at the time of booking your event ticket. You can book via the dedicated access via email only at [email protected]. If you are already here at an event ask a steward to direct you to Information on Green Concourse and if there are any devices available you will be loaned these.

The following devices are available at our venue:

Stethoset receivers earphones are built in – for people who need a clearer audio feed, predominantly spoken word type events where background noise and reverberation in the hall reduces the intelligibility of what customers hear.

Bodypack receivers – with 3.5 mm audio port – as above, but for people who want to use their own earphones/headphones OR for hearing aid users via an induction neck loop.

Induction neck loops – for use with the bodypack receivers, they plug into the audio port and then create a small induction loop for the user to then connect their hearing aid to.

Strobe Lighting

If strobe lighting is going to be used at an event information advising customers of this is clearly displayed next to every set of doors on concourse. There would be no warnings during the performance.

Medical Services

Medical cover is provided on all events with a First Aid room provided located on the Green concourse.

Changing Facilities

There is 1 assisted changing facility with a height adjustable adult-sized changing bench and a tracking hoist system located at Entry B should customers require.

Care Room

There is a care room that can be used during a show from the doors open time until the event ends.

This is a private room located just off reception at Entrance B – if you would like to use this room contact a steward who will check on availability and arrange access.

Medical Requirements

If you need to bring medicines, food, drink or equipment to manage a medical equipment please email [email protected] so we can arrange to make provisions for this.

CredAbility Verified Accessible Venue

The Utilita Arena accepts the Access Card. The card has been designed by CredAbility to easily and discreetly let businesses know the specific needs of visitors with access issues. It translates a person’s disability / impairment into symbols which highlight the barriers they face and the reasonable adjustments they might need.

The Arena is working with Attitude is Everything, which is an organisation that supports the music industry to make live music events more accessible.

For more information about the organisation, attitude is everything, you can visit their website www.attitudeiseverything.org.uk.

History

Constructed at a cost of £34 million, it was opened by Queen Elizabeth II on 30 May 1991 as Sheffield Arena. The first concert took place that evening, Paul Simon playing as part of his “Born at the Right Time” tour. The arena then took on the role of Gymnastics Hall for the 1991 World Student Games which were held in the city and which prompted the investment in, and development of, both the arena and nearby Don Valley Stadium.