first direct arena Review

Went to see Disney on ice with my daughter and loved it

Nice new venue. As is always the case at these types of places to refreshments kiosks are vastly overpriced. Went to see Paul Weller and personally felt it could have been a bit louder.

This was a really well-organised venue to visit. It was easy to find my seat despite how big the arena is. There were plenty of toilets so I didn't have to queue for them and the staff were helpful. It also felt very well ordered when the time came to leave. I didn't feel rushed or too crowded given how many people were leaving. I would happily come back for other events

Great gig venue. Been five times now in total and have seen a variety of acts ranging from pop to metal, Comedy to boxing. Incredible to see how the venue adjusts to accommodate each event, giving the feel of a completely different venue upon entering. Acoustics are fantastic and depending on the act there is often a screen if you are unfortunate enough to end up in the nose bleeds (which suffers distance wise sadly)

Went to madness concert, excellent event, well organised, very accommodating, managed to get two disabled friends seats move without any problems.

Fantastic location close to Leeds City centre. Also a 2 minute walk from the carpark and hotels.

The First Direct Arena staff were superb last night swapping the tickets for Monday night to Tuesday after I had mistakenly got the dates wrong. They saved the night and the disappointment of two young girls. Thank you very much :)

First class staff. Helped me and my wife as she's on crutches. Nothing seemed to much trouble.

Seen some great gigs at this venue over the last few years, a great place to go.

Couldn't enjoy the show I attended due to being to cramped in the arena. Very small spaces. Very claustrophobic. Definitely will not be returning. Ruined the whole show for me .

It's an ampitheatre style so good views from wherever you sit. Bar and food fairly basic but, to be fair, that's not why you would be there. Staff efficient and helpful.

Spacious arena. We had "poor" seats apparently but still good view. Typical prices for drinks in these places

Easy venue once in. Parking and road configuration poor.

Concert only spoilt by selfish latecomers and people who NEEDED a drink during the performance

Love coming to this arena as its easy to get to and small so wherever you sit you have a great view!

Went to see Strictly tour. Was impressed that even in block B219 had a very good view. Just disappointed that the audience around me were more bothered about taking photos and using phones than participating and booing Craig or cheering Bruno. Personally I think phones should be banned as they are very distracting to those around

Saw boyzone there, not great to be sitting down at a concert but it was warm the stage and lighting were good.

Carnt believe those steep steps , yes we were at the back, but even so needless to say we had perform a human chain just to get back down to earth.
If anyone has a fear of heights or bad footing problem then please make sure you get the 1st 2 tiers near the stage, as the rest is just terrifying, the steps are very narrow, poorly lit, the seats in front are very low so there's nothing to stop you falling forward, and what a nightmare when someone wants to get passed you..I won't be going back to this venue, it did stop me enjoying the evening as I felt very nervous and scared, it won't be long before someone has an accident there.

Nice airy hall, clean restrooms, and plenty of food and drink to buy.

Went to see Brian Cox and it was really great. Well managed and plenty of staff to ask questions to

Lots of security & staff quick to clean up when someone (sick) makes a mess

Star wars A New Hope in concert. Great venue great show! Park away from the venue to avoid hour delays leaving.

Fantastic venue. Leeds so needed this and it doesn't disappoint!

All seats have good visibility of the stage. John Bishop is an amazing entertainer and probably is the funniest guy around the table

Great arena! Awesome sounds and view of stage is great where ever your seated!

Great, helpful staff, great atmosphere, sound excellent. Balcony views to either side of stage cut off some of the view - the star and most of the band were clearly visible throughout, with just one band member mostly hidden on the left - but that's unavoidable.

Good venue for live bands. Went to see ghost again. Brilliant night.

It's a good arena, but when buying our ticket we were not told of the restricted view of the curtained part of the Disney on Ice stage that we had and the view was also restricted by a section of higher railings in front of us.

I actually live much closer to Sheffield arena but would always choose here if both venues are available. Easy walk to the train station & lots of pubs, restaurants, takeaways & coffee shops around (unlike Sheffield). Also dead easy to get to a smoking area (unlike Sheffield).

Amazing venue for acoustics and sight-lines. Brilliant access and facilities too

Trouble was spent time checking the security staff as i used to be a manager for said company friendly but not as knowledgable as back in the day sort them out Mr Harding venue was ok Messers Witherspoon Pemberton and Gatkiss were excellent

Enjoyed Frankie Vallie
Find food stuffs and drinks expensive...well overpriced. You are not allowed to take your own sweets or even bottled water in

Fantastic views of stage from wherever you are seated

Went to see Catfish and The Bottlemen, Amazing show. Cant wait to go again.

Basically well run with good view of the stage acoustics sound etc. Good venue

It's good but if you've sat further away the little people on stage

The exciting time to see Morrissey for the first time!

Excellent venue but parking and Leeds City Centre one way system a nightmare

Seats are OK. As always not enough leg room for someone like me (6'4"). The toilets are lacking in terms of number of cubicles. The food is as good as any stadium type food I've had. But that type of food isn't exactly great.

Good Arena, shame the bar service is slow! You guys should invest in in pumps that can fill multiple beers like at festivals. Seemed to take an age to get served.

Concert venue.wirh some excellent acts. But expensive to drink.

Tears for Fears concert.
Absolutely outstanding...!!!
Nuff said.

Decent sized venue, good floor standing and good seating, friendly staff, great location in the centre of Leeds, great security. Love this arena

Fab first visit. Very easy access, very short queues, good view of the stage area.

Amazing place, really good people around to help you out

Venue is excellent and venue sound is very good. Staff are well trained and keep the site feeling safe

Just don't bother going to see Michael McIntyre as he was only on stage for about an hour and I'd heard his material before on the TV.
Warm up act was funnier and his set was nearly as long as McIntyre's

It was a good night out but I did feel a little short changed
On top of that, they relentlessly plug his merchandise on stage

Don't go expecting to take any bag in with more than one strap.

Ruined by rude and aggressive security guards applying random policies with no common sense, would not let me in with bag which i emptied out for them despite numerous other handbags and rucksacks been let through which i could visibly see beyond the security guard and once beyond the perimeter. Venue also lied about doors opening times which meant waiting about in a dull concrete pen with no seats for over an hour. Ran out of coke before the alleged doors opening time.

Been here to watch slipknot and stone sour. Arena is brilliant, sound during the gigs is bang on. Plenty of places to drink and eat around the arena.

Great place glad i am not 6 foot not a lot of knee room

First Direct Arena

Attended the recent Paul Weller concert had a lovely two course meal and drinks in the Black & White restaurant and bar.

Bing 3 times this year and great venue but the sound system some time's could do with an upgrade but going again to see more band's

I went to see the Stereophonics here and rate the venue highly. Granted, I got lucky using the VIP suite and was looked after by wonderful staff. Food and drinks served regularly and to top it off, the Phonics performed their best gig in 10 years!

Good arenas with convenient reasonably priced parking

Fantastic night, plenty of bars where we were so the queues weren't so bad.
Great Act and well organised!

Staff doing searches at the front, very professional and friendly. Easy access, good sized area.

Very good venue, the staff were friendly and helpful. Only issues were not enough men's toilets and when you buy a bottle of water they don't allow you to keep the top which is annoying other than that excellent.