Royal Opera House

Royal Opera House

Bow Street, London WC2E 9DD

Getting here

Closest Tube Station

Covent Garden

Closest Train Station

Charing Cross

The Royal Opera House is a monumental venue, offering some of the world’s finest operatic experiences, right in the heart of London. Known for its stunning productions and rich history, it is a must-visit for any opera enthusiast. As a cornerstone of the cultural scene, it’s the perfect gateway to explore the vibrant offerings of London opera, showcasing a blend of traditional and contemporary works.

It is the home of The Royal Opera, The Royal Ballet and the Orchestra of the Royal Opera House. Originally called the Theatre Royal, it served primarily as a playhouse for the first hundred years of its history. In 1734, the first ballet was presented. A year later Handel's first season of operas began. Many of his operas and oratorios were specifically written for Covent Garden and had their premieres there.

The current building is the third theatre on the site following disastrous fires in 1808 and 1857. The façade, foyer and auditorium date from 1858, but almost every other element of the present complex dates from an extensive reconstruction in the 1990s. The Royal Opera House seats 2,268 people and consists of four tiers of boxes and balconies and the amphitheatre gallery. The proscenium is 12.20 m wide and 14.80 m high. The main auditorium is a Grade 1 listed building.

Royal Opera House Seating Plan

Faust is the current production at Royal Opera House. The last booking period for Faust at Royal Opera House started 23/05/2025 18:45:00 and ended 10/06/2025 19:00:00.

Onegin is the current production at Royal Opera House.

Semele is the current production at Royal Opera House. The last booking period for Semele at Royal Opera House started 30/06/2025 18:30:00 and ended 18/07/2025 19:00:00.

Il Trovatore is the current production at Royal Opera House. The last booking period for Il Trovatore at Royal Opera House started 08/07/2025 19:00:00 and ended 19/07/2025 19:30:00.

La boheme is the current production at Royal Opera House. The latest booking period for La boheme at Royal Opera House 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 Opera House. The upcoming booking period for Wayne McGregor: Alchemies at Royal Opera House 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.

Mayerling is the current production at Royal Opera House. The upcoming booking period for Mayerling at Royal Opera House 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.

Boris Godunov is the current production at Royal Opera House. The latest booking period for Boris Godunov at Royal Opera House started 29/01/2026 00:00:00 and runs until 18/02/2026 19:30:00. Tickets for Boris Godunov start at £230 and are available to book now.

La Fille mal gardee is the current production at Royal Opera House. The upcoming booking period for La Fille mal gardee at Royal Opera House 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.

Woolf Works is the current production at Royal Opera House. The latest booking period for Woolf Works at Royal Opera House started 17/01/2026 00:00:00 and runs until 07/02/2026 19:00:00. Tickets for Woolf Works start at £155 and are available to book now.

Samson et Dalila is the current production at Royal Opera House. The upcoming booking period for Samson et Dalila at Royal Opera House 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.

I Puritani is the current production at Royal Opera House. The upcoming booking period for I Puritani at Royal Opera House 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 Opera House. The upcoming booking period for Giselle at Royal Opera House starts 14/02/2026 00:00:00 and runs until 18/03/2026 19:30:00. Tickets for Giselle start at £66 and are available to book now.

Rigoletto is the current production at Royal Opera House. The upcoming booking period for Rigoletto at Royal Opera House 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.

La Fille du regiment is the current production at Royal Opera House. The upcoming booking period for La Fille du regiment at Royal Opera House 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.

Royal Opera House is located in London. The full address is Royal Opera House, 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.

Faust thumbnail

Opera

Faust

A deal with the devil. What could go wrong?

From £242
Onegin thumbnail

Dance

Onegin

A bittersweet ballet of first love and regret

Price TBC
Semele thumbnail

Opera

Semele

Experience Handel’s opera of desire and destruction

From £100
Il Trovatore thumbnail

Opera

Il Trovatore

A devastating curse

From £55
La boheme thumbnail

Opera

La boheme

4.3(57)

Puccini’s famous love story returns to the Royal Opera House

From £56
Wayne McGregor: Alchemies  thumbnail

Dance

Wayne McGregor: Alchemies

Opens 18 April 2026

An evening celebrating the boundless imagination of one creative mind

From £27
Mayerling thumbnail

Dance

Mayerling

Opens 30 March 2026

All-consuming passion becomes a royal scandal in Mayerling

From £43
Boris Godunov thumbnail

Opera

Boris Godunov

Richard Jones’ acclaimed staging of Mussorgsky’s awe-inspiring opera returns

From £230
La Fille mal gardee  thumbnail

Dance

La Fille mal gardee

Opens 23 May 2026

Experience La Fille mal gardee, a ballet of pure sunshine

From £43
Woolf Works thumbnail

Dance

Woolf Works

Echoes, memories, words... Woolf Works returns to the Royal Ballet & Opera House

From £155
Samson et Dalila thumbnail

Opera

Samson et Dalila

Opens 13 May 2026

When Samson falls in love with Dalila, his strength is put to the test

From £50
I Puritani  thumbnail

Opera

I Puritani

Opens 30 June 2026

A couple's faith is tested in Richard Jones' new staging of I Puritani

From £56
Giselle thumbnail

Dance

Giselle

Opens 14 February 2026

Giselle, the haunting tale of innocence and betrayal, returns to the Royal Ballet & Opera House

From £66
Rigoletto thumbnail

Opera

Rigoletto

Opens 25 March 2026

One of Verdi’s most famous operas returns to the Royal Ballet & Opera House

From £56
La Fille du regiment thumbnail

Opera

La Fille du regiment

Opens 07 July 2026

Love conquers all in La Fille du regiment, a comedy about a tomboy and an unconventional military family

From £50