Utilita Arena Birmingham
Indoor Arena – Music, Comedy and Sport Venue – Birmingham
The Utilita Arena in Birmingham is one of the newer sporting and entertainment venue in the country, which opened in 1991. It was originally known as the National Indoor Arena (October 1991 – December 2014), before having it’s name changed to the Barclaycard Arena (December 2014 – August 2017). After being known as Arena Birmingham until 14th April 2020, it has since been known at the Utilita Arena.
Several famous sporting events have taken place there over the years, including the Davis Cup (1999, 2002 & 2016) and the 2022 Commonwealth Games. The arena has also played host to several significant music events, including the 1998 Eurovision Song Contest and Linkin Park’s One More Light Tour in July 2017.
Peter Kay is one of the world’s most renowned stand up comedians, and he will be performing at the arena in 2023. His fantastic ‘Better Late than Never’ tour will be performed at the Utilita Arena on several dates from April 2024 to December 2025.
Travel FAQs Utilita Arena Birmingham Hospitality Register Your Interest
Utilita Arena Birmingham Hospitality
Don’t miss out on VIP hospitality packages, offering several experiences for the Peter Kay Live Tour! Enjoy fantastic views, champagne reception and exceptional fine-dining for a memorable evening at Utilita Arena Birmingham.
At Eventmasters, we are delighted to offer 2 VIP Hospitality packages so you can enjoy Peter Kay’s world-class comedy in some style. These two packages are the Club Hospitality Package and the Freestyle Hospitality Package. Both packages offer a multi-course meal, exclusive check-in with a private entrance, complimentary drinks and inclusive onsite parking (one parking pass per two people).
Peter Kay Live – Utilita Arena Birmingham
Peter Kay Hospitality Packages & VIP Tickets – Peter Kay Live
Discover more about Utilita Arena Birmingham
Utilita Arena Birmingham History
The Utilita Arena Birmingham is one of the most renowned sports and entertainment venues in the country, and it has been operating for over 30 years since it was opened by Linford Christie on Friday 4th October 1991. The arena was originally known as the National Indoor Arena (NIA). It is also the largest indoor sporting and entertainment venue in the Second City.
The venue is of course not just a home for world class entertainment. Sport has been played there since it opened, and in 1993 it played host to the IBF World Championship and then the netball World Championship in 1995.
It’s first significant entertainment event that it hosted was the Eurovision Song Contest in 1998, which was won by Dana International (Israel) with her song ‘Diva’. It then hosted Great Britain Davis Cup matches against United States (1999), Sweden and Thailand (2002) and against Japan in 2016.
The Utilita Arena Birmingham has also been the host of Premier League Darts every year since 2007.
Fast forward to 2012, Birmingham City Council approved plans to refurbish and renovate the National Indoor Arena. The renovations, which would go on to cost £26 million, began in June 2013. Improvements included the three famous ‘sky needle’ light sculptures, a glazed façade facing towards a new canal and brand new hospitality facilities.
The renovations concluded in December 2014, with Michael Bublé performing as part of the venue’s re-opening. This also coincided with a name change. The NIA was now to be known as the Barclaycard Arena.
Peter Kay’s ‘Better Late Than Never’ tour is not the only world class comedy event to take place at the Utilita Arena in Birmingham. Fellow comedian Lee Evans performed at the arena as part of his Monsters Tour, which was to be his last before retirement.
In 2017, the Arena’s name changed again to Arena Birmingham, and in the same year it hosted a performance from Linkin Park as part of his ‘One More Light Tour’.
By 2020, its name was changed once more to its current name – the Utilita Arena Birmingham.
Now, in 2023, the Utilita Arena in Birmingham has a capacity of 15,800 and is set to host a world class performance from globally renowned comedian Peter Kay as part of his ‘Better Late Than Never’ Tour.
Utilita Arena Birmingham Facilities
There are plenty of facilities at the Utilita Arena in Birmingham. Not only is it home to an arena with a large stage and a capacity of 15,800, it is also home to accessible toilets, merchandise shops, two large car parks (with blue badge parking available) as well as the unsigned stage, where a variety of unsigned artists perform ahead of the main act.
There are also several hotels located in close proximity to the Utilita Arena in Birmingham. They are: Hilton Garden Inn (0.2 miles away), Premier Inn Birmingham City Centre Broad Street Hotel (0.3 miles away), Novotel Birmingham Centre (0.2 miles away) and Travelodge Birmingham Central (0.3 miles away).
Attractions nearby
Legoland Discovery Centre
Just on the doorstep of the Utilita Arena Birmingham is the Legoland Discovery Centre which is the ideal place for fun for all the family. It is home to a 4D cinema, two rides and you can also of course play with Lego to your heart’s content.
