Wembley Arena concert virgin - walk me through

[spicychai333]

I'm taking teenagers to see 21 pilots at the Wembley Arena. I've never been before. When it says "doors open 6pm", it doesn't mean music starts then, does it? I've read somewhere that the support act tends to start at 7.30... what do you do between 6 and 7.30? Is there anything stopping us from turning up at 7.30? or should we get there at 6?
Is driving there (and parking in the official car park, which I can reserve for £16) mad? Should we take the tube?

There is very little to do once you are inside at Wembley, a few bars & concession stands only. Loads of people will turn up for the support bands & some will just arrive for the main act. Driving is difficult - expensive & painful to exit due to long queues. Tube is a 10-15 min walk but definitely easiest when exiting

Doors open means you will be able to get in and if you want, find your seats, or find a spot in the standing area.

There will be stalls selling food, drink & merchandise in the venue, but also around and outside.

We always park one stop away from Wembley Park on the jubilee line (such as Kingsbury ) and have always been lucky to find street parking. Or you can hire a local driveway to park in. There is an official website / app for this.

I'd advise against parking nearby in all honesty- the crowds as they leave take hours to dwindle down, so you can end up queuing and waiting. But others might disagree.

Also, I always leave during the last 5 minutes to avoid the hell that is leaving alongside thousands and thousands of others, but your kids might see that as completely wrecking the experience...

You can't take anything in with you, the security is great but only take necessary items.

Buying food / drink will cost.

There are loads of toilets and queues go down quite quickly.

Wembley Park tube station normally closes its gates to let the platforms clear, then reopens until the crowds are through- another reason I like to run there before all of that.

There's nothing to stop you turning up at 7:30 or even later for the main act.

Doors open means that you can actually enter the venue itself, the acts usually are not on until later. You can give the venue a call and find out the exact time the main act will come on. I tend to arrive in time for the main act personally but each to their own. There is little or nothing to do at Wembley Arena. There will be a lot of food places like burgers etc but no seating (as far as I can remember, happy to be corrected), lots of merchandise stalls and places to buy drinks but it’s not like the O2 with large areas to sit and eat in or restaurants outside the venue etc.

I wouldn’t drive as it is gridlock when events are on, I’d go by public transport. If you are travelling there from Central London, use the Metropolitan line. The Jubilee line is much slower as there are lots more stop before Wembley Park.

Thank you so much everyone - feel much better prepared!!

I can't understand why any able-bodied person would drive to Wembley. Just get the tube.

Take the tube. Check a day or so before of the band and support act times which will usually be given.

I am also taking teenagers to 21 Pilots!

If you have time the arena is next to the Wembley Designer Outlet which is good for a mooch. There is a Haribo and a Lindt shop there so well worth a look.

And yes deffo the train. Perhaps park at Harrow on the HIll station which is only two stops from Wembley.

Thanks again, I will take the train. Hope 21 pilots will be worth it...