When these Arena Rules apply
NEC Group operates the Arena and licences it to Event Organisers for the staging of Events. Your admission to the Arena and your conduct whilst at the Arena will be governed by these Arena Rules and, by purchasing your Ticket(s) and/or entering or attempting to enter the Arena, you will be taken to have accepted these Arena Rules.

Event Organisers and Ticket Agents may have own terms and conditions (“Ticket Terms”), which will apply to you when using your Tickets to attend an Event. These will apply in addition to these Arena Rules. If there is any inconsistency between these Arena Rules and the Ticket Terms, these Arena Rules will apply in priority to the Ticket Terms.

We sometimes make changes to these Arena Rules
These Arena Rules are kept under regular review and may be updated from time to time, to reflect changes in the rules of admission, health and safety and/or security procedures, the arrangements in place between NEC Group and relevant Ticket Agents and/or Event Organisers, and/or changes in relevant laws and regulatory requirements.

The latest version of the Arena Rules at the time of your visit to the Arena will apply. It is your responsibility to check the Arena Rules before you enter the Arena, so that you are aware of any changes made since your last visit or review.

Tickets
NEC Group’s authorised primary Ticket Agent is AXS. The Event Organiser may also have appointed its own authorised Ticket Agent(s) for the Event. If you are unsure whether a person offering Tickets for sale is an authorised ticket agent, please contact us. Please be aware that auction sites are not authorised ticket agents. Please only purchase tickets through authorised ticketing sites such as www.axs.com. If you have, or suspect you may have been a victim of fraud when purchasing tickets, please report it to Action Fraud www.actionfraud.police.uk.

We are entitled to seize and/or cancel any Ticket, without notice and without refund or other compensation, which has been resold, attempted to have been resold or which has been purchased other than via an authorised Ticket Agent, ticketing partner or (where applicable) the official ticket resale partner of the Arena or the Event Organiser.

Please keep your Tickets safe. Your Ticket may be invalidated if any part of it is removed, altered or defaced. Removing the stub of a physical Ticket will invalidate the Ticket. Tickets cannot be duplicated if lost or stolen and NEC Group will not be liable for any lost or stolen Tickets.

If you have any specific access requirements, please contact us before purchasing Tickets, to ensure that we can accommodate your requirements. Accessible seating may not be available unless it is arranged in advance.

Age restrictions and suitability of Events for children
Events may be age restricted. It is the responsibility of the purchaser of the Tickets to check before purchasing the Tickets that they and the persons for whom they purchase the Tickets can comply with such age restrictions. If you attend an Event where age restrictions apply, and/or if you are claiming a concession, you must be able to provide photographic proof of identity and age or entitlement, as appropriate. We reserve the right to refuse entry, without refund, to any person who is unable to provide such photographic proof.

For all Events at the Arena, children under 14 must be accompanied by a responsible adult aged 18+ with a valid Ticket. On certain shows, the standing area of the Arena bowl is not suitable for anyone under 14 and we advise that seated Tickets are booked. We reserve the right to remove or reseat any child in the ‘standing area’ who appears to be under 14 for safety reasons.

It is your responsibility to determine the suitability of an Event for any children in your party regardless of official age restrictions. Refunds will not be issued if any aspect of an Event, including audience member behaviour, causes offence to you or any children on whose behalf you have purchased Tickets. Due to the sound levels experienced during an Event, it is not recommended that children under 5 should attend concerts or events other than those specifically aimed at younger visitors, i.e. children’s shows.

Further information on age restrictions and lap passes can be found on the Event Page and on the Arena Website.

Arriving on time and getting into the Arena
Please ensure you arrive on time. There will be no admission to the Event before the designated door opening times.
It may not be possible to admit latecomers into the Arena until a suitable break in the performance (if any). We will not refund Tickets if you miss all or part of an Event due to your late arrival.

You will only be able to gain entry to the Arena if you are holding a valid Ticket for the Event. All children and infants must have a Ticket in order to attend an Event, unless otherwise specified on the Event page or in the Ticket Terms.

Keeping you safe – security searches, bag policy and prohibited items
Searching is a condition of entry to protect your safety and that of other visitors. We may conduct security searches of clothing, bags and other items, as determined by us in our reasonable discretion, including on entry to and exit from the Arena.

Walk-through security search arches are in operation at the Arena. The screening technologies are certified safe for all persons to pass through. If you have a health condition and do not wish to pass through the screening technologies, please alert our security personnel. We reserve the right to refuse entry to the Arena if you refuse to use the screening technologies, as determined at our reasonable discretion.

A Bag Policy and Prohibited Items List is in operation at the Arena. Full details are available on the relevant Event page and on the Arena Website. Please check the Bag Policy and Prohibited Items List before your visit for up-to-date details on what items will not be permitted to be brought into the Arena.

