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Families at the BJCC

Your Family's Guide to a Safe and Enjoyable Visit at the BJCC
Frequently Asked Questions

At the BJCC, we prioritize the safety, comfort, and satisfaction of our guests. Our goal is to create a welcoming and accessible environment that ensures you and your family have an enjoyable experience. Please review our list of frequently asked questions and security policies beforehand to become familiar with the procedures and make the most out of your time on our campus.

All BJCC FAQs can be found here.

Common Questions

Bags will be checked at entry point security screenings.

Exceptions to the Clear Bag Policy will only be made for medically necessary items after proper inspection by security personnel. Medical bags or special medical equipment can be screened at any gate entrance. Guests that have these items should identify their needs to the security personnel working the metal detectors, who will check the bag and tag it as a medical-approved bag.

The Clear Bag Policy does not apply to events with the Birmingham Children’s Theatre.

Diaper bags must be clear and meet our bag policy specifications. Baby and infant care items (bottled formula, small snacks) are allowed in the clear diaper bag but must have a child accompanied.

Arena & Stadium

Strollers are NOT permitted. Car seats are permitted entry but should not in any way inhibit guest movement or block any seats/aisles.

Concert Hall

Strollers are NOT permitted. Car seats are permitted entry but should not in any way inhibit guest movement or block any seats/aisles.

Expo Halls

Strollers are NOT permitted. Car seats are permitted entry but should not in any way inhibit guest movement or block any seats/aisles.

Children who have celebrated their 2nd birthday are required to have a ticket.

For show-specific age restrictions that may supersede our standard policy listed above, please check your event on the Events page.

Legacy Arena

Nearly every restroom contains a baby changing station, including men’s, women’s, and family restrooms.

BJCC Concert Hall

Family restrooms are available by Portal 1. Baby Changing stations are in select restrooms located throughout the Concert Hall.

Exhibition Halls

Family restrooms and baby changing stations are located in select areas throughout the Exhibition Halls.

Protective Stadium

Nearly every restroom contains a baby changing station, including men’s, women’s, and family restrooms.

BJCC Theatre

Family restrooms and baby changing stations are located in select areas throughout the Theatre.

For your privacy and convenience, Nursing Mother’s Rooms are located throughout our venues.

  • Protective Stadium: Located in the Northeast Corner of the Concourse by the KultureCity Sensory Room.
  • Legacy Arena: Located on the main concourse behind seating sections 129/130.
  • Concert Hall: Located in First Aid in the main entrance lobby.
  • Theatre: Located in the main entrance lobby.
  • Exhibition Hall: Varies per event. Please ask any nearby event staff member for assistance in locating the designated Nursing Mothers Room.
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The BJCC is Sensory Inclusive™ certified and has partnered with KultureCity to improve our ability to assist and accommodate guests with sensory needs. Our objective is to provide an inclusive and seamless experience for all guests for all events, including those with sensory needs. We strive to raise awareness of the needs and challenges faced by individuals with sensory processing disorders by supplying our team members with continuous training and by offering the resources and accommodations below to our guests.

All our facilities, including Protective Stadium, Legacy Arena, and the BJCC Concert Hall, are certified.

Sensory Rooms

Protective Stadium and Legacy Arena are both equipped with KultureCity Sensory Rooms available for guests with sensory processing needs and provide an inclusive and comfortable space that is equipped with dim lighting and a range of multisensory products. Our sensory rooms are open to all guests with sensory sensitivities and are open for all events from the time doors open through the end of the event. Children using the sensory room must be accompanied by an adult.

The KultureCity Sensory Room at Protective Stadium is located on the concourse by the Northeast gate entrance, and at Legacy Arena is located on the concourse behind seating section 127.

On event day, please contact any Guest Services team member with questions or assistance navigating to the sensory room. Access to the Sensory Room may be limited given certain circumstances (e.g., guests with extraordinary needs, demand, etc.).

Sensory Kits

Sensory bags are available for guests to check out at our Guest Services locations inside Protective Stadium, Legacy Arena, and the Concert Hall at no cost. Sensory bags include a VIP lanyard for guest recognition, fidget tools, noise-reducing headphones, and a visual cue card. A writable weighted lap pad with markers is also available as needed.

If you have any questions prior to the event day, please email GuestServices@bjcc.org.

Specific age limits and recommendations can be found in your event’s information on our Upcoming Events page. If no age limit or recommendation is listed, it is up to the parent or guardian to determine their child’s level of maturity. Children are welcome at all events unless otherwise stated.

We welcome you and your family to dance, cheer, sing along, and have fun at your upcoming event! You’re allowed to be a kid at family shows at the BJCC! If your little one needs a break from all the excitement, you’re welcome to bring your child in the lobby / concourse area of your venue, or check out a KultureCity sensory inclusive bag. KultureCity sensory rooms are available for use at Legacy Arena and Protective Stadium.

See our Directions and Parking page for parking and entry maps.

BJCC parking lots are cashless – credit cards only.

