Bolt becomes the exclusive ride-hailing partner of 16 UK live music and entertainment venues

Bolt will become the exclusive ride-hailing partner of 16 beloved music and live entertainment venues operated by Academy Music Group (AMG) and Live Nation nationwide from today - including London’s O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire and O2 Academy Brixton, Edinburgh Corn Exchange and Utilita Arena Cardiff.

The partnership will provide more fans across the UK with a convenient way to get home after a night out and experience some of the country's most iconic live music venues.

It comes as research from both AMG and Bolt highlights how important travel is to a night out. AMG's own fan research, drawn from Live Nation UK’s Venue Measurement surveys conducted across 2024 and 2025, found that three quarters of fans travel up to 49 miles to attend a show, while 42% use private cars to get there.

The partnership follows Bolt’s Last Orders campaign, which highlighted the vital role of transport in the UK’s night time economy and the importance of safe, reliable journeys home. With more than 1 in 4 UK Bolt trips taking place between 6pm and 6am, the night-time economy is a core part of how Bolt operates across Britain.

Separate polling commissioned by Bolt highlights the opportunity to help younger people enjoy more nights out. More than half (57%) of 18-24 year olds and 49% of 25-34 year olds said they would go out more often if getting home were easier, compared with 31% of adults nationally.

The partnership is focused particularly on helping fans travel home with confidence at the end of the night, providing an additional convenient option as people leave venues at the same time.

To mark the launch, Bolt will offer first-time riders discounts on their first three rides, alongside a competition hosted on the Instagram page where fans can win gig tickets to a show of their choice at a selected O2 Academy venue, plus £100 in Bolt ride credits to get there.

Katie Mack, Head of Partnerships at Academy Music Group, said: "Millions of fans make their journeys to O2 Academy venues every year, across the breadth of the UK to see the shows they love. Getting home safely and easily is just as much a part of that experience as the gig itself - and by partnering with Bolt across our venues, we're giving fans even more ways to get to and from the nights that matter most."

Kimberly Hurd, Senior General Manager at Bolt, said: "A great night out should feel seamless from the first song to the journey home. Getting home is part of the decision to go out in the first place. By partnering with Academy Music Group, we’re giving fans a convenient way home and supporting the venues that bring people together.“

The partnership covers travel to and from:

O2 Apollo Manchester, O2 Academy Birmingham, O2 Academy Bristol, O2 Academy Brixton, Edinburgh Corn Exchange, O2 Forum Kentish Town, O2 Institute Birmingham, O2 Academy Islington, O2 Academy Leicester, O2 Academy Liverpool, O2 City Hall Newcastle, O2 Ritz Manchester, O2 Shepherd's Bush Empire, O2 Guildhall Southampton, O2 Victoria Warehouse Manchester and Cardiff International Arena, trading as Utilita Arena Cardiff.