No food or drink may be brought into the Arena (except in limited circumstances on proven medical grounds) unless otherwise notified at our discretion. A variety of food and/or beverages will be available for purchase within the Arena.

You are responsible for safeguarding your property when at the Arena. We will have no liability for property that is lost, stolen or damaged when at the Arena. All items left with stewards before entry into the Arena are left at your own risk.

Animals, with the exception of assistance dogs, are not permitted in the Arena. Customers attending with assistance dogs are requested to contact the Arena in advance of booking tickets for an Event for further information.

In order to ensure the security, safety and comfort of all visitors, we reserve the right at our reasonable discretion to refuse your admission to, or to eject you from, the Arena without compensation or refund.

Once you are inside the Arena
Tickets. Please keep your Ticket with you at all times during an Event. You may be asked to show your Ticket and/or ID for inspection at any time during the Event. Failure to do so may result in you being required to leave the Arena.

Seats. For Events with seated and standing arrangements, each Ticket provides you with the right to use a seat or to stand in an area (as applicable) of a value and location corresponding to that stated on your Ticket. Where it is not possible to allow you to occupy the specific seat/area printed on your Ticket we reserve the right to provide alternative seats/areas of an equivalent value. Where we are unable to do so our liability will be limited to the difference in value of the seat/area we are able to provide and the value of the seat/area printed on your Ticket.

No recording. The use of cameras, video and/or sound recording equipment (including via mobile phones) other than for personal use (i.e. for commercial use) is prohibited and such items may not be used within the Arena except with our express written consent.

Rules and regulations. You are required to observe and comply with all rules and regulations shown on notices within the Arena and to comply with all instructions given to you by Arena stewards and staff at the Event.

Emergencies. In case of emergency please follow instructions from stewards, Arena personnel and/or other officials.

No smoking. You are not permitted to smoke (including e-cigarettes) in any part of the Arena.

WARNING - FLASHING LIGHTS & NOISE – Flashing lights may be used during a performance. Prolonged exposure to loud noise may cause damage to your hearing. We do not recommend subjecting children to loud music over a sustained period of time.

Bottles. Bottle tops may be removed from all bottles purchased inside the Arena and you may be required to decant drinks into a plastic/paper cup. This is to reduce the risk of bottles becoming rolling trip hazards, or being used as missiles.

Alcohol & Tobacco products. We operate a Challenge 25! Policy on the purchase of all alcohol and tobacco products and you may be asked for ID. We reserve the right to refuse to serve you if you do not have valid photographic ID.

Allergens. Please be aware that all dishes are prepared in an environment that may contain nuts, seeds, gluten or lactose; therefore, all dishes may contain traces of these or other allergens. Full allergen information is available to visitors upon request. Please just ask a member of the Arena team on the night.

Merchandise. Official merchandise is only available from within the Arena. Please be wary of unofficial traders offering inferior goods for which we accept no responsibility. You are not permitted to sell or offer for sale or distribute any items whilst in or around the Arena including, without limitation, merchandise, Tickets, food, beverages, cigarettes or smoking materials, newspapers or magazines.

Messaging materials. You must not bring into the Arena or display or distribute (whether for free or with a charge) at an Event any sponsorship, promotional or marketing materials nor any leaflets, signage or other materials containing religious or political messaging.

Public nature of Events – CCTV, filming, and privacy. You should be aware that Events and your appearance and actions in and around the Arena are public in nature, so you should have no expectations of privacy at Events. CCTV will be in operation in and around the Arena and film cameras may also be in use.

We love it when visitors have a great time at Events, and sometimes we will film, stream, record, and/or take photographs of the Event and the audience in and around the Arena. We will only do this where we have a legitimate interest to do so and in accordance with our Privacy Policy. Event Organisers may also film, stream, record, and/or take photographs of Events – they may provide details of this during the Ticket purchase process, or contact you separately with details about the Event.

All rights in any film, photograph, audio or audio-visual recording (“Footage”) will be owned by us, the Event Organiser, or the relevant third party, and you agree that any Footage may be used by us, the Event Organiser or relevant third party in any and all media for any purpose at any time throughout the world, including (save for CCTV and security Footage) for commercial purposes including merchandising, without payment or compensation to you.

If things go wrong
Should you experience any problems while in the Arena please contact the nearest steward so that all reasonable efforts can be made to resolve the issue during the Event. Complaints are difficult to resolve after the Event.

Please be aware that:
In relation to seated Events, other members of the audience may stand up during the Event. This may block your view. Refunds and compensation will not be offered if your view is restricted in this way or otherwise disturbed by members of the audience entering/exiting their seat.
■ Floor seating is not tiered and a refund or compensation will not be offered if your view is restricted as a result of the floor not being tiered.
■ All advertised times are approximate and subject to change. It is your responsibility to make appropriate arrangements to ensure that you arrive at the Arena in sufficient time in case the Event starts early and to ensure that you are able to stay until the close of the Event, should you wish to if it overruns. If an Event does not run to the precise times advertised, refunds will not be payable on Tickets and we will not be responsible for the cost of alternative travel arrangements or for any other loss you suffer (including loss of enjoyment).
■ There is no re-admission once you have left the Arena except in limited circumstances and at our sole discretion.

