Name a seat
Secure your seat, and the future of ballet and opera
For nearly 300 years the Royal Ballet and Opera have been telling stories that heighten human emotion. Part of that story, from the very beginning through to today, is you. It is your turn to tell us your story by naming a seat at the Royal Opera House, to celebrate a loved one, yourself, a special occasion, a ballet or opera.
Naming a seat is a personal way for you to support the Royal Ballet and Opera now and into the future. We rely on your support to continue to make world class ballet and opera for everyone. We are for people, not profit.
Show your support by naming a seat today.
Naming a seat at the Royal Opera House
Commemorate loved ones, celebrate special occasions or share your passion for ballet and opera by naming a seat in our Main Stage or Linbury Theatre auditoria.
We would love to hear which seats have meaning to you, and we will celebrate your story by fixing a name and short message to an agreed seat when specified donations are made. Your plaque will remain in place for a whole generation (25 years).
Once the plaque is installed you will be taken on a private tour of the auditorium to see it in place.
Please note: Naming a seat does not include admission to individual performances or events. It does not guarantee allocation of that seat for a particular performance.
Your Plaque
Plaques are fixed to the back of your chosen seat in the Stalls, Stalls Circle, Donald Gordon Grand Tier or Balcony and on the front row seats of the Amphitheatre. Standing spaces will be acknowledged with a plaque on the floor. Standing areas are identified as ‘S’ on the map below.
We look forward to discussing the wording for your plaque with you and the names of individuals, significant dates or short messages that tell your story.
CHOOSING A SEAT
You can use the seat map below to explore available seats. Once you click the 'name this seat' button your request will be sent to our team.
Main Stage auditorium suggested donations
- Orchestra Stalls Rows A–E: £10,000
- Orchestra Stalls Rows F–W: £7,000
- Stalls Circle Seats: £5,000
- Stalls Circle Standing Spaces: £1,500
- Donald Gordon Grand Tier Seats: £10,000
- Balcony Seats: £3,000
- Balcony Standing Spaces: £1,000
- Amphitheatre Rows A–K: £1,500
- Amphitheatre Rows L–S: £1,000
- Amphitheatre Standing Spaces: £500
Linbury Theatre auditorium suggested donations
- Upper Circle all seats: £2,500
- Circle main area: £5,000
- Circle Row B and sides: £1,000
- Stalls main area: £5,000
- Stalls Row AA–BB: £1,000
Main Stage Auditorium
Donations start from £500 to name a seat in the Main Stage auditorium. The map will show you current availability and suggested donations in various areas. Click the 'name this seat' button to email your enquiry to our team.
Linbury Theatre Auditorium
Donations start from £1,000 to name a seat in the Linbury Theatre auditorium. The map will show you current availability and suggested donations in various areas. Click the 'name this seat' button to email your enquiry to our team.
Your Tour
Once your plaque is installed, you will be invited to visit the Royal Opera House for a private back stage tour with your friends and family. The tour will take you through the Royal Opera House including the auditorium, backstage areas and finishing at your named seat. On this tour you can celebrate your story with loved ones here in Covent Garden.
Stories from our seats
Gerald McMorrow – Seat B45 (Balcony)
My wife Georgie organised a surprise evening for my 50th birthday. I was taken to the Royal Opera House and ushered through stage door to explore the backstage areas. What I wasn’t ready for was the revelation that my wife had secured a name plate in honour of my parents... It is a wonderful memorial and it always gives me comfort to know that whatever the performance, whatever the day, whatever the audience, their names are celebrated in the building they both loved the most. The surprise was deeply moving and generous – the best gift anyone has ever given me.
Steven John Pegrum – Seat D56 (Amphitheatre)
Kathleen and I enjoyed our first date watching Romeo and Juliet in 1979. We have been enjoying ballet at the Royal Opera House ever since. We would like to name a seat to celebrate 40 years of happy marriage.
Mikhail and Julia – Seat J11 (Orchestra Stalls)
We relocated to London from Malta for work in 2019, but the first performance at the Royal Opera House we were able to attend was Rigoletto in September 2021. It was unforgettable – after the pandemic, the magnificent opera, and the brilliant cast, the atmosphere of returning cultural life... Even now, after another 50 visits, we remember that visit as if it was yesterday and eagerly anticipating new productions we're attending.
Jane Johnson – Seat S68/69 (Amphitheatre)
My parents loved ballet and before I was born they spent many happy performances on wooden benches in the Amphitheatre watching Fonteyn, Helpmann, Soames and more. It is through them that I also have a love of ballet and opera.
Contact the Fundraising Appeals team
Find out more about naming a seat in our auditorium by contacting our Fundraising Appeals team.
The Royal Ballet and Opera reserves discretion over the choice of messages on plaques and will not accept messages of some nature, including those which are deemed offensive, inappropriate, and those endorsing or advertising a business.
The Royal Ballet and Opera are open to discussions about seat plaques for supporters who have previously made sufficiently large donations to the organisation. For more information, please email fundriaisng@rbo.org.uk.
Royal Opera House Covent Garden Foundation, a charitable company limited by guarantee incorporated in England and Wales (Company number 480523) Charity Registered (Number 211775)