THE NATIONAL LOTTERY'S BIG NIGHT OF MUSICALS 2026
FAQs
EVENT INFORMATION
WHAT IS THE NATIONAL LOTTERY’S BIG NIGHT OF MUSICALS?
● The National Lottery’s Big Night of Musicals will bring together some of the biggest shows from the world of musical theatre for one night only at the AO Arena, Manchester on Monday 26th January 2026. The spectacular show will capture the magic of theatre and shine a light on the difference it makes to communities.
● Bringing together some of the biggest musicals from across the UK including Miss Saigon, Jesus Christ Superstar, The Producers, Wicked, I’m Every Woman: The Chaka Khan Musical with many more to be announced. The show will offer audience members the unique opportunity to see performances from incredible West End and touring musicals under one roof.
● All tickets are free for National Lottery players as a 'thank you' for the £30m they raise, on average, every week for National Lottery-funded projects. Theatre enthusiasts can reserve up to four free tickets on a first-come, first-served basis. A £2 booking fee applies per ticket upon booking and proof of purchase of a National Lottery product is required on the day of the event by the ticket booker. Participating musicals may be subject to change.
WHEN IS THE EVENT TAKING PLACE?
● The event takes place on Monday 26th January 2025. Doors will open at 6.00pm. Please allow sufficient time to go through venue security.
● Attendees must be seated by 7.15pm as the event is being filmed. The event will start at 7.30pm and finish at approximately 9:00pm. There will be no interval, and no readmission will be permitted during the event. It may not be suitable for very young children.
● Any attendees arriving after 7.15pm may not be admitted or may be reseated. This means that your seats may differ from those confirmed on your ticket(s).
WILL THE EVENT BE TELEVISED?
● Yes, the event will be televised on BBC1 and iPlayer. Please check TV listings for details nearer the time.
TICKET INFO
HOW DO I GET TICKETS TO THE EVENT?
● Pre-sale tickets will be available via AXS from 9am on 9th December 2025 for Lotto players who have played all Lotto draws online in November 2025. General sale tickets will be available via AXS from 1pm on 9thDecember 2025 to National Lottery players who have a valid National Lottery ticket.
● You can search www.BigNightOfMusicals.com and you will be redirected to the AO Arena, Manchester website, which has the link to AXS to book tickets.
● Tickets are free subject to a £2 booking fee per ticket. National Lottery players may book up to a maximum of four tickets. Only one booking for tickets per email address is permitted. All seats are allocated on a ‘best available’ basis.
● Tickets are also being distributed to National Lottery-funded community and grassroots arts organisations.
HOW DO I QUALIFY FOR THE PRE-SALE
· The pre-sale is for Lotto players who have played all Lotto draws online in November 2025.
DO I NEED A NATIONAL LOTTERY PRODUCT?
● Yes, you acknowledge that by booking tickets, you undertake that you are a National Lottery player and possess a ticket for a National Lottery product.
● Pre-sale access is for Lotto players who have played all Lotto draws online in November 2025. All National Lottery products qualify for the general sale, whether a National Lottery draw-based game, scratchcard or online instant win game, whether purchased in store, on The National Lottery website, or via The National Lottery app.
● Proof of purchase is required at point of entry to the Venue, and you may be asked to show your National Lottery product in digital or hard copy form prior to entry to the Event.
HOW MANY TICKETS CAN I BOOK?
● National Lottery players may book up to a maximum four (4) tickets, and only one booking for tickets per email address is permitted. Every person attending and taking a seat will require their own ticket, even if a child.
WHY HAVE SOME OF MY TICKETS OR ORDERS BEEN CANCELLED?
● In order to ensure as many people are able to attend this fantastic event, National Lottery players are able to book up to four tickets per email address free of charge (plus a £2 booking fee per ticket). Where people place multiple orders and book more than four tickets per email address, subsequent orders will be cancelled. Players will receive email confirmation and be automatically refunded for the associated booking fees. Original bookings will be visible in your AXS Account.
● People that can no longer attend the event, can transfer tickets to someone else as long as at least one member of the new party is over 18. Please see here for further information on how to transfer tickets via AXS.
