The M&S Bank Arena sits on Liverpool's Kings Dock waterfront as part of the ACC Liverpool campus, which also includes the Exhibition Centre Liverpool and the BT Convention Centre. With a capacity of around 11,000, it is the largest dedicated arena in the Liverpool City Region and hosts a strong programme of concerts, comedy, and entertainment throughout the year. Its waterfront location gives it a setting that few other UK arenas can match.
Getting to the M&S Bank Arena
By train
Liverpool Lime Street is the city's main rail hub, roughly a 20-minute walk from the arena or a short taxi ride. Direct services run from London Euston (around 2 hours 15 minutes via Avanti West Coast), Manchester (around 50 minutes), and Birmingham (around 90 minutes). Liverpool Central station, served by Merseyrail services, is a similar distance. From either station, the walk takes you through the city centre and down to the waterfront.
By bus
Several bus routes serve the waterfront area. The city centre bus stops on Lord Street and Paradise Street are within a 15-minute walk. Liverpool ONE bus station is also reasonably close.
By car
The ACC Liverpool campus has its own multi-storey car park on Monarchs Quay, directly next to the arena. Parking can be pre-booked online and typically costs around £10 to £15 for events. The venue is accessible from the M62 (from Manchester and the east) and the M57/M58 (from the north). Follow signs for Kings Dock once in the city centre. The car park is one of the more convenient arena parking options in the UK, as it is right next to the entrance.
Seating and layout
The M&S Bank Arena has a flexible layout with a floor area and two seating tiers. The lower tier sits closest to the action, with the upper tier above. The configuration changes depending on the event, with concerts typically using an end-on stage and the floor area set up for either standing or seated audiences.
Best seats for concerts
The blocks directly facing the stage in the lower tier are the prime spots. The arena is mid-sized, so even upper tier seats feel reasonably close. For a good balance of view and atmosphere, the front rows of the upper tier facing the stage are hard to beat. The venue's sound is generally well-regarded, partly because its more modest size avoids the echoing acoustics that plague some of the larger UK arenas.
The waterfront
The M&S Bank Arena's biggest advantage is its location. Kings Dock is part of Liverpool's UNESCO-listed waterfront (though Liverpool was removed from the World Heritage list in 2021, the area remains stunning). The Albert Dock, a five-minute walk north along the waterfront, is home to Tate Liverpool, the Beatles Story, and a range of restaurants and bars. The Royal Albert Dock restaurants are a popular pre-show destination.
Food and drink
Inside the arena, the standard range of concession food and drink is available. Outside, the options are much better. The Albert Dock restaurants include independents and chains, and the surrounding waterfront area has continued to develop. Liverpool ONE, the large shopping and dining complex, is a 10-minute walk and has dozens of restaurants. For something more casual, Bold Street in the city centre (about a 15-minute walk) is Liverpool's independent food hub.
Practical tips
- Pre-book parking -- The Monarchs Quay car park is convenient but fills up. Booking in advance guarantees your space.
- Walk along the waterfront -- If the weather is good, arrive early and walk the waterfront from the city centre. It is one of the best urban walks in the UK.
- After the show -- The city centre nightlife is a taxi ride or 20-minute walk from the arena. Concert Square and the surrounding streets are the main late-night areas.
- Combine with a day out -- Liverpool's cultural attractions (the two cathedrals, the Beatles story, the Walker Art Gallery, the museums on the waterfront) make it worth arriving early and making a day of it.
- Wind off the Mersey -- The waterfront is exposed. On cold or windy evenings, the walk from the car park or the Dock to the entrance can be bracing. Bring a layer.
If you are considering upgrading your experience, our guide to VIP and hospitality at UK arenas explains the options. For help choosing between standing and seated, check out our standing vs seated comparison. Find more event guides at Tickts.
