Homeground on First Street is a socially distanced space located 150metres from HOME. It will be open from 28 May to August 2021, suitable for all ages and includes a theatre space called Auto Trader Showground, Food & Drink Terrace and The Bruntwood Stage.
Entry is free and you won’t need a ticket – however you will be able to prebook theatre shows and food tables in advance.
Plenty of seating is provided and staff will allocate seating in our Food & Drink Terrace on arrival.
Click here to download the Homeground Access Information document (word document)
Homeground Opening Hours
Monday 9th August – closed to the public, entry only allowed for ticketholders
Tuesday – Thursday 5pm – 10pm
Friday 5pm – 11pm
Saturday 12pm – 11pm
Sunday 12pm – 10pm
Homeground will be closing at 7pm on Sun 15 Aug
The Bruntwood Stage
The Bruntwood Stage is our free pop up stage inside Homeground that will be unticketed and full of performances from local artists. This is next to the Food and Drink Terrace. Dogs are permitted in this area as long as they are kept on their lead.
Food and Drink Terrace
Food and drink ia available on-site. A full list of food vendors will be announced soon.
There are designated smoking areas, wheelchair accessible tables and dogs are permitted in this area as long as they are kept on their lead.
Access
Homeground is a temporary pop-up venue. It is located on an old carpark with uneven ground and large areas of gravel underfoot.
Flat shoes are essential.
For wheelchair users or those with mobility impairments, there are alternate accessible entrances available leading directly from the street to each designated area of the site. Please report to the main Homeground entrance to be assisted in entering via the alternate entrances.
The site is large (approx. 200 metres across in each direction).
The postcode for the site is M15 4AA
The closest drop-off point is approximately 10metres from the site entrance next to James Grigor Square at M15 4AA. This drop-off point is located across the road from the main Homeground entrance.
There are audio described events, caption subtitled events and BSL interpreted events including A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Alice In Wonderland.
There are wheelchair accessible tables available in the Food and Drink area which is next to the Bruntwood Stage. You can book in advance to reserve at table by emailing homegroundcatering@homemcr.org or call 0161 212 3500
There are accessible toilets in each of the areas of the site.
Assistance Dogs UK (ADUK) accredited dogs with formal identification are welcome across all areas of the site. Ask staff on site if you have questions.
If you have questions in relation to accessibility, please contact access@homemcr.org, call our Box Office on 0161 200 1500 or drop into HOME.
Toilets
We have plenty of toilets available on the site including accessible cubicles located in each of the different areas of the site.
COVID Guidelines
Homeground will be adhering to all government guidelines in relation to COVID-19. This page will be updated with more information as it is released by the government.
To find out our booking policy in relation to ticket cancellations please scroll to the bottom of this page.
Performance Information
Ticketing
All performances in Auto Trader Showground are ticketed.
Tickets can be purchased on the door, however availability is limited so we recommend you book in advance.
A Midsummer Night’s Dream
When booking tickets for a performance you will automatically be allocated a table in Auto Trader Showground based on the number of tickets you select. You need to comply by the rule of six or two households for your booking and your table will be socially distanced from other audience members.
If you want to add tickets to an existing order please call the Box Office so we can make sure you are sat together.
All other shows
When booking tickets for all other shows you will be able to pick your own seats with our tables allocated in seats of 1,2,3,4,5 and 6. Please only select a table for the number of tickets you are buying for. We have a limited number of each table size therefore it is important to book in advance where possible.
The seating for Homeground is socially-distanced and complies with the latest government guidelines, in order to provide the best possible experience for our audience. As part of this, some events have tables set at fixed group sizes to allow as many people as possible to enjoy our events this summer.
Weather
We’re all used to a little rain here in Manchester including our performers! Please be prepared to sit outside for a performance during a typical British summer.
The show will always go on unless in exceptional circumstances. In this situation we will contact all customers no earlier than two hours before the planned performance as the weather can change over the course of the day.
Umbrellas are not permitted in the theatre space so please come with appropriate clothing for an outdoor event.
If a show is cancelled due to the weather HOME will offer exchanges to another performance in the run. If this is not possible customers will be offered the opportunity to donate the value of their tickets to HOME, credit or receive a refund. For the full ticketing terms and conditions please see below.
Access
Homeground is a temporary pop-up venue. It is located on an old carpark with uneven ground and large areas of gravel underfoot.
Flat shoes are essential.
For wheelchair users or those with mobility impairments, there are alternate accessible entrances available leading directly from the street to each designated area of the site. Please report to the main Homeground entrance to be assisted in entering via the alternate entrances.
The site is large (approx. 200 metres across in each direction).
The postcode for the site is M15 4AA
The closest drop-off point is approximately 10metres from the site entrance next to James Grigor Square at M15 4AA. This drop-off point is located across the road from the main Homeground entrance.
There are audio described events, caption subtitled events and BSL interpreted events including A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Alice In Wonderland.
