We went for the first time in 2026. Read that you aren’t guaranteed entry so to turn up early. We got there for 8.45 and already a big queue. However we did get tickets. We were sat up in the higher block so I imagine if you want some tv action you need to be there early to secure the best seats. We weren’t that bothered. Go for a toilet stop before you get to the car park as nowhere open nearby for toilet.
If you are making signs it’s better to make ones that roll up as not much space. And smaller bags if you can purely for space. Once you’ve got your ticket you can go and get breakfast then get back for 11.30. We popped to Costa a few minutes drive away near Meadowhall shopping centre. They don’t open the doors till 12 so if you’ve got really little ones make sure they’ve used the toilet as once you’re in the queue you can’t really leave.
Although it’s a long day I thought it went really quickly. We took plenty of snacks and also bought some pizza there. There are plenty of opportunities to get up and stretch legs. Being in the upper tier we nipped out for the toilet before the natural break to avoid the queues. Probably harder to do if your block is being filmed. It was a great day. The bbc djs keep everyone interested with games and prizes throughout the day. There was a competition for the best banner. We didn’t rush out of the arena we took our time at the end, and the car park was really quiet by the time we got there.
One thing I didn’t realise and I think everyone should know is if you are in a seat down below and they are getting ready to record, and you are not in your seat, you risk losing it. I wish they did an announcement about it to be honest at the start. We were sat in a higher block and asked to move to 4 seats below. So moved all our stuff (4 of us) then after a while someone came back and told us we were in their seats and they’d been to the toilet so we had to go back. I spoke to the lady that asked us to sit there and she said if she’d seen it, she would have asked the other people to sit elsewhere. Apparently once they are getting ready for filming they fill all the seats to look full. Anyway we were asked a second time to fill some seats behind a contenders family and we obliged. However they came back too and said we were in their seats. I had to ask them to speak to the ladies in red t-shirts. They lost their seats to us just before the eliminator was being filmed.
Just worth knowing a) that you can lose your seats and b) if you’re asked to move you don’t need to give those seats back. Just ask them to speak to the staff who will explain why.
It felt a little bit harsh. But they need bums in seats so if you’re gone for too long don't expect to come back to your same seats.
Should be fine if in an upper tier.
All in all a great day though.