You may be ejected from the Arena and required to surrender any Tickets you hold, without refund, if in our reasonable opinion, you or your behaviour might pose a health and safety risk, affect the enjoyment of other visitors or the running of the Event, be in breach of these Arena Rules (or any policy or regulations referred to in these Arena Rules or displayed on notices in the Arena, including but not limited to entering any prohibited areas, standing on seats or in walkways, throwing any objects or substances onto the stage or into the crowd or smoking, including e-cigarettes), or be considered abusive or threatening in nature towards anyone working in or attending the Arena.

What happens if your Event is cancelled, postponed, or materially changed
If your Event is cancelled, postponed, or materially changed, you may be entitled to a refund in accordance with the terms and conditions or refund policy of the authorised Ticket Agent from whom you purchased your Ticket(s) and you must contact the Ticket Agent to request all refunds. No refunds will be issued directly to you by NEC Group or the Event Organiser. Ticket Agents may not make a refund if you fail to follow the instructions provided within the timeframes notified in their Ticket Terms.

It is your responsibility to check for news of any cancellation, postponement or alteration of the Event in advance of attending the Arena. We will publish any updates provided to us by Event Organisers as soon as reasonably practicable via the Arena Website.

THIS IMPORTANT SECTION SETS OUT THE LIMITS OF NEC GROUP’S LIABILITY TO YOU. PLEASE READ IT CAREFULLY.
1. Subject to paragraph 2 below, if we breach our obligations to you under these Arena Rules or if we are negligent and, as a result, you suffer any loss or damage in connection with your visit to the Arena we will only be liable for your loss or damage up to an amount equal to the face value of the Ticket purchased by you for the Event you are attending (if any) and we will not be liable to you for any losses or expenses incurred in connection with your visit to the Arena, any Event, or its cancellation, postponement or changes (such as the costs of any personal travel, accommodation or hospitality arrangements linked to attending the Event).

2. We will not be liable to you under these Venue Rules to the extent that any loss, or failure of NEC Group or the Event Organiser, is caused by an act beyond our or the Event Organiser’s reasonable control including, without limitation, any act of God, war, insurrection, riot, civil disturbances, acts of terrorism, fire, explosion, flood, epidemic, pandemic (including COVID-19), royal death, national mourning (including as a result of a royal death), theft of essential equipment, malicious damage, strike, lock out, weather, national defence requirements or acts or regulations of national or local governments including in respect of epidemics or pandemics.

3. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we exclude liability for loss, damage or injury arising from any breach by you of these Arena Rules, any failure by you to adhere to the directions or instructions of our personnel within the Arena; and/or any new medical condition (whether physical or psychiatric) caused, or any pre-existing medical condition (whether physical or psychiatric) which is aggravated, by your visit to the Arena.

4. Notwithstanding paragraphs 1 to 3 above, nothing in these Arena Rules shall be construed as excluding or restricting in any way our liability to you where it would be unlawful to do so. This includes liability for death or personal injury caused by our negligence or the negligence of our employees, agents or subcontractors or for fraud or fraudulent misrepresentation.

If any part of the wording we have used in these Arena Rules is found to be invalid or unenforceable by a court, that part of the wording shall be severed or amended in such a way as to make the rest of the wording and the remainder of these Arena Rules valid and enforceable.

If we don’t enforce these Arena Rules immediately (or at all), it does not mean that we have waived our right to do so.

These Arena Rules are governed by English Law and any disputes that might arise under or in relation to them will be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Courts of England and Wales.

What the definitions we use in this document mean
“Arena” means either (i) Utilita Arena Birmingham, Birmingham B1 2AA or (ii) bp pulse Live, NEC Campus, Birmingham B40 1NT, depending on where the Event you are attending is taking place.
“Arena Rules” means these rules of admission to the Arena.
“Arena Website” means either (i) utilitaarenabham.co.uk or (ii) bppulselive.co.uk, depending on where the Event you are attending is taking place.
“Event” means a concert, sporting event or other live event taking place at the Arena.
“Event Organiser” means the organiser of an Event. This may be a concert promoter, an event organiser, or another entity or person, including NEC Group, involved in the staging of events.
“NEC Group” / “we” / “us” means The National Exhibition Centre Limited. We operate using a number of trading names including Utilita Arena Birmingham and bp pulse Live.
“Ticket” means a ticket (which depending on the specific Event and the instructions of the Event Organiser) may be in the form of an electronic ticket, a mobile ticket, a printable email ticket, or hard copy ticket.
“Ticket Agent” means a person authorised by the Event Organiser to sell tickets for the Event on its behalf.

 September 2024