The Bolton Arena is a modern leisure complex at the Middlebrook Retail and Leisure Park. It received worldwide recognition as a top sporting venue when it was chosen to host the badminton competition of the 2002 Commonwealth Games. Facilities here include
- Indoor and outdoor tennis courts
- Tennis academy – the Bolton Arena is a Lawn Tennis Association High Performance Centre
- Health and fitness club
- Spa with sauna and steam room
- Football pitches – full-size grass pitch, plus 5 and 7-a-side pitches – over 5000 footballers play here each week in various leagues
- Multi-purpose sports area
- Athletics track and field
- Aerobics/dance studios
- Restaurant
Studio classes and tennis courts can be booked in advance using the online booking system on the official website.
Activities are offered on a pay-as-you-go or membership basis. Bolton Arena is a non-profit making charitable trust that aims to provide affordable access to sport for all members of the community. Prices are cheaper than comparable commercial operations.
Opening times are Monday to Thursday 6.30 am to 11 pm, Friday 6.30 am to 10 pm, and weekends 8 am to 8 pm.
The Main Arena has a capacity of 9,000 while the Education Theatre can accommodate 500.
The Bolton Arena also hosts numerous events including boxing matches (Amir Khan has fought here several times), professional tennis tournaments (Davis Cup etc), conferences, etc. The regular Comedy Store nights almost always sell out. For details of what’s on visit the official website.
Hotels
Places to stay near the Bolton Arena include the Bolton Whites Hotel at the Reebok Stadium (Bolton Wanderers) and the Mercure in Blackrod.
Location
Bolton Arena is situated on Arena Approach at the Middlebrook Retail and Leisure Park in Bolton, close to the Reebok Stadium.
Visitors travelling by car should exit the M61 at Junction 6. Middlebrook is well signposted from here. Owners of satellite navigation systems should use the postcode BL6 6LB. There is free car parking either side of the main entrance.
Horwich Parkway Train Station is right next to the venue. There are regular train services to Manchester, Manchester Airport, Bolton, Preston, and Blackpool.
Best value gym in Bolton. I’ve previously been at David Lloyd and Virgin.This is cheaper than both of them. There’s no pool but never used it at other gyms anyway so don’t miss it. Looked into Bolton One. That was good too but there’s no way I’m going to pay for parking every time I want to visit the gym.
Hi, I’m the Health & Fitness Manager at Bolton Arena. Just to inform you that our opening/closing times have altered to the following if you’d like to change:
06.30-23:00 Mon-Thurs
06.30-22:00 Fri
08.00-20.00 Sat/Sun
Many thanks
Glenn Carroll
Thanks Glenn. The opening times have been updated.