We’re committed to ensuring an inclusive and enjoyable experience for all fans entering FirstOntario Concert Hall and The Studio.

Please note that all seating areas at FirstOntario Concert Hall require the use of stairs, with the exception of the mezzanine. 

Accessible washroom facilities and select amenities are available within the venue. As accessibility may vary by location, guests with specific accessibility needs or questions are encouraged to connect with our team in advance so we can help make their visit as comfortable and seamless as possible.

Please visit our accessibility page here for more information or reach out to us at fanservices@firstontarioconcerthall.ca before your event with questions or concerns so we can ensure your visit is as smooth as possible.

Children under 13 years of age must be accompanied by someone 16 years of age or older when entering FirstOntario Concert Hall. Children under the age of two years old, do not require a ticket (unless otherwise stated) but must sit on a guardian’s lap. Please check the show information on Ticketmaster and the event page on our website to get specific ticketing details for children.

• Alcohol can be purchased at most FirstOntario Concert Hall and The Studio events to those 19 years and older, and everyone may be required to show proof of age.
• No alcohol will be allowed to be brought in or out of the venue.
• Any person appearing to be intoxicated before entering FirstOntario Concert Hall and The Studio may be denied entry at the discretion of security and/or event staff. Any guest found intoxicated within the venue or causing disturbance, as determined by security, management, or event staff, will be asked to leave the venue without a refund.
• There is a limit of two alcoholic beverages per purchase at both FirstOntario Concert Hall and The Studio.

For the safety of our guests, only small clutches, belt bags or fanny-pack type bags are permitted and will be subject to visual inspection.

The maximum allowable bag size is 8” x 6” x 8” (20cm x 15cm x 20cm), including purses.  NO BACKPACKS WILL BE PERMITTED. Exceptions can be made for medically necessary items and diaper bags after security screening. We strongly encourage fans to leave all types of bags at home.

May be worth adding FOCH & The Studio are cashless venues. Interac Debit, Visa, and Mastercard will be accepted at all points of sale.

Items that have been found during an event can be turned in to any member of the event staff or at the Guest Relations desk.

If you lost an item at an event at either FirstOntario Concert Hall or The Studio, please call Building Security at 905-546-3044 to inquire about your lost item.

After 30 days, items may be donated to non-profit charity organizations or disposed of at the discretion of the Guest Services Manager.

Outside food and beverage is not permitted to enter FirstOntario Concert Hall or The Studio. Please contact a Guest Services Manager at 905-546-3100 or an event staff upon entry if you have any dietary or medical concerns.

Camera and recording policies may vary by event and are determined by the tour or artist. Unless otherwise stated, the following standard policy applies at FirstOntario Concert Hall and The Studio:

• No professional video or audio recording
• No professional cameras or cameras with detachable/interchangeable lenses
• No iPads or tablets

Personal, non-professional cameras and mobile phones may be permitted, subject to the event’s specific policy.

Please note: Event-specific restrictions may include no photography, no flash photography, or additional limitations. These policies may not be confirmed until the day of the event and always supersede the venue’s standard policy.

For questions, please contact us at 905-546-3100 or speak with a Guest Services team member upon arrival.

or the safety and enjoyment of all guests, the following items are not permitted at FirstOntario Concert Hall or The Studio:

• Aerosol cans
• Alcohol, illegal drugs or drug paraphernalia
• Animals, except certified service animals
• Artificial noisemakers, including air horns
• Backpacks of any size. Exceptions may be made for medically necessary items and diaper bags following security screening
• Bags larger than 8" x 6" x 8" (20 cm x 15 cm x 20 cm)
• Beach balls, helium balloons and other inflatables
• Glass, plastic or metal containers
• Lasers and laser pointers
• Outside food and beverages
• Parcels, packages or other items with contents that cannot be easily inspected
• Professional cameras and video or audio recording equipment
• Skateboards, rollerblades and roller shoes
• Sticks or clubs, including selfie sticks and signs or banners attached to sticks
• Weapons, chains, spikes and pocket knives
• Gang insignia, signs or hate-based symbols

Additional Guidelines

Objects may not be thrown or tossed anywhere within the venues. Shirts and shoes must be worn at all times. Clothing displaying profanity may be required to be covered or removed at management’s discretion. Banners are subject to management approval.

Venue management reserves the right to prohibit any item considered a safety risk or disruptive to the experience of other guests.

Please note: This list is subject to change without notice based on venue, artist or tour requirements.

Please note that FirstOntario Concert Hall and The Studio have a strict no re-entry policy. Once you have entered the venue, in-and-out privileges are not permitted. Guests who exit the facility for any reason — including to smoke will not be allowed back inside.

All persons entering FirstOntario Concert Hall and The Studio are subject to search. This can include patdowns, bag searches, and/or wand checks.

All patdowns are performed by trained security personnel. The level of searching required is dictated by the show and may vary. 

For the safety of our guests, only small clutches, belt bags or fanny-pack type bags are permitted and will be subject to visual inspection.

The maximum allowable bag size is 8” x 6” x 8” (20cm x 15cm x 20cm), including purses.  NO BACKPACKS WILL BE PERMITTED. Exceptions can be made for medically necessary items and diaper bags after security screening. We strongly encourage fans to leave all types of bags at home.

Intentional and excessive disruptions to a show by guests will result in immediate removal from the venue and may result in charges being pressed.

FirstOntario Concert Hall and The Studio are smoke-free buildings, including all restaurant/bar areas and suites.  We are committed to the health and safety of our employees and our patrons.

Please note: 

• The use of electronic cigarettes is also prohibited within the buildings
• Anyone found smoking inside FirstOntario Concert Hall and The Studio building will be ejected and may be subject to the maximum fines as per Ontario’s Smoke-Free Act

Box Office

The FirstOntario Concert Hall and The Studio Box Office is located at the main lobby entrance of FirstOntario Concert Hall at 1 Summers Lane. The same Box Office serves events at both venues.

For FirstOntario Concert Hall events, the Box Office opens three hours prior to the start of the event. For The Studio events, the Box Office opens two hours prior to the start of the event. Day-of-show ticket sales and Will Call services are available for that day’s performance only.

Guests without access to a mobile device should contact the Box Office in advance to arrange Will Call ticket pickup. Please bring a valid photo ID and the credit card used for purchase.

For ticketing assistance, contact ticketing@firstontarioconcerthall.ca.

Getting to FirstOntario Concert Hall is easy with GO Transit! Whether you're arriving by train at West Harbour GO Station on the Lakeshore West line or by train or bus at Hamilton GO Centre, both stations are conveniently located within walking distance of the venue. From West Harbour GO, enjoy a scenic 10–15 minute walk along James Street North. From Hamilton GO Centre, it's approximately a 10-minute walk to the venue via Main Street and Summers Lane. Prefer not to walk? Several HSR bus routes stop within a short walk of FirstOntario Concert Hall along Main Street, King Street, MacNab Street, and Bay Street, providing convenient service from across Hamilton.With convenient GO Train and GO Bus service, getting to and from the venue is simple. Plan your trip at gotransit.com.

For more information about Directions and Parking visit here.

Events and happenings at any one of our FirstOntario Concert Hall and The Studio are photographed and videotaped for future promotional use by employees of Oak View Group (OVG) to be used in print, television, radio, etc. Events are photographed and videotaped to be used by OVG employees in real-time on social media sites, FirstOntarioConcertHall.ca, reports, and other publications. Please note when entering the building you may be photographed or videotaped.