When Sadler’s Wells East opened on the East Bank of Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in January 2025, it arrived as one of the most significant new cultural venues in London in a generation. A purpose-built dance venue with a flexible 550-seat auditorium, a commitment to hip-hop and contemporary dance alongside ballet, and a home base in Stratford: it changed what was available in east London almost immediately.
The autumn 2026 season at Sadler’s Wells East is the venue at full tilt. Five productions in seven weeks, spanning contemporary dance, physical theatre, and dance-theatre. All of them at the Stratford venue, five minutes from Stratford station and a short walk from where we are at Draughts. If you are planning to see any of the autumn shows – or just want to know what the venue is putting on – here is a complete guide.
About Sadler’s Wells East
Sadler’s Wells East is the new Stratford home of the world-renowned Sadler’s Wells organisation. It sits on the East Bank of Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, alongside other major cultural institutions opening on the same development: the V&A East, the BBC, London Stadium, and the London Aquatics Centre. The main auditorium holds up to 550 people in a flexible configuration and is designed specifically for dance and physical performance. There is also The Dance Floor – a free-to-use community dance space in the building, with drop-in sessions and free events running alongside the ticketed programme.
The address is East Bank, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, London E20 2ST. The closest station is Stratford (London Overground, Elizabeth line, Jubilee line and National Rail), a short walk through the park. Stratford International is also close for those arriving by HS1.
What is on at Sadler’s Wells East this autumn
Dance Umbrella – THE HERD/LESS | 8-10 October 2026
Dance Umbrella is the UK’s longest-running contemporary dance festival, and THE HERD/LESS – by South African choreographer and performer Mamela Nyamza – is one of its headline Sadler’s Wells East shows this autumn. Nyamza is known for work that confronts identity, race and the politics of the body with fierce intelligence and dark wit. THE HERD/LESS continues in that tradition.
Tickets available at sadlerswells.com.
Alleyne Dance – Far From Home | 15-17 October 2026
Alleyne Dance – the company founded by sisters Kristina and Sadé Alleyne – returns to Sadler’s Wells East with Far From Home. The company is a major force in contemporary dance, blending physical rigour with deeply personal storytelling. Far From Home explores themes of belonging, migration and identity – the Alleyne sisters drawing on their own experience growing up between cultures. Three evenings only.
Tickets available at sadlerswells.com.
Dickson Mbi Company – TELLUS | 21-24 October 2026
Dickson Mbi is one of the most acclaimed British choreographers of his generation – a Royal Ballet School-trained dancer who moved into contemporary choreography and has been making work that refuses any single category. TELLUS is his latest work for Sadler’s Wells East. Four performances across four evenings.
Tickets available at sadlerswells.com.
Motionhouse – Hidden | 27-31 October 2026
Motionhouse has been making physically extraordinary dance-circus theatre for over thirty years. Hidden is their latest production – a show about what is concealed beneath the visible surface, performed with the company’s signature combination of acrobatics, dance and theatrical design. Five performances running into Halloween week, which makes Hidden a particularly fitting choice for the season.
Tickets available at sadlerswells.com.
Lost Dog – The Last Hamlet | 4-7 November 2026
Lost Dog is the company of choreographer Ben Duke, whose productions have become reliable highlights of the Sadler’s Wells calendar. The Last Hamlet is exactly what it sounds like: a reckoning with Shakespeare’s most analysed play, filtered through Lost Dog’s characteristic mix of dance, spoken text, dry humour and genuine emotional intelligence. Ben Duke’s work is simultaneously funny and devastating – not easy to do, and he does it consistently. Four performances to open November.
Tickets available at sadlerswells.com.
The Dance Floor: free community events
Alongside the ticketed programme, Sadler’s Wells East runs a free community space called The Dance Floor – an open area available for drop-in sessions, free workshops and community events. Upcoming free weekends include The Dance Floor is Black: Queer Frequencies Weekend (22-23 August 2026). The free events programme runs throughout the autumn – check sadlerswells.com/take-part/the-dance-floor-at-sadlers-wells-east for current listings. No ticket required.
Before or after your show: Draughts Stratford
We are at 5 Aquatics Walk, inside Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park – a short walk from Sadler’s Wells East and from Stratford station. If you are coming to any of the autumn shows, Draughts Stratford works well as a place to eat and play beforehand, or as somewhere to decompress and talk about what you just saw over a drink and a game afterwards.