No. The BJCC is a cashless operation, including all concessions, merchandise, and parking. Cash will not be accepted as a form of payment at any parking, retail, or concession location within venues. The BJCC accepts MasterCard, Visa, American Express and Discover credit/debit cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Tap to Pay.

At select events, we offer the opportunity to purchase pre-loaded debit cards with cash. Contact Guest Services for more information.

guestservices@bjcc.org
(205) 458-8400

A-Z Family Guide

Parking

ADA parking spaces are available in all parking lots and garages throughout the BJCC complex (except Gold lot). ADA parking spaces are for sale on a first-come, first-served basis. Vehicles that park in the designated accessible parking spaces must display either the temporary hang tag or a permanent state license plate with the accessible parking notations.

Seating

ADA and wheelchair-accessible seating is available throughout our venues and can be purchased on Ticketmaster.com. Guests requiring accessible seating are guaranteed the ability to purchase at least one (1) companion seat. Subject to availability, guests requiring wheelchair seating may purchase up to a total of three (3) companion seats in the same row and contiguous with the wheelchair seat. If contiguous seats have already been sold, seats as close as possible to the wheelchair seat and adjacent companion seat will be offered.  

If you purchased a ticket in the fixed seating area but require an ADA seat, the Ticket Office may be able to assist you by relocating your ticket to an ADA seat. All relocations are provided on a first-come, first-served basis and are not guaranteed. Please contact the Ticket Office at CTO@bjcc.org if you have any questions or require assistance purchasing tickets. Tickets are subject to availability.

Accessible Venue EntrancesConcert Hall

Accessible entrances are located at the main Concert Hall entrance, off the piazza/courtyard, and at the 11th Avenue Parking entrance. An entry ramp is located at the 11th Avenue Parking entrance. Drivers may also drop off or pick up guests with mobility issues at the 11th Avenue entrance.

Legacy Arena

Entry A, Entry A2, and Entry B are all accessible entrances into Legacy Arena. There are entry ramps located specifically at Entry A2 and Entry B. In an effort to help guests enter the closest gate to their ticketed seats, please see below for the recommended gate entrances for each seating section:

  • Entry A: Seating Sections – 104-127 & Floor Seating (Lower Bowl) & 204-232 (Upper Bowl)
  • Entry A2: Exclusive entrance only for suite guests and credentialed media
  • Entry B: Seating Sections – 105-115 (Lower Bowl) & 205-215 (Upper Bowl)
  • Entry B2: Exclusive entrance only for Arena Club pass holders (opens 30 minutes prior to other entrances)
  • Entry C (This entry is opened on a show-by-show basis, so please check your specific event page for details prior to arriving): Seating Sections – 116-126 (Lower Bowl) & 216-226 (Upper Bowl)
Exhibition Halls

East Expo Halls: Accessible entrances for the Exhibit Halls and Ballrooms are located on the ground level of the East Exhibition Hall. Elevators are located on the ground level for access to the 2nd-floor main lobby. If accessing the East Building on the 2nd floor from the Hotel/Forum Building skywalk, a ramp is available, in addition to an elevator and escalators for access to all floors. Drivers may drop off or pick up passengers with a mobility issue off Richard Arrington Jr. Blvd in front of the building.

North Expo Halls: The main entrances to the North Exhibition Hall and the North Meeting Rooms are accessible to all guests. The entrance to the North Meeting Rooms is located on the ground level, adjacent to the North Exhibition Hall. Meeting room elevators lie just inside the entrance. Elevators in the North Exhibit Hall are located beside the concession stand. A ramp leading from the main floor is available to access the lounge area.

Protective Stadium

All gates at Protective Stadium are ADA-accessible. In an effort to help guests enter the closest gate to their ticketed seats, please see below for the recommended gate entrances for each seating section:

  • South Gate: Seating Sections – 112-123, 219-223
  • Northwest Gate: Seating Sections – 104-111, 137-146, 207-210, 240-243
  • Northeast Gate: Seating Sections – 124-136, 224-231
  • Suite Tower Entrance: Exclusive entrance only for Suites and Stadium Club guests
BJCC Theatre

The main entrance located off the courtyard/piazza is an accessible entrance into the BJCC Theatre. Drivers may drop off or pick up passengers with mobility issues at the 19th St N. circle (Please Note: this is not a parking location).

Service Animals

The BJCC welcomes certified, leashed service animals in accordance with ADA Title II and III Law. If you plan on bringing a service animal into a BJCC venue, we recommend contacting our Guest Services Department in advance at GuestServices@bjcc.org.

Trained emergency medical technicians (EMT) personnel are available to assist any guest in need at every event at the BJCC. Guests that require medical assistance are encouraged to contact any nearby Team Member or Security Personnel.

In addition, the BJCC is equipped with Automatic External Defibrillators (AED) located in various locations throughout the facility. Designated employees, including our EMT staff, have been properly trained and certified to use the AED.

Guest Services are located at each venue. Guest Services can assist guests with lost & found items, reuniting parents and children, guest feedback, complex directions, and general information.

