Take That at AO Arena - list of banned items and rules for Manchester shows

Tomorrow evening Take That will head to the AO Arena for the first of several dates at the venue as they kick off their Manchester residency.

The group's 'This Life on Tour' May shows were moved to the AO Arena after it was confirmed that the Co-op Live arena would not be ready to host the band amid ongoing issues at the venue. Take That were due to play the new venue across five dates this week but following a cancelled opening show at the new Eastlands venue, the gigs were moved to the city's other arena.

The Manchester-formed band announced their stadium tour back in September, and will be playing a total of seven dates in the city over the coming weeks. The gigs on May 7,9,10,11 and 12 May will be played at The AO Arena, while their June 11 and 12 gigs are still slated to take place at Co-op Live.

READ MORE: AO Arena responds after fears Take That fans seated 'behind the stage'

Take That were last in Manchester for their 2019 Odyssey Tour, which saw them perform for five nights at the AO Arena. The trio also reunited onstage at the King's Coronation Concert at Windsor Castle in May 2023.

The three piece kicked off their tour in Sheffield earlier in April and their new live show sees Gary Barlow, Howard Donald and Mark Owen perform a host of new tracks as well as a selection of their biggest hits from their three decades in the music business. Pop star Olly Murs is the support act for the tour and has already won a lot of praise from fans who have seen the show to date.

Whilst there's no big dance crew in tow, fans can expect the three singers to shine across a variety of stages on a split stage, plus plenty of colourful costume changes, rain, fire and lost of confetti cascaded over the crowd. The show does however start with the boys emerging from a giant TV box to perform Keep Your Head Up and Windows.

Despite the shows being moved, some fans have hit out after complaining that they have been re-assigned 'far worse' seats for the band's rearranged gigs. AO Arena general manager Jen Mitchell said the venue 'completely sympathises' with fans, but explained that the venue does not manage ticketing.

She said: "Ticketing providers are working incredibly hard to do what they can to allocate the best appropriate equivalent seats for upcoming shows, and to make sure fans are as well located as they can be based on original bookings."

One of the ticketing providers has now commented too. In a statement on X, Ticketmaster said: "With Take That’s shows moving to a new venue with a different layout, new seating locations may vary but are as close to the original seats as possible. Refunds are available by request and the team is available if you need any information, please reach out via your Ticketmaster account."

Here's a full round-up of what you can and can't take to the shows, and more info on what you can and can't do at the gigs too. Taking your own food and drink into the arena is not allowed - but there are lots of food and drink options both inside and outside.

As there will be security checks, the advice is to get there early to make sure you're inside in plenty of time for the show to start.

Can you take a bag into the AO Arena?

The venue's advice is to keep personal belongings to a minimum. They allow one small bag per person, however, shopping bags, backpacks, travel cases, laptop bags and large tote bags are not permitted inside the arena.

There are no storage facilities at the venue and the venue is not responsible for late admission or non-admission due to failure to comply with the above rules.

Bag size limits are as follows:

• All bags larger than 30cm wide x 40cm long x 20cm deep (approx. A3 sized) are strictly prohibited.
  

• Backpacks are not permitted and there is no facility to store prohibited items.

• Bags that can be worn on the back must not exceed 30cm wide x 20cm long x 20cm deep (approx. A4 sized).

Can you take your own food and drink into the AO Arena?

No food or drink items can be taken into the AO Arena. Only food and drink items purchased on the premises may be consumed inside.

If you have any specific dietary or medical requirements, the advice is to speak to a steward at the door upon arrival and contact the AO Arena in advance with your request.

The venue does have a range of refreshment stands offering a variety of hot and cold food and drinks, including alcoholic beverages.

What can you not take into the AO Arena?

The list below includes examples of other items prohibited. This list is not exhaustive and other items may be refused at the point of entry.

• Glass, cans, aluminium bottles or thermoses of any kind including liquid products which can be consumed

• Flammable liquids in any container

• Laser pens/pointers

• Video cameras, recording devices and professional cameras

• Laptop computers, iPads, Go Pro’s or tablets with filming and recording capabilities

• Large/golf/metal tipped umbrellas

• Knives or weapons of any kind

• Illegal drugs or substances

• Alcoholic beverages

• Signs, banners or flags on poles, staffs or selfie sticks

• Animals (except ADUK registered service dogs)

• Air horns, whistles, cowbells or other noise-making distractions

• Projectiles (frisbees, beach balls, footballs etc)

• Aerosol cans (hairspray, deodorant etc )

• Fireworks, confetti, glitter bombs or flares

• Balloons

• Use of wheeled footwear, skateboards

• Food and drinks

• Helmets and full face masks

• Large studs and chains

Can you smoke?

The AO Arena operates a strict no smoking policy which also includes the use of e-cigarettes (except within any designated vaping areas; conditions apply).

There are no pass-outs or readmissions of any kind. If customers choose to leave the venue to smoke, they will not be allowed back in to the venue.