Welcome back to the Royal Albert Hall! Find out everything you need to know about visiting us and how we will keep you safe during your visit.

Good to know before you visit us

Expandable element Is it safe to visit the Hall?
After being closed to the public for more than six months, the Royal Albert Hall is finally opening its doors again and we are delighted to be able to welcome you back into our building. The health and safety of everyone who visits the Hall remains our priority and we have been following government guidance to ensure that the Hall is Covid-secure.
We will continuously review all safety measures at the venue, so please check our website before your visit in case any of the guidance has changed.
Our teams have been rigorously trained to support customers and ensure the Hall is COVID-safe – please listen to them and follow their guidance.
Welcome back
Expandable element How many people will be in the Hall at one time?
Following the announcement that London will move into Tier 2 from 2 December, there will be a maximum of 1000 audience members at any one performance this December, which is intimate for us (our usual capacity is 5,272, staff excluded!).
Our capacities are based on government guidance and discussed and agreed with Westminster City Council. In addition to this, around 100 members of Front of House, Security and Catering staff will be on hand to make your visit as smooth and safe as possible.
Expandable element What about queues?
We will be operating a controlled entry system through multiple doors. When you book a ticket, you will be given instructions on how to enter the Hall safely. To avoid queues within the Hall, you will be sent your tickets and any details of pre-ordered food and drink electronically. You can display them on your mobile device (or you can print them to show us). If you choose to display your ticket(s) on mobile, remember to have them ready for scanning with the brightness turned up to minimise queuing. Please be patient and respectful as there may be longer queues than normal to ensure your safety.
Expandable element What if I have a ticket and I or someone in my party develops symptoms?
If you, anyone you live with or anyone in your party is displaying symptoms associated with COVID-19, has tested positively for COVID-19, has been asked to isolate as part of the government’s test and trace system, or if there is a local lockdown that means you cannot travel to the performance, you agree that you will not attend the performance. But there is no need to worry! We will refund all or some of your tickets in full as requested, or offer you a credit voucher or exchange if you would prefer.
All refunds, credit vouchers and exchanges are subject to our normal terms and conditions. We might ask you to provide us with evidence to support your request – for example your track and trace notification.
Please let us know by 9am on the day of your event to request a refund, otherwise we won’t be able to process your refund in time. Take me to the refund form.
Expandable element Will latecomers be admitted?
This will depend on the performance. In order to maintain social distancing and limit any interruptions to the show, there may be a significant wait before you are admitted.
Expandable element How does it work with groups?
You can purchase up to 4 seats in the Arena and Stalls for socially distanced events. Please select the number of tickets you want when booking. If the quantity you require is not available for your selected seats, it means that we have sold out of this type of ticket for that zone.
Boxes can be purchased for larger groups. Tickets booked together must be for a single household/bubble in accordance with the latest government guidelines.
Online you can book up 6 tickets. We also have a limited number of boxes where we can have a maximum of 8 or 9 people, please do not book tickets online but email covid6plus@royalalberthall.com and we will get back to you.
Expandable element Will there be a curfew?
Performances will be able to run beyond 10pm. However, our bars and restaurants will close at 10pm in accordance with government guidance.
Expandable element How do I get to the Hall?
There are many ways to get to us, and you should pick the one that suits you best. If you’re using public transport, we recommend checking TFL to find the best route.
Find out more about how to get to us, including information on bicycle access and parking here.
Worried about travelling on public transport? Scientists from Imperial College London recently released their research findings after testing the TFL network. Read the BBC article.
Expandable element Will the cloakroom be open?
No, the cloakroom will be closed to avoid unnecessary contact. This means you will take your belongings into the auditorium with you, but we will be limiting the size of any bags allowed into the venue (a bit like on a plane but less complicated, hopefully.) Details will be sent to you in advance – we might be biased but our emails are super helpful so do check them out!
Expandable element Will you continue with security searches?
Yes, your bag will be searched by members of our Security team. This will be done in a contactless way by asking you to remove any items from your bag so that the Security team can see there are no restricted items inside. This will be a condition of entry and we advise you to bring as few items as possible. We will also be limiting the size of bags that can be brought into the venue. Details will be sent to you in advance via email. Emails are good. Check them.
Expandable element How is air circulated in your old Victorian building?
We might be old but our air isn’t, thank you very much. Our air handling system is fed by filtered fresh air. Used air is extracted to the outside and is not recirculated. Filters are changed as part of regular, routine maintenance and we have full control over the air system – both fan speed and temperature – throughout the auditorium.
Expandable element Will I be able to use a hearing device?
Yes. You will be able to make use of our Sennheiser hearing loop system and you can enquire about this at Door 6 on the ground floor. All equipment will be thoroughly sterilised before and after each use.
Expandable element Will there still be provisions for people in wheelchairs?
Yes, patrons who use wheelchairs will be able to book for performances when tickets become available. Please check back with us when they do for instructions on how to book.
Expandable element Have you gone cashless?
After our reopening, we will be requesting cashless payment throughout the building. By which we mean contactless or card. If you arrive with three-penny bits (pronounced 'thripenny'), six-pences, shillings, florins, half-crowns or crowns, your offer will certainly be considered (mostly by our archivists) but will inevitably be declined.
Expandable element What cleaning regime is in place?
The Hall will have a rigorous cleaning regime, in accordance with government guidelines and best practice using hospital-grade virucidal products. The venue will be cleaned throughout the day, between every show. We will clean the seats before and after every performance. We will also regularly spray the seats and other parts of the venue with the same industry-leading virucide that is used by TFL and other major institutions.
viral fogging in the auditorium
Expandable element Will you be providing hand sanitiser?
There will be contactless hand sanitising stations throughout the building. We encourage everyone to wash and/or sanitise their hands wherever possible during their visit. Contactless hand sanitising station

