The O2 Arena on the Greenwich Peninsula is the busiest music arena in the world by ticket sales, hosting roughly 200 events a year across music, comedy, sport, and entertainment. With a seated capacity of around 20,000, it is the largest indoor arena in the UK and a venue that most live event fans will visit at some point. Here is what you need to know before you go.
Getting to The O2
The O2 sits on the north bank of a bend in the Thames at Greenwich, and while it can feel slightly out of the way compared to central London venues, the transport links are actually very good once you know which ones to use.
By Tube
North Greenwich station on the Jubilee line is the closest stop and sits directly next to the venue. From central London, the journey takes roughly 15 to 20 minutes from stations like Westminster, Bond Street, or Baker Street. The station handles large crowd volumes well, with wide platforms and multiple exits. On busy event nights, Transport for London sometimes runs additional services, so check the TfL website before travelling.
By Bus
Several bus routes serve the North Greenwich bus station, including the 108, 129, 132, 161, 188, 422, 472, and 486. The bus station is a short walk from the arena entrance.
By Thames Clipper
The Uber Boat by Thames Clippers river bus service stops at North Greenwich Pier, which is directly beside The O2. This is one of the most scenic ways to arrive and is particularly good if you are coming from central or east London. Services run from piers at Westminster, Embankment, Waterloo, Canary Wharf, and Greenwich.
By Car
Driving to The O2 is possible but not recommended for most events. There is on-site parking, but spaces are limited and charges apply. The car parks often fill up well before showtime for popular events. If you do drive, be aware that The O2 is within the ULEZ zone. The postcode for sat nav is SE10 0DX.
By Emirates Air Line
The Emirates Air Line cable car connects The O2 to the ExCeL London exhibition centre on the other side of the Thames. It is more of a novelty than a practical transport option for most people, but if you are coming from the Royal Docks area, it works well enough.
The venue layout
The O2 Arena sits inside the larger O2 complex, which is the distinctive white dome structure (formerly the Millennium Dome). The complex also includes a cinema, restaurants, bars, and the smaller Indigo venue at The O2, which hosts events for up to 2,800 people.
Inside the arena itself, seating is arranged in two main tiers. The lower tier (blocks 101 to 118) wraps around the floor level. The upper tier (blocks 401 to 420) sits above. For most concerts, the floor area is configured as either standing or a mix of standing and seated, depending on the artist and production.
Best seats for concerts
For concerts with a standard end-stage setup, the blocks directly facing the stage (typically around blocks 101 to 103 and 401 to 404) offer the best sightlines. Side-on blocks give a good view of the production but you may be looking at the performer in profile. The upper tier has a steep rake, so even the back rows have decent visibility. If you are in standing, arriving early is the only way to guarantee a spot near the front.
Food and drink at The O2
The O2 complex has a wide range of restaurants and fast food outlets in the Entertainment District surrounding the arena. Options include chains like Wagamama, Nando's, Pizza Express, and Five Guys, along with various independent food outlets. Many people eat before the show rather than relying on the concessions inside the arena, where prices are higher and queues are longer.
Inside the arena, there are concession stands on every level selling the usual range of burgers, hot dogs, nachos, and drinks. Expect to pay arena prices, which typically means £6 to £8 for a pint and £8 to £12 for food items. Card payment is standard throughout.
Practical tips
- Arrive early -- The doors typically open 60 to 90 minutes before the main act. Give yourself time to get through security, find your seat, and grab food or drinks without rushing.
- Bag policy -- The O2 has a bag size limit. Bags larger than 35cm x 40cm x 19cm are not permitted. There is no cloakroom for oversized bags, so leave large bags at home or in your hotel.
- Phone charging -- There are charging stations within the complex, but they can be busy. Bring a portable charger if you want to film or photograph the show.
- After the show -- North Greenwich station gets extremely busy immediately after events finish. If you are not in a hurry, wait 15 to 20 minutes in one of the bars or restaurants and let the initial rush pass. The last trains run well after most events finish.
For more advice on choosing the right spot at large venues, see our guide to getting the best seats at arena shows. If you are considering a VIP experience, our guide to VIP and hospitality at UK arenas covers what to expect. And if you are new to big arena events in general, our guide on how to avoid queues at arena events is worth reading before you go.
