The National Indoor Arena (NIA) is in the Westside area of central Birmingham.

The main entrance is on King Edwards Road; there is a long canalside frontage overlooking the junction of the Birmingham and Fazeley Canal and the Birmingham and Wolverhampton Canal.

View Larger Map

The auditorium consists of three tiers: upper, lower and flat floor. The lower tier and flat floor seating can be reconfigured to suit each event.

The arena is often converted into a smaller theatre with a capacity of around 5,000 for more intimate concerts and comedy shows; the full capacity is generally reserved for megastar concerts and large-scale sporting events such as grand prix athletics.

They are generally leased on annual basis but may also be booked for individual events on 0844 338 0333.

Visitors can walk along the towpath to Broad Street (circa 200 metres) and the Mailbox (circa 400 metres). Both areas contain numerous pubs restaurants and nightclubs.

The NIA is also connected to the Malt House pub (landmark conical tower) by a second footbridge above the Birmingham and Fazeley Canal.

From the Malt House, visitors can walk along the towpath to the Prince of Wales on King Edwards Road and the Flapper pub on Cambrian Wharf.

Please visit our Guide to Westside Birmingham for more information about the area around the National Indoor Arena.

The Prince of Wales and the Flapper (live music pub) are on either side of King Edwards Road within 100 metres of the Malt House. Megastars appearing at the NIA have sometimes performed impromptu acoustic sets at these pubs.

Alternatively, visitors can walk across the footbridge towards the National Sealife Centre in Brindleyplace and then 100 metres along the towpath to Waters Edge where there are several bars and restaurants including the Slug and Lettuce, Pitcher and Piano, All Bar One, Mash House etc.

There are more clubs, bars and restaurants on Broad Street, 100 metres further along the canal.

Please visit our pub, restaurant and nightclub guides for more information.

There is also a row of shops (Spar, Boots, Baguette du Monde) at Brunswick Arcade behind the National Sealife Centre, barely 200 metres (via the canal bridge) from the National Indoor Arena.

These are the Premier Inn at 80 Broad Street, the Premier Inn at 20 Bridge Street, the Travelodge at 230 Broad Street and Jury's Inn at 245 Broad Street.

All are located within barely 350 metres of the National Indoor Arena. The Bridge Street Premier Inn has a free car park.

Please consult our hotel guide for more information about rooms in Birmingham.

Cabs may also be booked on 08000 96 96 14.

However, buses travel more frequently on the A457 Sandpits Parade, roughly 150 metres from the National Indoor Arena; particularly numbers 81, 82, 87, 89, 120, 126A, 140A and 141.

Buses also stop outside the ICC on Broad Street, barely 250 metres from the National Indoor Arena. Upon leaving the NIA, cross the canal bridge to the National Sealife Centre and then walk along the canal wharf to Broad Street.

The following buses run on Broad Street: 1, 9, 10, 24, 29, 126, 127, 128, 129, 141, 192

The most convenient way to reach the NIA from these stations is by taxi. There are ranks outside New Street Station and Snow Hill Station but not outside Moor Street Station. However, Moor Street Station is linked to New Street Station by a pedestrian walkway (circa 200 metres).

Bus numbers 81, 89 and 120 run between New Street Station, Snow Hill Station and Sandpits Parade (less than 150 metres from the NIA)

Bus Numbers 82 and 87 run between New Street Station, Moor Street Station and Sandpits Parade (less than 150 metres from the NIA).

Bus route 24 runs between Moor Street Station, New Street Station, Snow Hill Station and the ICC; bus routes 127, 128 and 129 run between New Street Station, Snow Hill Station and the ICC; bus routes 9 and 29 run between Snow Hill Station and the ICC.

The ICC is barely 200 metres from the NIA; from the bus stop on Broad Street follow the canal wharf through Brindleyplace to the National Sealife Centre and then cross the footbridge to the NIA.

Please note that bus routes may vary from time to time. Please consult our rail guide for more information about rail travel/train stations in Birmingham.

1) NIA/ICC North on King Edward Street: 550-space pay-and-display multi-storey;

(2) NIA/ICC South on Sheepcote Street: 862-space pay-and-display multi-storey;

(3) NIA/ICC West on St Vincent Street: 744-space pay-and-display multi-storey (events only);

(4) NIA/ICC Community Hall on Clement Street: pay-and-display multi-storey;

(5) Canalside Brindleyplace on Brunswick Street: 903-space multi-storey.

View Larger Map

The hall is 72.5 metres long and 20.5 metres wide; it is sufficiently large for 8 badminton courts or 4 cricket bays and can also be used for bowls, hockey, basketball, volleyball and five-a-side soccer.

The hall also contains a cardio and loose weights gym and sauna.