Memories, memorabilia and a competition that makes history
Manchester has been the beating heart of the modern British music scene since the dawn of the Haçienda and now, in 2025, the AO Arena will celebrate 30 years of being a vital part of that cultural powerhouse.
What better way to celebrate than with an epic giveaway?
Music fans could win tickets to the concert of their dreams and one lucky winner could win the ultimate VIP package with a year of exclusive access to premium seats in the Arena’s sought-after hospitality areas.
So many iconic bands have graced its stage, so many performers have brought laughter, tears and memories to the crowds who have queued in the rain and danced in the aisles.
It’s quite an achievement to reach 30 years and the AO Arena has been putting on sell-out shows longer than anywhere else of a similar size in the city. To mark the milestone and to look forward to the next 30 years, the AO Arena is holding a spectacular one-off competition. After all, it’s not every day you turn 30.
All you have to do is share your recollections of 30 years of music history in the making. Did you sing along to Take That with all your friends? Did you feel the Girl Power in the room with the Spice Girls?
From t-shirts to tickets, selfies to stories, the AO Arena is looking for fans to share their personal experiences of the venue.
Inspired by Adele’s When We Were Young performance at Glastonbury 2016, all submitted photos will be projected on the screens of the arena in a video montage before every performance, sharing the memories in the place they were created, whilst hundreds of new ones are being made.
Need some inspiration to start curating your own personal celebration of 30 years of the AO Arena?
This is the prize.
One lucky winner will receive an exclusive AO Arena package which includes access to a number of events over 2025 with upgrades to The Mezz Bar, The Mezz Restaurant, a suite and The Beautiful North.
Three runners-up will receive a pair of standard tickets to one show a month of their choice throughout 2025, subject to availability, please see full terms below.
2025 is already lined up to be an amazing anniversary year with global megastars Kylie Minogue and Katy Perry already confirmed so this is an exceptional prize.
Get ready for a year of more musical memories and here’s to the next 30 years of the AO Arena. Happy Birthday.
Terms and conditions
1. General
1.1. This prize giveaway (“Competition”) is run by AO Arena (“Promoter”).
1.2. By entering, participants agree to be bound by these terms and conditions (“T&Cs”).
1.3. The Competition is open to residents of the United Kingdom aged 18 years or older.
2. Entry 2.1. Entries must be received by 00:00 31st January 2025. Late, incomplete, or fraudulent entries will not be considered. 2.2. Each participant may submit only one entry. Multiple entries will be disqualified.
3. The Prize 3.1. One (1) winner will receive the AO Arena “Globe” package for 2025, which includes:
· 1x suite package
· 2x Mezz Bar tickets for 4 shows
· 2x Mezz Restaurant tickets for 4 shows
· 2x Beautiful North tickets for 2 shows
· 1x Champagne Experience
The details and availability of included shows are subject to scheduling and Promoter discretion
3.2. Three (3) runners-up will each receive tickets to any show of their choice at the AO Arena throughout 2025, subject to availability. This is 2x tickets to any show per month for the 2025 calendar year. 3.3. Prizes are non-transferable, non-exchangeable, and cannot be redeemed for cash. 3.4. Prizes must be redeemed for shows in the 2025 calendar year. Any shows announced in 2025, but performed in 2026 will not be redeemable. 3.5. The Promoter reserves the right to substitute the prizes with alternatives of equal or greater value if necessary.
4. Winner Selection and Notification 4.1. Winners will be selected randomly from all eligible entries within 14 days of the competition closing date. 4.2. The Promoter will contact the winners directly. 4.3. Winners must respond within 24 hours of notification to claim their prize. Failure to do so may result in forfeiture of the prize, and the Promoter reserves the right to select an alternative winner.
5. Prize Redemption 5.1. The “Globe” package winner will receive instructions on how to redeem their prize. 5.2. Runners-up must provide details of their chosen events at least 4 weeks before the event date. Ticket availability is not guaranteed and is subject to event capacity.
6. Data Protection 6.1. Participants’ personal data will be processed in accordance with the Promoter’s privacy policy. 6.2. By entering, participants consent to their data being used for the purpose of administering the Competition.
7. Liability 7.1. The Promoter will not be liable for any loss, damage, or injury resulting from participation in the Competition or use of the prize, except where caused by negligence. 7.2. The Promoter accepts no responsibility for entries not received due to technical or other issues.
8. General Conditions 8.1. The Promoter reserves the right to cancel, amend, or suspend the Competition where necessary. 8.2. The Promoter’s decision is final, and no correspondence will be entered into. 8.3. The Competition is governed by English law, and any disputes will be subject to the jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales.