We have set aside accessible tables for those wishing to book seats near toilets and those looking for specific seats. To book one of these areas please email the Box Office on access@homemcr.org or call 0161 200 1500
Only assistance dogs (with formal Assistance Dogs UK identification) will be permitted into the performance space. If you are planning to come to a performance with an assistance dog please email access@homemcr.org or call 0161 200 1500
Food and Drink
We have a variety of food and drink vendors available at Homeground and you are welcome to bring food and drink bought on site into the performance space. We will also continue to sell food and drink throughout the shows using our online ordering system.
Advance booking is available for food and drink. To book, email homegroundcatering@homemcr.org or call 0161 212 3500
Wheelchair accessible tables are available.
Refunds and Exchanges
All tickets are non-refundable and cannot be exchanged.
If a show is cancelled by HOME customers will first be offered tickets to another performance in the run. If this is not possible customers will be offered the opportunity to donate the value of their tickets to HOME or receive a refund. For our full ticket terms and conditions please scroll to the bottom of this page.
Getting Here
By Bike
Bike racks are situated between HOME and the INNSIDE by Meliá hotel. There are 20 Sheffield stands available and additional racks are installed in the area surrounding First Street.
By Bus
The 256 bus from Piccadilly Gardens stops on Medlock Street. The bus stops are located approximately 100metres and 150metres from the Homeground entrance.
Alternatively, you can use the free buses which link main rail stations, car parks, shopping areas and businesses in the city centre. Free buses run from Piccadilly, Salford Central, Victoria, Oxford Road and Deansgate train stations. There are three circular routes covering the city centre (the Route 3 bus runs Mon-Sat in the evenings from 7.30pm and stops approximately 500 metres from Homeground on Whitworth Street West). Visit the Transport for Greater Manchester website to view the Free Bus map and to plan your journey.
By Tram (Metrolink)
The closest tram stop to Homeground is Deansgate-Castlefield which is 0.3 miles or 500 metres away. There is a lift at this station to travel between platform and road level.
For further information including videos of routes from stations, visit homemcr.org/visit/getting-here
Check the Metrolink website for times and updates. Metrolink operates a zonal fare system to make is easy to get around the network, tickets can be purchased from machines at stops and on the free Get Me There app. Deansgate-Castlefield is in Zone 1. Metrolink is currently working on improving and expanding its routes, for information on changes to services please visit transformationinformation.co.uk or if you’re on Twitter follow @MCRMetrolink.
By Train
Homeground is located between Oxford Road train station and Deansgate train station.
Deansgate train station is closest at 0.3 miles or 500 metres away.
Oxford Road train station is 0.4 miles or 645 metres away.
Piccadilly train station is 0.8 miles away.
Victoria train station is 1.2 miles away.
If you arrive at Piccadilly or Victoria, take a train to Deansgate or Oxford Road or use the free bus.
By Car
The nearest car park is Q-Park at First Street (next door to HOME). The pedestrian car park entrance is approximately 30metres from HOME’s main entrance.
Q-Park are offering Homeground visitors 25% off pre-booked parking, book via the Q-Park Website here and use the discount code HOMEGROUND to redeem.
Blue Badge holders can park on Hulme Street in parking bays next to the GMEV electric charging station which is approximately 160 metres from the Homeground entrance.
The Q-Park First Street multi-story carpark has 28 accessible parking spaces. This car park is located across from HOME on Tony Wilson Place at First Street. The pedestrian car park entrance is approximately 30 metres from HOME’s main entrance or 180metres from the Homeground entrance and is located facing the pedestrian public square, Tony Wilson Place. Please note that Blue Badges are not valid for free parking in the Q-Park.
Where To Stay
Hotel Offers
If you’re planning to stay overnight in Manchester as part of your visit to Homeground, Innside Manchester, which is located on First Street next to our main building, have a special offer for visitors. You can get 20% off the best available rate by using this code when booking online: 00610806BNK
If you wanted to be nearer Manchester Piccadilly Station, and want to convenience of a luxury Aparthotel, Native is the place for you. When visiting Homeground, you’ll be only a 18 minute walk away.
Ticketing Terms and Conditions
- If HOME is required to cancel any event bookers will be contacted within 48 hours with the option to donate the ticket value, receive credit on their account to the value of their order or receive a full refund. If a refund is requested this will be processed within 14 days.
- Tickets cannot be exchanged or refunded. The exception is if a booker or a member of a booker’s household is experiencing COVID-19 symptoms customers must inform the Box Office no later than 8pm the day before the relevant event. The Box Office will then credit accounts with the full amount of the order to be used on another event within one year or exchange the tickets to another screening/event.
- All prices are subject to availability.
- Customers will be unable to reserve tickets.
- Late entry and readmittance to the theatre and cinemas where possible is at the discretion of the Duty Manager.
- HOME Management reserves the right to admission and alter the programme without prior notice.