Attending a performance or event
Welcome to our theatres, restaurants, bars and shop. Explore all you might need to know about attending an event at the Royal Opera House.
The safety of our visitors and staff are still our priority and we continue to have strict cleaning regimes and enhanced ventilation in place. All performances, events and tours are being sold at full seating capacities. You do not need to provide proof of vaccination to visit us. Wearing a face covering is no longer required, however you are welcome to wear one. We strongly recommend that you visit our website before every visit for updates.
Wearing face coverings is no longer a requirement. However, staff and visitors are welcome to wear face masks if they wish to. If you forgot your face mask and would like one, please speak to a member of our staff.
To help us provide a comfortable and enjoyable experience for everyone, please be mindful of others and their personal space when moving around the theatre and queueing for bars and toilets.
We continue to have strict cleaning regimes and enhanced ventilation in place. We are frequently cleaning high-touch areas such as door handles, bannisters and toilets. We provide 100% fresh air through our ventilation system. Our toilets are ventilated 24 hours a day. Auditoria seating is also subject to anti-viral fogging regularly to ensure that no viruses live on surfaces or seats.
There are hand-sanitizing stations throughout the building.
If you feel unwell and have COVID-19 symptoms, please do not visit us. We have flexible booking options available for you and your guests to rebook for another performance. Read more about our exchange policy.
Please note that we will be operating with e-tickets only. It is not possible to collect physical tickets. Please bring a device to show your e-ticket on or print it out before you come to the theatre.
The Box Office opens 90 minutes before a performance and closes when the performance starts. We can only help with ticket enquiries for the performance about to take place. We cannot help with future bookings, and the counter is not open at any other time. You can find out what's on and book tickets or contact us at any other time via the website.
We will take time to search all bags on entry in a contact-free manner. Please only bring a bag if necessary and avoid bringing large pieces of luggage. This will ensure that everyone can get to their seat as quickly as possible.
Thank you for your cooperation.
Step-free access is available on both the right-hand side and left-hand side of the auditorium. Step-free access to the left-hand side of the auditorium is currently subject to delay due to only one lift being in operation.
The Royal Opera House is committed to accessibility for everyone. We encourage all customers with access requirements to join our Access Scheme, or to get in touch with us so that we can meet your requirements and preferences.
You can find the layout of our auditoria here.
You may not be able to see all of the stage from some seats in the theatre. This can be due to a position being to the side, or because of obstructions like tier ledges, safety rails, pillars or ceiling overhang. You can find out about view restrictions and other details for a particular seat either online, by telephone or at the box office.
Standing places are not recommended for people under 5'4'' (1.6m), due to view restrictions from tier ledges, leaning bars or audience members in the row in front.
Camera restricted view seats; and listening seats may still be available for performances on the Main Stage.
In the case of an emergency, please listen to staff and follow instructions to safely exit the building.
You can buy ice creams to be enjoyed inside the auditorium.
Drinks are not permitted inside the auditoria except bottled water. Drinks bought at our bars must be consumed before entering.
Water refill stations are available on all levels. Feel free to bring a reusable bottle with you, or purchase an ROH refillable bottle from our shop and bars.
Audience members can use toilet facilities, which are regularly sanitised and ventilated 24 hours a day.
Our cloakrooms are open. We ask you that you only use the cloakrooms if necessary, as the cloakrooms become very busy, especially at the end of the performance. Where possible, please only bring a small bag that can be placed under your seat. We cannot store e-scooters and e-unicycles, even if folded, so please do not bring those into the building.
If you lose an item, please contact Lost property or speak to a member of the Front of House team.
Please provide a detailed description of the lost item and the date you visited.
Lost property is kept for one month only. You must collect items in person from the Royal Opera House. Unfortunately we cannot post items to you. We are not responsible for any lost property.
We are a cashless venue and we can only accept card and contactless payment methods.
The shop will be open Monday to Saturday from midday until the start of the evening performance, and on Sundays when there is a performance.
There is no formal dress code. We want everyone to feel comfortable and able to engage with what is happening on stage, and so we encourage audiences and visitors to wear whatever they feel comfortable wearing. We only ask that you are fully clothed and that your feet are covered.
Anyone is welcome at the Royal Opera House to enjoy our public spaces, shop and café. We welcome children aged 5 and above into our performances (younger children are welcome at specific family events and some of our tours). They must have their own ticket and sit next to an accompanying adult.
On the website, we indicate where a performance might be different from usual. These indicators can be found next to performances listed on a production page, or on the event page for that performance. These indicators are explained below: