Our Accessibility Promise

AXS (our ticketing partner) partners with Nimbus Disability. If you are registered with Nimbus and have an Access Card, you can use it when purchasing tickets through AXS to unlock accessible seating that matches your requirements. Events with accessible and companion tickets can be purchased on AXS.com (if available) by clicking on the "Buy Tickets" button under Accessible Tickets on the event page. Check the AXS help page for more information on buying accessible seating.

Specially trained assistance and guide dogs are welcome in the Arena. We recommend that dogs not be taken into the bowl for loud events. We are happy to look after your dog in a safe and secure environment with a designated area, bedding, and water bowls. Staff will take them outside for comfort breaks at regular intervals. Simply speak to a member of Security staff on arrival. Customers who need their dog with them at all times should notify us of their requirements at the time of booking, if possible. Dogs may only be allowed within certain seating areas within the arena bowl, depending on the event layout or the dog's size. Please ensure that your dog is identifiable as a trained assistance/guide dog or that you can provide the necessary training paperwork if requested. Dogs should be kept on a lead/harness at all times.

bp pulse LIVE has nine public, stand-alone, unisex accessible toilets for any customer with access requirements. These are located in the Forum and at the rear of Blocks 7, 11, and 15 in the Arena, all controlled by a RADAR key. Please speak to a steward in the area for a RADAR key if you do not have one. There are also unisex accessible/ambulant toilets in all our hospitality areas. Larger ambulant toilets are located within all single-sex toilets throughout the building, plus more in our Premium areas, which do not require a RADAR key. These generally have outward-opening doors and grab rails. Some have their own sinks and some have baby-changing facilities.

British Sign Language Interpreted Events / Audio Description: Where we can, we help facilitate these services when requested at least 8 weeks in advance of an event (subject to availability). If you have a request/query then please use the pre-event Contact Us details.

Wheelchairs: If you need a wheelchair and have your own or can borrow one, we recommend bringing it with you. We only have a very limited number of manual wheelchairs available for use in the venue which are available from entrance doors on a first come, first served basis. Please speak to a member of our Security staff on arrival for assistance. Please note that our wheelchairs are for use inside the venue only and cannot be taken to car parks/train station/taxi rank etc. The intended use of the wheelchairs is as a shuttle service to your seat from the entrance door and back again. Unfortunately, we cannot allow customers to keep our wheelchairs for the duration of the event.

We operate a radio frequency analogue hearing system that covers 100% of the Arena bowl, so you can book any seat or stand anywhere on the floor and still receive excellent sound quality. Customers wishing to use the system can do so free of charge and should speak to a member of Security on arrival at the Arena. We will then book out a receiver pack with lanyard and an earphone headset which plugs into the receiver. Alternatively, if you use a telecoil hearing aid, we can supply a personal neck loop which then plugs into the receiver to enhance the sound through your own hearing aid.

The NEC site (including bp pulse LIVE) has designated car park spaces for visitors with disabilities. On arrival at the NEC site, please follow the signage for Arena Disabled Parking. Traffic Officers will direct you to the most convenient parking area. For most Arena events, wider space parking is available next to the Arena in South 1 car park on a first-come, first-served basis (regardless of pre-payment). This car park is a 20–50m walk to/from the Box Office Accessible Entrance. If the Arena disabled parking area is full, customers will be directed to the overspill area in the South car parks (approx. 100–250m walk). Additional parking is available in the East car parks, serviced by free, accessible shuttle buses with a drop-off/pick-up point in front of the Arena Lakeside Accessible entrance (open from doors open time). The service charge for all Arena car parking (including blue badge holders) is £14.50 if you pay on the day. Payment machines are inside the Arena and just outside the Box Office. We are a cashless venue, so payments are by debit/credit card or mobile phone online. You can pre-pay for parking now for £12.50 online. (Allocated parking for blue badge holders may differ for some events – always follow on-site signage.)

In addition to accessible toilets, bp pulse LIVE has a Changing Places toilet facility at the rear of Block 12. This facility meets the needs of people with multiple and complex disabilities who have one or more carers by providing extra features and more space, including a height-adjustable, adult-sized changing bench; a ceiling hoist system (please note: for health & safety reasons, we do not provide support slings; customers should bring their own); an automatic wash/dry, centrally located toilet; a height-adjustable washbasin; and a RADAR key operated door.

The Medical Centre is at the rear of Block 1 in the Arena. Qualified paramedic staff are on duty when bp pulse LIVE is open for an event. In a medical emergency, please notify a staff member who will assist you in getting to the Medical Centre or calling for a paramedic. If you have a medical condition requiring you to bring in equipment in a bag that contravenes our security bag policy, or food or soft drinks needed to manage your condition, please access the building via the Accessible Entrances and speak to staff. Our staff will assist you.

Many concerts/events use strobe lighting. We often will not know about this until the event day. If you have concerns, please speak to a steward who can provide further information.

If you have a seated ticket and a permanent condition requiring the use of a walking aid (crutches or walking sticks) but can negotiate steps, you may take these to your seat. Please store them under the seats so as not to cause an obstruction or trip hazard. We cannot accommodate persons with a leg/foot in a cast or full support into seating blocks (for safety reasons in an evacuation). Contact the ticketing provider before the event. Reseating is subject to availability. We permit the use of walking aids (crutches or walking sticks) on a standing floor, but please be mindful of your surroundings. We cannot accommodate wheelchairs/scooters, walking frames, or rollators in seating areas or on a standing floor (for safety reasons in an evacuation). If you use one of these, you will need to purchase tickets on one of our accessible platforms.

Mental health and wellbeing are hugely important to us at bp pulse LIVE, and we want everyone to feel welcome, safe, and comfortable. We are training staff as Mental Health First Aiders to offer support and have other initiatives planned. Arena/concert environments can be overwhelming. If you or a friend/family member needs support or time out, please speak to a staff member.

bp pulse LIVE supports the Sunflower Lanyard Scheme for people with hidden disabilities. Our staff are briefed to recognise the lanyard and offer assistance.

An in-house committee meets regularly to address services for disabled visitors, and regular audits of our building are undertaken in respect of access. If you have any suggestions or comments, please advise a staff member or write to: Visitor Experience Manager, The NEC, Birmingham, B40 1NT, or email us at feedback@necgroup.co.uk.