Theatre access schemes compared: ATG, LW Theatres, Nederlander and more
The big theatre groups each run their own access scheme. Join once and you can book access seats across that group's theatres, though companion ticket rules differ from one group to the next. 25 of the 54 theatres and concert halls we track mention a scheme or register.
The schemes compared
What is the ATG access scheme called and does it cost anything?
ATG Entertainment runs the Access Membership Scheme, which is free to join. It is open to Deaf and disabled customers and people with long-term health conditions, and members can book accessible seats and services online.
How do I join the ATG Access Membership Scheme?
You need a valid Nimbus Access Card, or a Hynt card if you live in Wales, and you fill in ATG's online registration form using the name exactly as it appears on the card. ATG says membership is usually confirmed within 24 hours of your details being checked, then you activate your account from the confirmation email.
Can a carer use their own ID to join the ATG access scheme?
No. ATG says it cannot accept carer ID cards because membership belongs to the Deaf or disabled person, and eligibility is based on the Equality Act 2010 definition of disability. Access priced tickets are not released until your proof has been accepted.
Does ATG give a free ticket for an essential companion?
ATG has a Personal Assistant or Essential Companion policy, and members also get access concessions of up to 1/3 off their own ticket. From 5 October 2026 the companion ticket no longer shows as £0; instead the Access ticket price is split equally across the two tickets, and ATG says the total you pay together stays the same.
How do I join the LW Theatres access scheme?
Fill in the LW Theatres Access Scheme registration form and send one proof of eligibility by email to access@lwtheatres.co.uk or by post. Accepted documents include the front page of a DLA or PIP letter at any rate, a Blue Badge, a Disabled Persons Railcard or a Certificate of Visual Impairment. If your show is within two weeks, you can bring proof to the box office on your first visit.
Do LW Theatres give a free carer or personal assistant ticket?
Yes, a Personal Assistant ticket is given at no extra charge for people who need continuous one to one support. Proof for this includes PIP daily living, the higher or middle rate DLA care component, or an Attendance Allowance letter, and other cases are looked at individually.
How do I book access tickets at LW Theatres?
You can book access tickets by phone without being a member. To book online you must be registered on the scheme, then log in, pick your seats and choose the access price, with up to two tickets at an access price.
How do I join the Nederlander Theatres access list?
Nederlander, which runs the Dominion and the Aldwych, has an Access List open to anyone disabled under the Equality Act 2010. You complete the online registration form with proof such as PIP, DLA, Attendance Allowance, a Freedom Pass, an Access Card or a Disabled Persons Railcard, and it can take up to five working days to process.
Does Nederlander offer companion tickets?
Access List members may get concession rate or companion tickets where these are available, but this is decided by each production. Once registered you can book online, by phone or in person at the box office.
How does access booking work at Delfont Mackintosh Theatres?
Delfont Mackintosh uses the Nimbus Access Card, and registering through its link is free. You need a Nimbus registration number to qualify for access discounts online; otherwise the Access team can check and process your booking on 0344 482 5137 or by email at access@delfontmackintosh.co.uk.
Do Nimax Theatres give free carer tickets?
Nimax access bookers can get up to two seats at a reduced rate, for a disabled person and their companion, rather than a free carer ticket. Proof can include the front page of DLA or PIP, a Blue Badge, a Disabled Railcard, a CEA Card or a Nimbus Access Card, among others.
How do I book access tickets at Nimax Theatres?
Nimax lets you book access tickets online for many shows from the performances listed on its access page. For help you can email access@nimaxtheatres.com or call 0330 333 4815.
What is the National Theatre Access scheme?
The National Theatre's Access scheme is for Deaf, disabled and neurodivergent visitors. Members can book accessible seats online, get early booking for access tickets and pay adjusted prices for themselves and a companion. You can sign up online or by phone on 020 7452 3961.
Checked against the official sources on 13 October 2026: atgtickets.com/access/access-scheme, help.atgtickets.com/hc/en-gb/articles/360017181039-How-do-I-join-the-Access-Membership-Scheme, help.atgtickets.com/hc/en-gb/articles/360017132220-Who-is-eligible-for-the-Access-Membership-Scheme, help.atgtickets.com/hc/en-gb/articles/39462535617938-Changes-to-how-Essential-Companion-ticket-prices-are-shown-from-5th-October-2026, lwtheatres.co.uk/lw-theatres-access-scheme, nederlander.co.uk/access-list, delfontmackintosh.co.uk/access, nimaxtheatres.com/access, nationaltheatre.org.uk/your-visit/access.
