Overview

A huge venue with lots going on. We visited the Emirates Arena to watch a Basketball game - we went to cafe and main arena, can't comment on other areas.

Transport & Parking

If travelling by car, large area of carpark with disabled parking bays. Seemed good layout with room around each parking bay. Although it was busy for the event when we were there, there were staff directing the traffic as it arrived/left. This was well organised, it did take a bit of time for everyone to get out, but seemed to go smoothly. I don't know about public transport to here.

Access

We went to the cafe first which is on the ground floor. There are automatic doors and then level access. Next to the cafe are male/female/accessible toilets. There is a lift to go to the main arena - we didnt realise at first that the lift is outside, beside the stairs. So if in the cafe, you need to go back out to this. It is signposted on the wall outside, but high up, and we hadn't noticed it, however staff were helpful when we asked about it. From the lift, you go to level 3, and it is then level access. In the foyer (when basketball on) there are a variety of food and merchandise stands. There are also can/snack machines throughout. In the arena there are many wheelchair spaces all on the same level as the entrance and foyer. They each have at least one seat next to them and are in short rows spaced right around the arena. Steps to other seats. Yellow edging on steps but didn't have handrails most of the way. Flip-up seats. For Basketball the arena was quite noisy. This might not suit everybody, but for others it adds to the experience and atmosphere.

Toilets

There are lots of accessible toilets in the building, there are many around the arena. All that I saw were roomy enough to have a wheelchair and carer in, if required. Baby changing facilities were not sharing this space. I noticed in several of them though, the emergency pull-cords were tucked in behind things, so could be out of reach if someone needed them.

Staff

Didn't speak to staff all that much, but were helpful when asked them for directions to lift, finding our seats etc.

Anything else you wish to tell us?

We enjoyed our day. Family friendly, and with different entertainment going on as well as the game itself. We particularly liked seeing the Basketball Acrobatics team.

Photos