Co-op Live is the UK's largest entertainment arena, situated in Manchester, England. The venue hosts a diverse range of events, including concerts, sports, and live performances, catering to a wide audience of entertainment enthusiasts. With a focus on providing exceptional experiences, Co-op Live offers premium ticket options and unique pre-show experiences through the Co-op Backstage Club, enhancing the overall enjoyment for attendees. The arena serves as a key destination for both local and visiting fans, featuring performances from renowned artists and popular tours. By accommodating various events, Co-op Live attracts a broad demographic, including families, music lovers, and sports fans, ensuring a vibrant atmosphere for all guests.
Co-op Live receives a mixed reception from attendees, with many expressing dissatisfaction. While some customers appreciate the venue's atmosphere and the quality of performances, such as Billie Eilish and Drake, the overall experience is marred by significant issues.
Reviewers frequently mention poor organization, with long queues and confusion about entry points leading to frustration. Complaints about seating arrangements highlight safety concerns, particularly in upper levels, where tight spaces make access difficult. Additionally, many express disappointment with the acoustics, describing them as horrendous. Despite some positive remarks about staff attitude and service in specific areas like the OVO Lounge, the overwhelming sentiment reflects dissatisfaction with the venue's management and operational efficiency.
Summary generated with AI from recent reviews
Each source counts by its number of reviews. Only reviews written by people are scored.
| Source | Rating | Reviews | Weight | 6-mo | Fake risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Trustpilot Imported Trustpilot reviews | 2.1 | 124 | 100% | -0.3 | ● Low |
Monthly average rating from reviews written by people · latest review Aug 2025.
| Month | Average | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| Dec 24 | 2.1 | 12 |
| Jan 25 | 2.5 | 2 |
| Feb 25 | 2.6 | 5 |
| Mar 25 | 1.6 | 7 |
| Apr 25 | 2.0 | 22 |
| May 25 | 3.1 | 13 |
| Jun 25 | 1.9 | 30 |
| Jul 25 | 2.1 | 30 |
| Aug 25 | 1.0 | 3 |
Share of positive (4–5★) and negative (1–2★) reviews mentioning each topic · based on the 124 most recent reviews.
“The staff were outstanding throughout: friendly, attentive, and genuinely went out of their way to make the night spe...”
“We were so excited for this concert – it was the first one my niece had ever been to, and she’s a huge Billie fan”
Same method for every company: overall rating, legitimacy checks, the average rating of reviews mentioning each area and the 6-month trend · Tickets & Venues.
| Company | Overall | Legit | Service | Value | Website & app | Trend | Reviews |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | 2.1 out of 5 (poor) | 100 out of 100 | 2.6 out of 5 (poor) | 1.8 out of 5 (poor) | 1.6 out of 5 (poor) | −7% | 124 |
| 2.6 out of 5 (poor) | 100 out of 100 | 1.9 out of 5 (poor) | — | 1.4 out of 5 (poor) | +9% | 424 | |
| 4.5 out of 5 (good) | 50 out of 100 | — | — | — | — | 20,156 | |
| 4.5 out of 5 (good) | 67 out of 100 | — | — | — | — | 5,849 | |
| 1.2 out of 5 (poor) | 100 out of 100 | 1.0 out of 5 (poor) | 1.0 out of 5 (poor) | 1.1 out of 5 (poor) | — | 1,002 |
Bottom line: Co-op Live is #4 of 5 on overall rating in this group.
124 reviews of Co-op Live . Filter by what matters to you.
Bruce springsteen concert Saturday,Sound was awful,Sat at the back of the venue,Couldn't make out what words were being sung and once he started speech on politics it was time to go!Disappointed !
First time visit to the Co-Op Live venue which is always daunting especially with the size of the place but the staff were brilliant and that always helps. The online building layout maps I found were not very helpful and trying to find out which door you should use to get in was a nightmare as the fingerpost signs were too small and signs over the doors were not clear. Sound quality was very good, prices at the bar astronomic but overall a positive experience
Whenever I visit the co-op store, Middle Parkway Leigh Park It is always spotlessly clean and Tanya is always so helpful and lovely, polite and a asset to your company
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£30 for backstage pass with a free drink and it was half a pint 😂 everything far too expensive and I won't be seeing any more gigs here properly put me off.
We went to see Andre Bocelli on Friday 25th April. The show was amazing but this was ruined for us by one woman in tbe row in front who filmed on her mobile throughout the concert. We were in block 109 row 17. If you want to look at your phone for 2 hours don’t go to a concert. It is selfish &inconsiderate. My evening was ruined by this individual.
Went to see Stevie Wonder, shambles getting in had to queue literally outside the Ethiad Stadium on the otherside! Not easy to get to and no restaurants or bars near by. Inside beers pumps etc not working, too many queues.I'll be sticking to the AO Arena
Had to queue for over an hour to get in to see Stevie Wonder. He started 20 minutes late but people were still probably queuing. Been to venues as big or bigger and never had the issues this has. Should have been sorted after being open so long!!
I can only pass comment on the reception staff Ellie Johnson I had an issue today and she was the most pleasant helpful amazing person and her customer service was beyond my expectations.Thank you Elle you’re a star I hope your management team appreciates you.
