In a first for us, this weekend we headed to Stoke’s Fenton Manor Sports Centre to watch Robots Live! – a show featuring many of the machines from the hit TV show Robot Wars.
It was our first time watching the show, and also the first time we visited the Fenton Manor sports complex. Therefore, this review will include some general information about the facility, as well as our experience of the show. The event had two shows, one at 2:30 pm and the other at 6:00 pm. We attended the evening show.
Arrival and Accessibility
- Parking: Our evening started off smoothly with no trouble finding parking space in the large car park of the sports centre. A slight hiccup arose with the ticket machines being out of order, but a quick fix was provided with parking passes available inside for £1.50.
- Accessibility: The venue showcased excellent accessibility with ramps allowing for easy movement for individuals in wheelchairs or those with walking difficulties. There is dedicated disabled parking spaces at the front of the venue.
Seating and Viewing
- Condition of Seats: While the arena seats had seen better days with some wear and tear visible, they were able to accommodate adults comfortably. Our strategy of arriving early paid off as we secured seats with a vantage view of the arena, right behind the VIP rows.
- Unreserved Seating: The system of unreserved seating worked in our favour, enabling us to choose spots that offered a clear view of the arena.
The Atmosphere and Battles
- Audience Participation: We all knew why we were there, and so there was plenty of audience participation and engagement. We were split into two teams for a competitive element and the presenter, a roboteer from the Apollo team, was brilliant at keeping us informed and getting us involved. The collective countdown to initiate battles and the cheers that followed each attack created an electrifying atmosphere reminiscent of the original TV show.
- Memorable Clashes: I lost count of the number of battles that we saw, there were heavy weight and light weight classes and it was impressive to see the machines we’d seen on TV before our very eyes. Despite my tendency to root for the underdogs, who often met their demise, the event was an exhilarating watch. The house robot Goliath was a spectacle in itself, dwarfing even the heavyweight class robots.
Facilities and Staff Interaction
- Amenities: Easy access to toilets, a selection of vending machines along with food and drink options ensured people could get easy access to food and drink.
- Staff Excellence: The commendable organisation and the warm interaction from the event staff only served to enhance the experience. We couldn’t fault any of the staff who all seemed to be there to ensure we had a great experience at the show.
Our Thoughts
Although we missed out on the VIP package due to its early sell-out, the overall experience was fantastic. The sentiment was shared by many around, as the event catered not just to the tech enthusiasts but also provided a fun-filled outing for families. The show runs for 2 hours, so even for younger children, it didn’t feel too long or late and kept everyone’s attention.
The arena used for the show was equipped with various features to make the battles more intense. There was a Floor Flipper that could fling robots out of the arena, Hammers that could hit robots that got too close, the Thunder Drum that could shred anyone who was pushed onto it, and the Pit where unsuspecting robots could either fall or be pushed into.
For anyone who has ever enjoyed ‘Robot Wars’ on screen, Robots Live! brings that exhilaration live, right before your eyes. The event, well-organised and engaging, left us wanting more and watching the Robots Live website for their 2024 event dates to be released!
You can find out more -> https://www.robotsliveshow.com/
Some of the action!