● If you wish to cancel your ticket(s) please let us know by selecting UK Customer service and adding your ticket order details here by 9am on 25th January 2025. If you do successfully cancel your tickets, your booking fee will be fully refunded.
● For more detailed information on ticket entry conditions please see the event T&Cs here and AXS’s Purchase Agreement here.
WHY IS THERE A BOOKING FEE?
● The booking fee is payable to AXS and meets the cost of administering the ticket through the ticketing and box office process.
ARE ALL TICKETS SEATED?
● Yes, this is a fully seated event.
I DON’T HAVE A SMARTPHONE – HOW CAN I ACCESS MY TICKETS?
● If you do not have a smartphone you can transfer the tickets to someone in your group coming to the event who has a smartphone. Please see here for more information.
CAN I SELL THE TICKETS OR TRANSFER THEM TO SOMEONE ELSE?
● The tickets are strictly not for resale, however, they can be transferred if you can no longer attend the event. If tickets are transferred, at least one member of the new party must be over 18 and a National Lottery player with proof of their purchase. Please click here for details on how to transfer your tickets.
● Please note, you may be asked to see your ID for proof of age on entry.
● Tickets that appear and/are purchased on resale sites will be invalidated.
WHAT IF I CAN NO LONGER ATTEND THE SHOW?
● If you have received your ticket/s but can no longer attend, you can transfer your tickets to someone else as long as at least one member of the new party must be over 18 and a National Lottery player. Please see herefor details on how to transfer your tickets.
● If you can no longer use your ticket(s) please let us know by adding your ticket order details to this form here by 9am on 25th January 2025. If you do successfully cancel your tickets, your booking fee will be fully refunded.
● For more detailed information on ticket entry conditions please see the event T&Cs here and AXS’s Purchase Agreement here.
WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I REQUIRE AN ACCESSIBLE TICKET?
● For full details on accessible tickets please see information here.
● Please note the show will have a British Sign Language team.
DOES THE VENUE PROVIDE HEARING LOOPS?
● Yes, they have an infra-red hearing assistance system available in the auditorium. Please contact the venue for more information here.
WHAT ARE THE TICKET AGE LIMITS?
● National Lottery players booking tickets must be over 18, however you can bring guests of any age. Any attendee under the age of 18 must remain under the control or supervision of an adult aged 18 years or over, at all times whilst at the Event.
● You may be asked to verify your age with a photo ID.
● The Event may not be suitable for very young children.
INFORMATION ABOUT THE AO ARENA, MANCHESTER
HOW DO I GET TO THE AO ARENA AND WHAT FACILITIES ARE AVAILABLE?
● To help plan your visit, including travel, accommodation and catering options, venue facilities and safety information please see here.
CAN I BRING MY OWN FOOD AND DRINK INTO THE VENUE?
● No food or drink items can be taken into the AO Arena. Only food and drink items purchased on the premises may be consumed in the AO Arena.
● If you have any specific dietary or medical requirements, please speak to a steward at the door upon arrival and contact us in advance of your visit if you have any questions.
● A variety of food and beverages will be available for purchase within the Venue and free water is available on the concourses from the water dispensers.
CAN I SMOKE IN THE VENUE?
● No, the venue does not have any smoking areas.
STAYING SAFE
HOW CAN I BE SURE I WILL BE SAFE AT THE AO ARENA?
● Please see up to date information on the AO Arena, Manchester site here.
CAN I BRING MY BAG INTO THE VENUE?
· Please keep personal belongings to a minimum. One small bag per person is permitted, note that shopping bags, backpacks, travel cases, laptop bags and large tote bags are not permitted inside the arena.
· There are no storage facilities at the venue and the venue is not responsible for late admission or non-admission due to failure to comply.
· The bag size limits are as follows:
· All bags larger than 30cm wide x 40cm long x 20cm deep (approx. A3 sized) are strictly prohibited.
· Backpacks are not permitted and there is no facility to store prohibited items.
· Bags that can be worn on the back must not exceed 30cm wide x 20cm long x 20cm deep (approx. A4 sized).