Theatres and how they handle companion tickets
| Venue | Carer ticket | How to book |
|---|---|---|
| Adelphi Theatre, London | Free | Online for Access Scheme members; otherwise access line 020 3925 2998 or email |
| Apollo Victoria Theatre, London | Free | Join free ATG Access Membership, then book online alongside a paid Access ticket; access line 0333 009 5399 |
| ATG Theatres | Free | Join free ATG Access Membership, then book the companion ticket alongside a paid ticket online; or call the access line 0333 009 5399 |
| Birmingham Hippodrome | Free | Online once registration number is linked to your account, by phone on 0121 689 1060, or at the box office |
| Bristol Hippodrome | Free | Join ATG Access Membership and book alongside your paid ticket; access line 0333 009 5399 |
| Curve, Leicester | Free | Join the Access Register, then book via access@curvetheatre.co.uk, 0116 242 3595 or in person |
| Dominion Theatre, London | Unconfirmed | Register on the Access List (about 5 working days), then book online, by phone or in person; concession rates show at online checkout |
| Gillian Lynne Theatre, London | Free | Online for Access Scheme members; otherwise access line 020 3925 2998 or email |
| Leeds Grand Theatre | Discounted | Online by selecting the 'Disabled or Essential Companion' price type, or call the access line 0113 205 3899 |
| Liverpool Empire Theatre | Free | Book online through ATG Access Membership account, alongside a paid ticket |
| London Coliseum | Discounted | Log in to account for access discounts online, or box office 020 7845 9300 |
| London Palladium | Free | Online for Access Scheme members; otherwise access line 020 3925 2998 (Mon-Sat 10am-5:30pm) or access@lwtheatres.co.uk |
| Lyceum Theatre, London | Free | Book online alongside a paid Access ticket (ATG Access Membership); from 5 Oct 2026 the Access price is split across both tickets at no extra cost; access line 0333 009 5399 |
| Lyceum Theatre, Sheffield | Free | In person at the Box Office or by phone on 0114 249 6000 |
| Lyric Theatre (London) | Discounted | Online, or Access Team on 0330 333 4815 / access@nimaxtheatres.com (Mon to Sat 10am to 7:30pm) |
| Manchester Opera House | Free | Book online through ATG Access Membership account, alongside a paid ticket |
| National Theatre, London | Discounted | Online as Access Scheme member, or Access line 020 7452 3961 (Mon to Sat 11am to 6pm) / access@nationaltheatre.org.uk |
| Novello Theatre, London | Unconfirmed | Companion seats bookable next to accessible spaces; link Nimbus/Access Card and pick Essential Companion online, or access line 0344 482 5137 / access@delfontmackintosh.co.uk |
| Palace Theatre (London) | Discounted | Online, or Access Team on 0330 333 4815 / access@nimaxtheatres.com (Mon to Sat 10am to 7:30pm) |
| Palace Theatre Manchester | Free | Book online through ATG Access Membership account, alongside a paid ticket |
| Phoenix Theatre (London) | Free | Online through ATG Access Membership Scheme once eligibility verified; companion ticket only alongside a paid ticket |
| Prince Edward Theatre, London | Unconfirmed | Online via Access Card login on DMT site, or access line 0344 482 5137 / access@delfontmackintosh.co.uk; Essential Companion option shown at checkout if eligible |
| Prince of Wales Theatre, London | Unconfirmed | Link Nimbus/Access Card to DMT account and pick Essential Companion at online checkout if eligible; or access line 0344 482 5137 / access@delfontmackintosh.co.uk |
| Royal Opera House, London | Free | Join free Access Scheme, then book online, by phone (020 7304 4000), post or in person |
| Savoy Theatre, London | Free | Online through ATG Access Membership Scheme once eligibility verified; companion ticket only alongside a paid ticket |
| Shakespeare's Globe, London | Unconfirmed | Online via Access Scheme, or Access team on 020 7902 1409 |
| Sondheim Theatre, London | Unconfirmed | Online via Access Card login on DMT site, or access line 0344 482 5137 / access@delfontmackintosh.co.uk; Essential Companion option shown at checkout if eligible |
| Theatre Royal Drury Lane, London | Free | Online for Access Scheme members; ticket desk in foyer, phone 020 3925 2998 (Mon-Sat 10am-5:30pm) or email |
