Co-op Live and Transport for Greater Manchester: details of partnership ahead of arena opening

Fans attending gigs during the first weeks of Co-op Live’s opening will be able to benefit from a ticketing partnership. The venue has teamed up with Transport for Greater Manchester to provide Metrolink and park and ride travel for gig-goers. 

If you have a ticket for an event between April 20 and June 30 2024, you’ll be able to take advantage of this partnership. For four hours before and after the event, travel on the Metrolink and new city centre shuttle buses will be included with your ticket. 

The partnership will include travel in all four Metrolink zones. Fans will also be able to benefit from trams running every six minutes as well as later services on a Friday and Saturday. There is also expected to be increased capacity on trams to and from Etihad Campus. 

The venue is just a 25-minute walk from the city centre. A regenerated step-free, well-lit, interactive walking route (also marked on maps as ‘CityLink’) is clearly signposted from Piccadilly Station and through the Ancoats and New Islington areas. Helpers will also be on hand to support on show days.

Co-op Live opens up in just over a month, with Bolton-comedian Peter Kay confirmed as the first act to take to the stage. He will play back-to-back nights on April 23 and 24 and will kick off a packed schedule of performers. 

Fran Wilkinson, Customer and Growth Director at TfGM, said: “It’s an exciting time as the fantastic new Co-op Live prepares to welcome some of the world’s biggest stars to Manchester – and we want to make sure everyone gets to and from their show as quickly and easily as possible.

“By choosing public transport or walking, wheeling or cycling you can dodge the traffic and with tram and bus shuttles included with your ticket you can also save yourself some money.”