Guests requiring interpreting services may request accommodations by contacting GuestServices@bjcc.org at least 30 days prior to the scheduled event. Interpretive services cannot be guaranteed for every event; however, we will make every effort to accommodate each request with appropriate advance notice.

If you find an item while attending a game/event, please give it to any event team member or drop it off at any Guest Services location.

For lost and found information during an event, guests should visit Guest Services located in the venue. After the conclusion of an event, guests can inquire about lost items by filing a claim on either the Protective Stadium Lost & Found page or the BJCC Lost & Found page.

Once a lost and found form is submitted, please allow one (1) business day for a response. Guests will only receive an email if the missing item is found.

The BJCC is not responsible for lost or damaged items.

Please alert an Event Staff member and/or Guest Services if you are lost or have lost a child.

Medical bags or special medical equipment can be screened at any venue entrance. Guests that have these items should identify their needs to the security personnel working the metal detectors. They will check the bag and tag it as a medical-approved bag.

Please alert an Event Staff member, Guest Services member, or medical staff member for emergency medical needs.

See our Plan Your Visit page for parking and entry maps.

BJCC parking lots are cashless – credit cards only.

Numerous restrooms are located throughout the BJCC complex, all of which are accessible to our guests.

Protective Stadium & Legacy Arena

Men’s, Women’s, and Family Restrooms are located throughout the concourse. All restrooms are ADA accessible, and nearly all are equipped with a baby-changing table. Please ask any staff member for directions to the closest restroom.

Concert Hall

Restrooms are located off the main lobby at Portal 1 and Portal 7, and a family restroom is located at Portal 1 on the main floor.

Expo Halls

All of the Exhibition Halls, Ballrooms, and Meeting Rooms restrooms are accessible to guests. Restrooms for the East Exhibit Halls are located on the 2nd-floor main lobby area. Restrooms for the East Ballrooms are located on the ground-floor lobby area, and the East Meeting Rooms are located in the 3rd-floor main lobby area.

The North and South Exhibition Hall restrooms are located on the main level, and the restrooms for the North Meeting Rooms are located in the 2nd-floor lobby.

Theatre

All of the Theatre’s restrooms are accessible to guests.  Restrooms and water fountains are available on the main lobby level.

Wheelchair inventory is limited for patient transport in emergency responses. Guests requiring mobility assistance should make arrangements to provide their own wheelchairs.

To assist guests with accessing mobile tickets, Wi-Fi is available at all venue entrances. When arriving near the entrances, connect to “MOBILE-Tickets” on your smartphone and then enter your email address to authenticate. We strongly suggest downloading your tickets prior to arriving on the event day.

Once inside, Legacy Arena also offers free public WiFi – simply enter your email and connect to network “Legacy-Arena.”

Uptown Offers a Taste for Families

No meal is complete without dessert…

K&J’s Elegant Pastries

K&J’s Elegant Pastries is a cake shop specializing in custom cakes for all occasions and many other sweet treats such as cupcakes, pastries, cookies, and more–while creating delicious memories!

Taco-tainment for the family…

Uptown Cantina

At Uptown Cantina, the flavors of Mexico and Fresh-Mex are expressed through fresh ingredients and expressive twists on traditional favorites.

For a taste of Alabama hospitality…

The Southern Kitchen & Bar

The Southern Kitchen & Bar offers a casually chic atmosphere, live entertainment, and the hospitality of a true Southern gem. It exudes a casual sophistication that enables all guests to feel at home.

Something for the whole family…

Mugshots Grill & Bar

At Mugshots Grill & Bar, you can sink your teeth into award-winning burgers, enjoy great drinks, and spend quality time with family and friends!

For your morning cup of joe…

Santos Coffee

Santos Coffee serves locally sourced Guatemalan coffee from family farms and roasts in Alabama. As a friendly, modern coffee shop, it’s ideal for meeting friends or hunkering down with your laptop.

Luxury Hotels With Connections to the BJCC

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Sheraton Birmingham Hotel

The Sheraton Birmingham Hotel offers spacious, renovated guest rooms, thoughtful amenities, and modern convenience. These hotel rooms and suites provide ample natural light, high-speed Wi-Fi, and the Sheraton Signature Sleep Experience. Boasting a direct connection to the BJCC, this pet-friendly hotel showcases over 385,000 square feet of versatile event and meeting room space.

The Westin Birmingham

The Westin Birmingham is a modern, pet-friendly hotel with a rooftop pool, fitness center, on-site parking, ample meeting space, and more. Treat yourself to a stylish break at the Westin Birmingham, with state-of-the-art media offerings, Heavenly® Beds, and stunning views of downtown Birmingham. This hotel is in the heart of the Uptown Entertainment District and is directly connected to the BJCC.

Know Before You Go

Upcoming Family Events

Don’t miss out on our upcoming events at the BJCC! From concerts and shows to conventions and sporting events, we have something for everyone. Book your tickets now and experience the best entertainment in Alabama!

Upcoming family events can be found under the Family event category at the link below.

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