Can I bring my own food and drink into St Mary's Stadium?

No external food or drinks are allowed inside the stadium unless prior exemption has been granted for medical reasons. Food villages and bars are available on-site.

Is there a bag restriction policy in place for the event?

Yes, bags must be no larger than A4 size. There are no bag drop facilities available at the stadium, and oversized bags will not be permitted entry.

Is St Mary's Stadium a cashless venue?

Yes, St Mary's Stadium is completely cashless. You must bring a card or contactless payment method for all food, drinks, and merchandise.

Take That Southampton 2026

30 May 2026

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Step right up and prepare to be amazed as the legendary pop icons Take That launch their highly anticipated UK stadium tour on the south coast, taking over St Mary’s Stadium for two massive nights, beginning on Friday 29 May 2026. Returning to Southampton for the opening night of The Circus Live Tour 2026, the band is set to resurrect and reimagine one of the most groundbreaking and spectacular live productions in UK pop history.

Originally staged in 2009, this legendary show raised the bar for stadium entertainment with its jaw-dropping creativity, visual feasts, and theatrical ambition. Joined by an incredible supporting lineup of pop royalty, the event transforms the home of Southampton FC into a sensational open-air arena. It is an unmissable evening packed with timeless singalongs, soaring harmonies, and spectacular staging that kicks off the summer music calendar with a massive bang.

Quick Summary: Take That St Mary’s Concert

Take That’s The Circus Live Tour is a stadium-scale concert production bringing high-end theatrical circus elements to a live pop show format. Attendees can pair world-class live entertainment with premium stadium facilities.

Star-Studded Support Lineup: Arrive early to enjoy full supporting sets from global rock-pop giants The Script and legendary 80s pop icon Belinda Carlisle.
Bigger and Bolder Production: Recreating the magic of the iconic 2009 sets, expect an immersive visual experience featuring a magnificent 30-foot-tall mechanical elephant, acrobatics, and fire-breathers.
Extensive Fan Villages: The stadium grounds feature dedicated external catering zones, undercover bars, and specialized lounges opening hours before the main doors.

Event Schedule and Timings

The event day experience at St Mary’s Stadium is designed to keep crowds moving smoothly, with the surrounding festival layout opening hours before the main arena bowl. To plan your evening perfectly, take note of the official core timings:

14:00 (2:00 PM): External Fan Villages, the Pimms Lounge, and the outdoor food hubs officially open. Arrive early to soak up the pre-show atmosphere.
17:00 (5:00 PM): Stadium gates and main turnstiles open for access to the pitch standing areas and spectator stands.
19:00 (7:00 PM): Core concert programming begins, kicking off with the support acts.
22:30 (10:30 PM): Estimated concert finish and grand finale curtain drop.

Local Tip: Security teams will be conducting thorough entry searches at all turnstiles. To speed up your entry into the stadium bowl, avoid bringing a bag unless absolutely essential.

Stadium Facilities, Food, and Drink

As a premier modern venue, St Mary’s Stadium offers an extensive selection of food and drink options across the full footprint, making it easy to grab refreshments before the headlining show.

The Northam Food Village: A massive external catering hub located just outside the Northam stand, featuring a diverse range of street food traders. Dishes include gourmet burgers, artisan pizzas, katsu curry, duck wraps, and churros.
Concourse Bars & Lounges: Chilled beers, ciders, wines, and pre-mixed cocktails are available inside the stadium concourses and at the specialized Kingsland Pimms Lounge.
Dietary Inclusivity: Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free choices are clearly marked across the stalls. If you have severe food allergies, please verify ingredients directly with vendors when ordering.

Local Tip: St Mary’s Stadium operates as a completely cashless venue. Ensure you bring a valid debit card, credit card, or contactless payment method, as cash will not be accepted anywhere inside the site.

Concert Tickets and Bag Policy

Due to the record-breaking demand for the tour opening, standard tickets are completely sold out; however, a limited number of premium packages or verified face-value resales may remain via official platforms.

Strict Bag Restraints: If you must bring a bag, it must be no larger than an A4 sheet of paper. There is no bag drop or storage facility available on-site, and oversized bags will be turned away at the gates.
Prohibited Items: Items like umbrellas, professional cameras, recording equipment, alcohol, glass bottles, air horns, smoke bombs, and loose glitter are strictly banned from entering the stadium.
Age Classifications: To ensure crowd safety, the general admission standing pitch is strictly limited to individuals aged 14 and over. For reserved stadium seating, children over the age of 5 are welcome, but all under-14s must be accompanied by an adult.

How to get to St Mary’s Stadium

The stadium is located at Britannia Road, Southampton, SO14 5FP, and is highly accessible via dedicated public transit systems on concert days.

Official Shuttle Bus: Frequent shuttle buses will run from 14:00 until 23:30 connecting key transport hubs, including Southampton Central Station (Blechynden Terrace) and the Town Quay Red Jet Terminal. Tickets are priced at £5 return.
Park & Ride Service: A dedicated event park and ride scheme operates directly from the Adanac Health & Innovation Campus, bypassing central city traffic.
Taxi Ranks: The primary drop-off and collection points for local taxis and private hire vehicles will be situated along Chapel Road.

Where to Park

There is completely zero public parking available on-site at St Mary’s Stadium or on the immediately surrounding residential streets due to strict event-day road closures.

City Centre Multi-Storeys: Drivers are advised to utilize central municipal parking facilities, such as the Westquay or Marlands multi-storeys, and complete the final leg to the stadium on foot.
Accessibility Parking: A dedicated accessible drop-off and pick-up point will operate on Melbourne Street from 14:00. A valid Blue Badge must be clearly displayed to gain access to this zone.

Local Tip: Following the concert, strict post-event road closures will be in place around Melbourne Street. If you are being collected from the accessible zone, your driver must be in position by 22:00 and will not be permitted to leave until at least 23:00 for pedestrian safety.

Relive the Greatest Show on Earth

Get ready for an extraordinary night of pop history as the stadium tour kicks off on the south coast. Discover what’s on in Southampton and check for verified resale tickets today.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens if it rains on the night of the concert?: St Mary’s Stadium is an open-air football venue, meaning the concert will proceed uninterrupted in the event of rain. Please check the weather forecast beforehand and wear appropriate outdoor clothing. Note that umbrellas are strictly prohibited inside the stadium as they block views of the stage.
Can I bring my own food and drink into St Mary’s Stadium?: No, external food and beverages are not permitted inside the stadium footprint. Prior exemptions are only granted for verified medical reasons. Fortunately, a massive external food village and multiple concourse bars will be open from 14:00 serving a wide variety of meals and drinks.
Is there a bag restriction policy in place for the event?: Yes, to ensure smooth entry, security teams strongly encourage fans not to bring a bag. If you must bring one, it must be no larger than an A4 sheet of paper. There is completely zero bag drop or storage facilities on-site, and oversized bags will be rejected at the turnstiles.
Are children allowed to attend the Take That concert?: Yes, but age restrictions depend on your ticket type. The general admission pitch standing areas are strictly limited to individuals aged 14 and over. For reserved stadium seating, children aged 5 and over are welcome, though any young people under 14 must be accompanied by an adult.
How do I pay for drinks and merchandise inside the stadium?: St Mary’s Stadium operates as a completely cashless venue across all retail spaces, merchandise hubs, concourse bars, and food village vendors. Please ensure you bring a valid debit card, credit card, or digital contactless payment method with you.