Terrible venue, been twice 1st time in December thought it might be a one off but went on Saturday for Pulp and it was worse. Massive queues outside (20min to get in) inside at bar (30min and gave up) toilets (not enough). Went back to bar at 8.20 to be told IPA sold out, went back at 9pm to another bar no draught beer only warm cans!! bought 4 330mm cans of cider for £28.80 (absolute rip off) exiting told to walk back on canal as it was quicker. Venue is too big no staff and to run out of beer is a joke. Terrible venue even though Pulp were amazing!!
Had us all queuing outside for 3 hours all the way around the eithad, whilst my partner was in a medical boot, had him standing for this amount of time in agony, We arrived at 6 when the doors were due to open, Doors didn’t open for another 1.5 hours due to a production issue, even though it was due to start at 7, Missed Bryson tiller as the opening act and missed the beginning of Chris brown, No refunds or compensation offered ether!
This place is an absolute joke. This was our 2nd visit and will definitely be the last. Unfortunately, last night was even worse than the first. The queues are massive. They simply don’t have enough facilities to handle the volume of people. 30 mins waiting at the Bar for a Drink. The service is so slow and when you get there don’t be surprised if they have run out of beer. You nearly fall on the floor at the price. £68.00 for 4 x 2 pint Glass of Grolsch. This was during the Gig not before the Gig. Lucky only 2 of us went to bar so at least the other 2 saw the full show. Not a patch on the Manchester Arena. Outclassed in every single area. The Co-Op have a lot of issues that they need to sort out. However, why would they bother. They have a captive audience at sellout shows buying beer at £9 a pint. They obviously don’t care as can be seen by the many unanswered complaints and 1 star reviews. Any other business area would fail with constant 1 star review. I also assume that this why there is no link on their website for Trustpilot.
As a venue, great. As a location, dreadful. Prepare to walk. And walk, and walk, and walk. Tram link is great in principle, until you're told there will be a huge wait to get back into the city centre due to volume of people... something you'd expect you'd think! Long walk back in summer is one thing, another in bad weather. Wouldn't choose to attend the venue if other options available.
Poor organisation from Co-op live! The venue is really nice and a lot of effort has gone into the building however last night we had to queue for ages for Chris Brown missing all the warm up acts due to an ‘issue with the doors’ surely if there’s issues they should of delayed the show? Luckily as we got seated Chris Brown came out but the queue was so long behind us I imagine lots of people missed his first songs …. Awful never seen anything like it! Doesn’t look like this is the first time it’s happened either reading other reviews for other performances. Will avoid going coop live and will stick to shows at the arena instead which is much more organised! Chris Brown was amazing!
I went to to see Jeff Dunham on Saturday night, the only complaint I had was the seats were so uncomfortable and small.
I have given 1 because you can't do negative stars. I am disappointed that you make a complaint and the venue does not feel it appropriate to respond. I went to see Robbie Williams. I paid for a backstage pass. Total waste of money. The ticket states you access the venue an hour before general ticket admission. On this occasion this was far from the truth. The scanning machines were not working, it took till 6:10 to get them working. To get to access the arena we had no time to get the free drink or buy merchandise. When we did get in it seemed general access had been let in before we gained access. We went back to the backstage area after the show to buy the merchandise. That was closed. I have requested a refund. No communication at all. I will avoid purchasing tickets for this arena in the future.
The venue is well equipped with water points, food places and plenty of toilets, which is great. We sat in section 306, row 7, seats 133 and 134. Found cup holders on the seats in an awkward position so put my drink on the floor. View is pretty obstructed from here. Couldn’t properly see the big screen or stage unless everyone sat down (as they were asked) but a few spoiled it for the rest by standing and obstructing views. Staff had no control over anyone which was pretty worrying. Even when some girls shouted for assistance in asking people to sit, the lady steward was more interested in watching the show than watching the crowd. A few people were close to fighting. We paid for blue parking as one of our party is disabled. Still a long walk to entrance F for that seated section. It took over an hour to get off the car park with no organisation whatsoever. This is seriously needing some focus. People were blocking others in, pushing cars through, u turning etc and the girl who told everyone to turn round caused absolute chaos. Some investment in traffic management such as bollards directing people one way round would be beneficial.
Everything went wrong, it was the worst experience of my life, total waste of money.After receiving a email telling me the time was going to be 1 hour earlier than first being told, no reason, we went to coop at 6.30pm like we were told, they also changed our seats, no reason.we were kept waiting till 9.30pm before lionel richie came on the stage, no explanation, then because we had come by train, we only got to see 30minutes of his show, because the last train was at 10.45,pm , I couldn't of been more disappointed if I tried, completely lost any enthusiasm to go again.
Getting there was ok on the tram from Piccadilly. However the queues were so bad snaking up and down . With a guy on the mega phone barking orders to get you “ in the right q”. After 40 mins they decide we are going in another q ! When we got in we were told we could have gone in any one! Missed the support and we had arrived at 6! As for the coop app don’t bother !!
Co-op Live is the UK's largest entertainment arena, situated in Manchester, England. The venue hosts a diverse range of events, including concerts, sports, and live performances, catering to a wide audience of entertainment enthusiasts. With a focus on providing exceptional experiences, Co-op Live offers premium ticket options and unique pre-show experiences through the Co-op Backstage Club, enhancing the overall enjoyment for attendees. The arena serves as a key destination for both local and visiting fans, featuring performances from renowned artists and popular tours. By accommodating various events, Co-op Live attracts a broad demographic, including families, music lovers, and sports fans, ensuring a vibrant atmosphere for all guests.
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