Royal Ballet and Opera

Royal Ballet and Opera

Bow Street, London WC2E 9DD

Getting here

Closest Tube Station

Covent Garden

Closest Train Station

Charing Cross

About Royal Ballet and Opera

Royal Ballet and Opera is London’s world‑renowned home for opera, ballet and orchestral performance, recently rebranded from the Royal Opera House to better reflect the prominence of both The Royal Ballet and The Royal Opera within one united organisation.

This iconic venue sits in the heart of Covent Garden, West End, and presents a thrilling programme of classical opera, breathtaking ballet productions, dance and live music throughout the year. The venue’s cultural heritage, striking architecture and central London location make it a must‑visit destination for arts lovers from around the UK and beyond.

History of Royal Ballet and Opera

Originally opened as the Theatre Royal, Covent Garden in 1732, the building became the official home of Covent Garden’s opera and ballet companies. Over time it established a reputation as one of the most prestigious performing arts venues in the world.

The current structure on Bow Street dates from the mid‑19th century after earlier buildings were lost to fire, and was comprehensively restored and modernised in the 1990s to support contemporary productions and audience experiences. Today, its main auditorium seats over 2,250 people across multiple tiers, combining historic grandeur with state‑of‑the‑art production facilities.

Where is the Royal Ballet and Opera?

Bow Street, Covent Garden, London, WC2E 9DD. Located in the vibrant West End theatre district, the venue sits on the famous Covent Garden Piazza — a lively area filled with shops, restaurants and street performers that enrich the visitor experience.

Nearest Underground & Train Stations

  • Covent Garden Underground Station (Piccadilly Line) — a short walk from the venue.
  • Leicester Square and Holborn stations are also within ~8–10 minutes’ walk and offer alternative tube access.
  • Charing Cross and other mainline stations are within walking distance, providing rail links from across London and beyond.

Buses to Royal Ballet and Opera

Several daytime and night‑time London buses stop near Covent Garden Piazza and Aldwych, including routes 1, 4, 6, 9, 11, 13, 23, 68, 76, 91, 168, 171, 176, 188 and more, making public transport a convenient option for audiences.

Accessibility at Royal Ballet and Opera

The venue is committed to accessibility for all visitors, offering step‑free access from multiple entrances on Bow Street and Covent Garden Piazza, lifts and ramps to front‑of‑house spaces, and designated wheelchair spaces within performance areas. An Access Scheme provides tailored support, companion tickets and assistive services such as audio descriptions and British Sign Language interpreted performances. Assistance dogs are welcome.

Dress Code and Visitor Experience

There is no formal dress code, although smart casual attire is commonly chosen by guests attending performances. Inside, visitors can enjoy bars, restaurants and a café for pre‑show meals, intervals and post‑performance drinks. A ground‑floor shop offers curated merchandise inspired by the art form and venue heritage.

Safety at Royal Ballet and Opera

For patron safety, security checks including bag inspections may take place at entrances. Visitors are advised to arrive early and follow venue guidance to maintain a comfortable and secure environment for all.

Royal Ballet and Opera Seating Plan

Rigoletto is the current production at Royal Ballet and Opera. The upcoming booking period for Rigoletto at Royal Ballet and Opera starts 25/03/2026 00:00:00 and runs until 23/04/2026 19:30:00. Tickets for Rigoletto start at £56 and are available to book now.

Boris Godunov is the current production at Royal Ballet and Opera. The latest booking period for Boris Godunov at Royal Ballet and Opera started 29/01/2026 00:00:00 and runs until 12/02/2026 19:30:00. Tickets for Boris Godunov start at £174 and are available to book now.

Mayerling is the current production at Royal Ballet and Opera. The upcoming booking period for Mayerling at Royal Ballet and Opera starts 30/03/2026 00:00:00 and runs until 18/05/2026 19:30:00. Tickets for Mayerling start at £43 and are available to book now.

I Puritani is the current production at Royal Ballet and Opera. The upcoming booking period for I Puritani at Royal Ballet and Opera starts 30/06/2026 00:00:00 and runs until 19/07/2026 15:00:00. Tickets for I Puritani start at £56 and are available to book now.

Giselle is the current production at Royal Ballet and Opera. The upcoming booking period for Giselle at Royal Ballet and Opera starts 14/02/2026 00:00:00 and runs until 20/03/2026 19:30:00. Tickets for Giselle start at £91 and are available to book now.

La Fille mal gardee is the current production at Royal Ballet and Opera. The upcoming booking period for La Fille mal gardee at Royal Ballet and Opera starts 23/05/2026 00:00:00 and runs until 09/06/2026 19:30:00. Tickets for La Fille mal gardee start at £43 and are available to book now.

La Fille du regiment is the current production at Royal Ballet and Opera. The upcoming booking period for La Fille du regiment at Royal Ballet and Opera starts 07/07/2026 00:00:00 and runs until 24/07/2026 19:30:00. Tickets for La Fille du regiment start at £50 and are available to book now.

Woolf Works is the current production at Royal Ballet and Opera.

La boheme is the current production at Royal Ballet and Opera. The latest booking period for La boheme at Royal Ballet and Opera started 13/01/2026 00:00:00 and runs until 25/07/2026 19:30:00. Tickets for La boheme start at £56 and are available to book now.

Wayne McGregor: Alchemies is the current production at Royal Ballet and Opera. The upcoming booking period for Wayne McGregor: Alchemies at Royal Ballet and Opera starts 18/04/2026 00:00:00 and runs until 06/05/2026 19:30:00. Tickets for Wayne McGregor: Alchemies start at £27 and are available to book now.

Samson et Dalila is the current production at Royal Ballet and Opera. The upcoming booking period for Samson et Dalila at Royal Ballet and Opera starts 13/05/2026 00:00:00 and runs until 03/06/2026 19:30:00. Tickets for Samson et Dalila start at £50 and are available to book now.

Royal Ballet and Opera is located in London. The full address is Royal Ballet and Opera, Bow Street, London WC2E 9DD.

Yes, you can wear jeans to The Royal Opera House. Like most modern theatres, the Royal Opera House doesn't have a formal dress code. So wear what you feel comfortable in.

Tall Seats refer to the seats in the back row of the Balcony. The Balcony is the section at the top of the theatre. 

The majority of theatregoers regard the centre of the Grand Tier, specifically rows A-C, as the best seats.  This level offers a great view of the stage without being too far back, and is considered the most desirable section for an optimal viewing experience. Of course, everyone's tastes and preferences are different.