While you're here

Expandable element What social distancing measures are in place?
We ask all our audience members to sit only with the members of their household/bubble that they have booked their tickets with. All groups will be seated at least 1m+ from other groups, in accordance with government guidance.
Socially distanced seating plan
We will be asking people to stay strictly in the seats they have booked unless they have been given permission from a member of staff to move to alternative seats. In all regards, we ask you to keep a 1 metre plus distance from those outside your bubble or group while in the Hall.
To help us manage social distancing at the end of the performance, we kindly ask that you stay in your seat until you are instructed to leave by one of our friendly Stewards. We will be trying to egress everyone row by row wherever possible.
Remember to look out for the signage around the Hall: it's there to help with the social distancing measures in place.
Signage in the corridor
Expandable element Will I be able to re-enter the auditorium during the performance?
This will depend on the performance. If you have any concerns please speak to one of our Stewarding team on the day. Please also be mindful that we would like to minimise the number of times that audience members have to pass by other parties in their seating row.
Expandable element Do I need to wear a face covering?
Yes, government guidance and legal requirements are currently that all audience members (except under 11s) must wear a face covering at all times, except as briefly as possible to eat or drink. The staff, cast and crew will be wearing face coverings (unless they are performing) and will keep their distance from one another as much as possible. This may change, so do please check back for the latest.
We are aware that some people cannot wear face coverings for health reasons. If this applies to you, please do not book tickets online but email maskexemption@royalalberthall.com. You can also download a card here, which you can print to show to anyone who might ask why you are not wearing a face covering. This card is not mandatory, but we encourage you to bring one as you may find it makes your visit smoother.
Expandable element Will there be singing?
All concerts will be performed in compliance with government guidelines at the time, and the safety of our audience and performers will always be our number one priority.
Performers: Will follow the findings of the DCMS-backed University of Bristol study on singing, PERFORM, which concluded that singing is no more risky than talking, with the right social distancing measures and precautions in place. More information on the study can be found here.
Audiences: We love to sing along to the carols as much as you do, but things are a bit different this year and we might be limited to humming or singing in our heads, depending on the government guidance at the time.
We will continue to review singing as part of the wider Covid-19 safety measures in place at the Hall. Please check back with us closer to the time for information on of the performance you are attending.
Expandable element Can we eat and drink at the Hall?
We have a variety of dining spaces and bars across all levels, open to ticket holders. Check the Food & Drink section of our website to find out more.
Please note that as a concert hall we are permitted to sell alcohol to ticket holders 30 minutes before the start of the show, but you must be seated when eating or drinking.
If you have tickets, you will also receive an email prior to your visit with all the information you need.
Expandable element Can I buy a programme or visit the shop?
Unfortunately, we won’t be able to sell programmes, but our shop will be open and stocked full of Christmas gifts. If you’d like to check out the shop beforehand, head here.
Royal Albert Hall shop Negotiations in progress in our shop
Expandable element The toilet question
We really couldn’t avoid this one. Yes, you will be able to use the toilet at the Hall, (which hopefully doesn't come as a surprise...)
We will have a maximum capacity at any one time for use of our toilet facilities in order to ensure social distancing is maintained. This will be managed by staff on the day to assist you. You may not always be able to use the facilities after the show. Please consider this beforehand. We will share event-specific details ahead of time to facilitate planning.
Toilet signage
Toilets will be cleaned throughout the day, before, during and after shows.
We understand that some people have invisible disabilities that mean they have special requirements. Accessible toilets can be found on every level, please speak to a member of staff.
Expandable element Can I stay at the Hall in between shows?
That won’t be possible as we will need to deep-clean the venue in between performances. We will ask all audience members to leave straight away after seeing a show, even if they have a ticket for a performance later in the day. Sad, but unfortunately true.
Expandable element Can I collect my ticket at the Box Office?
No, we are currently only offering e-tickets. You will receive these via email after booking and can be displayed on your phone (or you can print and show). If you experience any issues, do email contact@royalalberthall.com
Contactless ticket scanning
Expandable element NHS COVID-19 app
NHS COVID-19 app QR code posters will be displayed around the Hall, and we will be asking anyone who has the app to use them.

After you leave

Expandable element Who should I contact if I show symptoms after attending the venue?
If you start to develop symptoms of Coronavirus, you should self-isolate and get tested as quickly as possible. If you then test positive, NHS Test and Trace will ask you where you have been recently and who you have seen. They will then get in touch with anyone you may have been in close contact with to advise them on what to do next. Test and Trace QR code posters will be displayed around the Hall, and we encourage our audience to use them.
Expandable element Will I be contacted if someone has Coronavirus at the venue?
This will be the responsibility of NHS Test and Trace. As required, we will keep the contact details of all lead bookers who attend a performance and this will be shared with NHS Test and Trace in a secure way. If one of your fellow audience members tests positive for Coronavirus following a performance, you may receive a call from NHS Test and Trace, asking you to get tested or self-isolate. We ask that you follow any advice they may give you.