National Sea Life Centre Birmingham
The National Sea Life Centre in Birmingham is yet another fantastic day out for all of the family. Take a look at some of the most spectacular and awe-inspiring sea life, including starfish and tropical sharks. There are also unique views of the sea life, including a tunnel where animals will swim all around you.
Escape Brum
Located in the Jewellery Quarter in Birmingham’s City Centre, ‘Escape Brum’ is an escape room venue. It is home to two unique rooms, which are called ‘Blackmail’ and ‘The Mystic’s Cabin’. Blackmail is a traditional office escape, whilst The Mystic’s Cabin tasks you with locating and retrieving a mysterious statue to then return to it’s owner.
Visiting Utilita Arena in Birmingham
Please use of map provided by Google for directions to the Utilita Arena in Birmingham.
How do I get to Utilita Arena Birmingham by car?
If you are travelling to the Utilita Arena by car, please take note of the Clean Air Zone, where you will be charged £8 per day in which your vehicle does not meet Birmingham’s emissions standards.
Remain on the M1 motorway until you see signs for Red House/M18/M1. Follow these signs until you arrive at junction 35, where you will need to take the M18 exit onto Sheffield/M1/Scunthorpe/M180. Once you get to the Wadworth Viaduct, you will need to take the 3rd exit onto the M18 slip road towards Sheffield/M1.
Merge onto the M18 before using the right 2 lanes to take the exit towards the M1/Nottingham. You will then need to merge onto the M1 before taking the A42 exit towards Birmingham and then continue onto the A42.
You will then need to follow signs for Tamworth/Birmingham before then taking the left 2 lanes in order to take the M6 (North) exit towards Birmingham (Central, East, North & West). Once you have merged onto the M6, you should then take the A38 (M)/A38 exit towards Birmingham (Central)/Birmingham (North-East).
Follow signs for the A38/Birmingham before merging onto the A38 (M). You should then continue onto the Aston Express Way/A38 and you will need to stay on this road until you take a slight left to exit onto the Great Charles Street Queensway/A4400.
Continue onto Parade/B4135, before turning left onto Clement Street. Finally, at the subsequent roundabout, you will need to continue straight onto St. Vincent Street and the venue will be on your left.
How do I get to Utilita Arena Birmingham by train?
The nearest train station to the Utilita Arena is Birmingham New Street. New Street is located just over a mile away from the Arena. You will then have a convenient walk to the venue, which will take approximately 20 minutes.
Another train station that is located in close proximity to the Utilita Arena is Five Ways, which is less than a mile’s walk away. Taxis are also available from the Five Ways Train Station.
How do I get to Utilita Arena Birmingham by bus/metro?
The Utilita Arena Birmingham is located in the City Centre. The closest bus stop to the arena itself is served by the 126 bus service which runs regularly.
There are trams every 15 minutes (4:45am to 7am), every 6 to 8 minutes during the day and every 15 minutes (7pm to 12:45am) to the Brindley Plan and Library Tram Stations, which are both located in a short walking distance of the Utilita Arena.
How do I get to Utilita Arena Birmingham by air/taxi?
Birmingham Airport (BHX) is the closest airport to the Utilita Arena. The airport is less than 15 miles away. Taxis are available to get you to the arena from Birmingham Airport, or if you would rather take a train from the airport, the Birmingham International Station will have regular services to Birmingham New Street. New Street is less than 2 miles away from the arena, making it a convenient distance to walk.
Taxis are also available to take you to the arena from the Birmingham International Station.
Utilita Arena Birmingham FAQs
Can I use cash at the Utilita Arena Birmingham?
No, you will not be able to use cash anywhere in the Utilita Arena in Birmingham. The venue only takes contactless payments (Apple Pay, Google Wallet, Samsung Pay, contactless debit or credit card) at the various facilities available to you.
What are the times for the Peter Kay performances?
Note that times will vary and are subject to change. We can use the performance on Saturday 17th December as an example. Doors open at 18:30, with the gig lasting until approximately 11pm.
What are some examples of the accessibility features of the Utilita Arena Birmingham?
Assistance Dogs are allowed, but it is not recommended at loud events or concerts. You will have to inform the arena beforehand.
Accessible toilets are available in the following locations: Concourse Level 1 (opposite Block 2), Concourse Level 2 (opposite Block 12), Arena floor level (inside Entrance C), Arena floor level within Beat, inside Entrance E).
Wheelchairs are available, but it is recommended that you bring your own with you. Wheelchairs can take you to your seat, but are not allowed during the event.
As for parking, Blue Badge Parking is available on Level 9 in the North Car Park. Blue Badge Parking is also available on Level 11 of the South Car Park
How much will tickets/hospitality packages cost for Peter Kay’s gig?
Prices will of course vary from package to package. Prices start at £345+VAT for Freestyle Hospitality. As for the Club Hospitality, prices start at £399+VAT.
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