Motorpoint Arena Nottingham
Motorpoint Arena Nottingham is a 10,000-capacity arena in Nottingham, United Kingdom, and part of the National Ice Centre complex. It hosts sports events, shows, comedy and major live entertainment, while Nottingham Panthers make it their home ice in the Elite Ice Hockey League. That mix matters for buyers because demand shifts fast between Panthers dates, touring productions and one-off arena events, so Motorpoint Arena Nottingham tickets can tighten quickly around busy weekends and holiday periods.
The building opened in 2000 and sits on Bolero Square in the Lace Market area, close to central Nottingham. For buyers comparing events, the arena layout is flexible enough to switch between a 6,700-capacity ice hockey setup and a larger concert configuration, which changes sightlines, floor access and premium inventory. When official allocations are limited for popular dates, SeatPin gives buyers access to verified seller listings for Motorpoint Arena Nottingham tickets.
Why is it called Motorpoint Arena Nottingham?
Motorpoint Arena Nottingham is called that because Motorpoint holds the venue's naming rights under a commercial sponsorship agreement. That partnership began in 2015 and was extended again in August 2024 for another six years, while the Nottingham part of the name keeps the city identity front and centre for national tours, sports events and regional visitors.
The arena has carried several names since opening in 2000. It started as Nottingham Arena, then became Trent FM Arena Nottingham in 2008 and Capital FM Arena Nottingham in 2011, before adopting Motorpoint branding in January 2016. The general non-sponsored name remains Nottingham Arena, and many people still connect it closely with the National Ice Centre because both operate within the same wider complex.
Where are the best seats in Motorpoint Arena Nottingham?
The best seats in Motorpoint Arena Nottingham depend on the event format, but central side blocks 4, 5, 14 and 15 are usually the strongest all-round choice for concerts. These blocks give a cleaner angle to the stage than extreme side seats, while blocks 9 and 10 offer a direct end-on view from the rear. For high-energy shows, floor blocks A, B and C put you closest to the action, though sightlines can depend on crowd movement and stage height.
Premium seating is concentrated in the Executive Suites above the lower tier and in hospitality areas linked to the Spotlight Bar and Restaurant. Those products appeal to buyers who want more space, faster service and a less crowded pre-show setting than the main concourse. If you are comparing premium tickets for a group night out, SeatPin is useful for finding seated-together options in hospitality-style inventory and better-positioned blocks.
How do I get to Motorpoint Arena Nottingham on event day?
Motorpoint Arena Nottingham is easy to reach on event day by tram, bus, train, taxi or on foot from central Nottingham. The closest tram stop is Lace Market, around 400 metres away, and the walk to the entrance on Bolero Square takes about five minutes. Nottingham Station is about 0.5 miles away, which usually means a 10 to 15 minute walk via Carrington Street and Canal Street.
- Tram: Nottingham Express Transit services, including the Green and Phoenix Park lines, stop at Lace Market.
- Bus: City routes such as the Green, Turquoise and Orange lines stop within a short walk of the arena area.
- Train: Nottingham Station is the main rail hub for national services and sits within walking distance.
- Taxi: A trip from the city centre usually takes 5 to 10 minutes, though traffic can build near Bolero Square before big shows.
- Parking: Nearby multi-storey options include Stoney Street and Lace Market, with typical event parking around £5.00 to £12.00.
Walking is a practical option because the arena is about 10 minutes from the main shopping district, and there are cycle racks on Bolero Square for people arriving by bike. Visitors using the tram should buy a valid ticket before boarding, with adult singles around £3.20 and day tickets roughly £5.30 in 2026. For sold-out nights when travel plans are set and official allocations have gone, SeatPin can help secure last-minute tickets before you make the trip.
What is closest airport to Motorpoint Arena Nottingham?
East Midlands Airport is the closest airport to Motorpoint Arena Nottingham, at about 13 miles away. It is the most practical option for many domestic and international visitors because the Skylink bus connects the airport directly with Nottingham, making the final approach to the city centre straightforward without needing a car.
- East Midlands Airport, about 13 miles, with direct Skylink bus links to Nottingham.
- Birmingham Airport, about 48 miles, useful for wider international route choice.
- Manchester Airport, about 72 miles, with rail connections into Nottingham Station.
- London Luton Airport, about 91 miles, and London Stansted Airport, about 108 miles, for additional flight options from the south.
For most short visits, East Midlands gives the quickest transfer time to the arena area. Birmingham and Manchester become more attractive when flight schedules or international routes matter more than distance, especially if you are combining a show with an overnight stay in Nottingham city centre.
How early should you get to Motorpoint Arena Nottingham on event day?
You should get to Motorpoint Arena Nottingham at least one hour before the scheduled start time. Doors usually open 60 to 90 minutes before an event, and that extra time helps with bag searches, ticket scanning and finding food, drinks or merchandise before the main performance or Nottingham Panthers action begins.
Do you need ID to get into Motorpoint Arena Nottingham?
Yes, you may need photo ID at Motorpoint Arena Nottingham in specific situations, especially for box office collections, digital ticket issues and age-restricted events. The venue also applies a Challenge 25 policy for alcohol sales, so anyone who looks under 25 should carry valid identification, and standing areas with minimum age rules may require checks at entry.
Can you drink alcohol at Motorpoint Arena Nottingham?
Yes, alcohol bought inside Motorpoint Arena Nottingham is generally allowed in the seating bowl for many concerts and Nottingham Panthers fixtures, but outside alcohol is banned. Bags are searched on entry, bars usually stop serving 15 to 20 minutes before the scheduled end, and a pint of draught beer or cider typically costs about £5.50 to £7.50 depending on the event.
Can you smoke in Motorpoint Arena Nottingham?
No, you cannot smoke or vape inside Motorpoint Arena Nottingham. The building is fully smoke-free across the arena bowl and concourses, there are no indoor smoking areas, and the usual no re-entry policy means guests who leave to smoke may not be allowed back in once they exit.
Can you bring a backpack into Motorpoint Arena Nottingham?
No, backpacks and rucksacks are not allowed into Motorpoint Arena Nottingham. Only small bags up to 35cm x 40cm x 19cm are permitted, every bag is searched, and there are no cloakroom or locker facilities for oversized items, so arriving light is the safest option on busy event nights.
Outside food and drink are also prohibited, including bottles of water, cans and glass containers, unless medical needs have been cleared in advance. Security staff may use wands during screening, and larger medical bags should be approved with the venue before travel to avoid delays at the entrance.
Does Motorpoint Arena Nottingham have WiFi?
Yes, Motorpoint Arena Nottingham has free WiFi for visitors throughout the building. Guests can connect to the Arena-WiFi network and complete the browser registration process, though speeds may slow during sold-out shows or major sports events when thousands of devices are trying to connect at the same time.
Motorpoint Arena Nottingham Address and Contact Details
Motorpoint Arena Nottingham is located at Bolero Square, Nottingham, NG1 1LA, in the Lace Market area of the city centre. The general enquiries and Box Office phone number is 0115 853 3000, and the resident team is Nottingham Panthers, who have played at the arena since it opened as part of the National Ice Centre in 2000.
The venue website is motorpointarenanottingham. com, the official Facebook presence uses the name Motorpoint Arena Nottingham, and the official X account is @MotorpointArena. On event days, the Box Office usually opens at 12:00 PM and stays open until the main act or event begins, which is useful for collections and ticketing queries. If you want to book tickets without relying on event-day availability, SeatPin offers a direct route to browse available listings before you travel.