| Theatre Royal Newcastle | Free | Online once registered, or via the Box Office; access line 0191 594 6619 |
| Victoria Palace Theatre, London | Unconfirmed | Link Nimbus/Access Card to DMT account and pick Essential Companion at online checkout if eligible; or access line 0344 482 5137 / access@delfontmackintosh.co.uk |
| Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff | Free | In person, by phone on 029 2063 6464, webchat, email tickets@wmc.org.uk with Hynt number, or online with Hynt linked to your account |
| Eventim Apollo, London | Free | Access platforms first come first served; seated companions via info@eventimapollo.com |
| Manchester Academy | Unconfirmed | Access Requirements Form to info.su@manchester.ac.uk or 0161 275 2930 |
| O2 Academy Birmingham | Free | Give Access Card name and number when booking, add the companion ticket through Ticketmaster, or submit registration form for a reusable code; collect at venue |
| O2 Academy Bournemouth | Free | Contact the access team first, buy through Ticketmaster, then confirm with the venue; Access Card name and number or registration code accepted |
| O2 Academy Bristol | Free | Contact the venue first, reserve through Ticketmaster, then confirm with the venue; Access Card name and number or registration code accepted |
| O2 Academy Brixton, London | Free | Essential Companion ticket at Ticketmaster checkout |
| O2 Academy Glasgow | Free | Give Access Card name and number when booking, or submit registration form for a reusable code; collect companion ticket at venue |
| O2 Academy Islington, London | Free | Phone 020 7288 4400 (10am-5pm Mon-Fri), email access@o2academyislington.co.uk or Next Generation Text |
| O2 Academy Leeds | Free | Give Access Card name and number when booking, or submit registration form for a reusable code; collect companion ticket at venue |
| O2 Academy Leicester | Free | Give Access Card name and number when booking, or submit registration form for a reusable code; collect companion ticket at venue |
| O2 Academy Liverpool | Free | Give Access Card name and number when booking, or submit registration form for a reusable code; collect companion ticket at venue |
| O2 Academy Oxford | Free | Email access@o2academyoxford.co.uk before buying |
| O2 Academy Sheffield | Free | Give Access Card name and number when booking, or submit registration form for a reusable code; collect companion ticket at venue |
| O2 Apollo Manchester | Free | Email access@o2apollomanchester.co.uk before buying (phone 0161 273 7785, 12pm-4pm Mon-Fri); bookings made elsewhere cannot be amended |
| O2 City Hall Newcastle | Free | Phone 0191 249 6050 (12pm-4pm Mon-Fri) or email access@o2cityhallnewcastle.co.uk |
| O2 Forum Kentish Town, London | Free | Contact access team before buying, by phone (020 3545 5900, 11am-5pm Mon-Fri) or email; registered customers get a code usable at all AMG venues; collect companion ticket on arrival |
| O2 Institute Birmingham | Free | Request the companion ticket when buying on Ticketmaster, then contact the access team (access@o2institutebirmingham.co.uk, 0121 622 8250) |
| O2 Ritz Manchester | Free | Phone 0161 552 6374 (12pm-4pm Mon-Fri) or email access@o2ritzmanchester.co.uk |
| O2 Shepherd's Bush Empire, London | Free | Phone 020 8080 1610 or email access@o2shepherdsbushempire.co.uk (10:30am-5:30pm Mon-Fri) |
| O2 Victoria Warehouse Manchester | Free | Phone 0161 385 3690 (12pm-3pm Mon-Fri) or email access@o2victoriawarehouse.co.uk before buying; wheelchair and accessible seating tickets bought directly on Ticketmaster |
| Roundhouse, London | Free | Roundhouse website (tick access box, then request carer refund) or access@roundhouse.org.uk; not via agents |
| Royal Albert Hall, London | Free | Phone only: dedicated Access Line 020 7070 4410 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm); not available online. Text Relay accepted, or someone can call on your behalf. Access Booking Enquiry Form for a callback outside office hours. Exception: BBC Proms tickets can be booked online at half price using the 'Disabled Customers' price type |
| The Bridgewater Hall, Manchester | Free | Box Office only, not agents |
Built from our venue data, last checked 13 October 2026. How we check.