The new Co-op Live arena and Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) have announced a new initiative.

It will mean travel on Metrolink and the new city centre shuttle buses will be included in all tickets to events at the arena from April 20 to June 30, 2024, marking the new venue’s opening season.

The arena is committed to sustainable travel and will give fans access to up to four hours on the Metrolink before the shows and up to four hours after them with a valid event ticket, depending on the times of the shows.

All four zones of Manchester’s Metrolink will be included in the initiative so that anyone travelling to a show during this period can make the most of it.

Trams will be available every six minutes all day Monday to Friday and on Fridays and Saturdays later trams will be available to use, allowing more capacity between Manchester city centre and the Etihad Campus tram stop.

Co-op Live and TfGM are also set to introduce a city centre shuttle bus service with the number of buses depending on the event (a maximum of 10 will be available per show).

Buses will leave from Joe Mercer Way at the Etihad Campus and drop visitors off at Piccadilly Gardens. 

You can find out more about Co-op Live and TfGM’s travel plans for visitors, via the venue’s website.

@gigsandtours Big news! @Peter Kay will be the first act to perform at Co-op Live, the UK’s largest live entertainment arena, on 23 April 2024! 🥳 Tickets on sale 10am Friday 23rd Feb from tix.to/PeterKay #peterkay #manchester ♬ original sound - Gigs and Tours

Gary Roden, Executive Director and General Manager, Co-op Live, said: “We are dedicated to ensuring easy and accessible transport links to and from Co-op Live and are delighted to be working with Transport for Greater Manchester to offer this inclusive service for our fans for opening season. 

“Coupled with the planning application submitted for a new ‘CityLink’ walking route from the city centre to the Etihad Campus, we are further demonstrating our commitment to the environment by encouraging more sustainable transport choices, and providing additional neighbour-friendly options to support increased footfall across East Manchester.”

Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, said: “Co-op Live is an exciting addition to Manchester’s already buzzing music and entertainment scene and this travel offer will mean people off to enjoy a night out watching the biggest acts in music, comedy and entertainment can do so knowing they will be able to get there and back without any hassle. 

The Oldham Times:

“As we build the Bee Network we want to make it easier for people to make all kinds of journeys and this pioneering partnership between TfGM and Co-op Live is showing that in action.

“This is a big step to ensuring everyone can enjoy the city’s unrivalled nightlife knowing safe, reliable and sustainable travel is all part of the package and I can’t wait to get down there myself when the new arena opens in April.”

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Fran Wilkinson, Customer and Growth Director, TfGM, said: “We are delighted to have partnered with Co-op Live to bring the people of Greater Manchester this groundbreaking travel offer ahead of the UK’s biggest arena opening its doors in our city centre.

“It’s vitally important that there are no barriers to people enjoying everything our city region has to offer and initiatives like this - together with our plans for a new walking route from the city centre to the Etihad Campus – demonstrate our commitment to a thriving night-time economy.

“This new offer will provide safe, reliable and sustainable transport to and from Co-op Live and I hope everyone gets on board as they head off to enjoy a show.”