We have over 1,000 board games available to play. The format is simple: pay entry, choose from the library, order food and drinks. Our kitchen runs every evening. If you want something that works for two people on a date night, or a larger group of friends making an evening of it, our team will always find something that fits.
If you are coming for a Saturday matinee at Sadler’s Wells East and want to make a full day out of it, the park has the London Aquatics Centre, the ArcelorMittal Orbit, and open green space – plus us for games in the afternoon. Book a table at draughtslondon.com.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Sadler’s Wells East?
Sadler’s Wells East is at East Bank, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, London E20 2ST. It is on the same development as the V&A East and the BBC’s new Stratford campus. The closest stations are Stratford (London Overground, Elizabeth line, Jubilee line, National Rail – around 10 minutes on foot through the park) and Stratford International (HS1 – around 8 minutes on foot).
What is on at Sadler’s Wells East this autumn?
The Sadler’s Wells East autumn 2026 season runs from October through November and includes: Dance Umbrella – THE HERD/LESS (8-10 October), Alleyne Dance – Far From Home (15-17 October), Dickson Mbi Company – TELLUS (21-24 October), Motionhouse – Hidden (27-31 October), and Lost Dog – The Last Hamlet (4-7 November). All five productions are at the Sadler’s Wells East venue in Stratford.
What kind of dance does Sadler’s Wells East programme?
Sadler’s Wells East programmes contemporary dance, physical theatre, hip-hop and dance-circus alongside more traditional forms. The autumn 2026 season reflects the range: Dance Umbrella’s politically engaged work, the dance-theatre of Alleyne Dance and Lost Dog, the acrobatic physical theatre of Motionhouse, and the genre-defying choreography of Dickson Mbi. The East venue is specifically designed to be more flexible and adventurous than the traditional Sadler’s Wells Theatre in Angel.
How do I get to Sadler’s Wells East from central London?
The easiest route is the Elizabeth line from Liverpool Street or Bond Street directly to Stratford (around 7 minutes from Liverpool Street). The Jubilee line runs from Westminster and London Bridge to Stratford. From Stratford station, the walk through Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park to Sadler’s Wells East takes around 10 minutes. If you are coming from the north, the London Overground connects Highbury and Islington, Dalston Junction and Hackney to Stratford.
How much are tickets at Sadler’s Wells East?
Ticket prices vary by production. Sadler’s Wells East aims to offer accessible pricing – check sadlerswells.com for the current prices for each show. Sadler’s Wells also offers the Barclays Dance Pass, which provides discounted tickets for young people and those on lower incomes.
Is Sadler’s Wells East the same as Sadler’s Wells?
Sadler’s Wells East is a separate venue from the original Sadler’s Wells Theatre in Angel (Islington) and the Peacock Theatre in Holborn. All three are run by the same organisation – Sadler’s Wells – but they programme different shows and serve different areas of London. Sadler’s Wells East is the newest venue, opened in January 2025, and is specifically designed to serve east London with a more adventurous, flexible programme.
What is The Dance Floor at Sadler’s Wells East?
The Dance Floor is a free community space inside Sadler’s Wells East – an open area used for drop-in sessions, free workshops and community events. It runs events focused on hip-hop, street dance and community participation, and is open to everyone without a ticket. Upcoming events include The Dance Floor is Black: Queer Frequencies Weekend (22-23 August 2026). Check sadlerswells.com for current listings.
Is Sadler’s Wells East family-friendly?
Sadler’s Wells East programmes work for a range of audiences, though the autumn 2026 season is more adult-oriented than children’s theatre. Check individual production pages for age guidance. For families looking to combine a visit to the park with a cultural experience, the venue is easy to incorporate into a broader day out in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park alongside the Aquatics Centre, the Orbit and the outdoor spaces. Draughts at 5 Aquatics Walk is also a family-friendly venue if you want to play board games as part of your visit.
What is near Sadler’s Wells East?
Sadler’s Wells East is inside Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, which contains the London Stadium (West Ham United, athletics), the London Aquatics Centre, the ArcelorMittal Orbit, Tumbling Bay playground, and extensive parkland and waterways. The East Bank development – of which the venue is part – is bringing the V&A East, BBC studios and London College of Fashion to the same area. Draughts is at 5 Aquatics Walk, a short walk from Sadler’s Wells East, and offers board games, food and drinks before or after your show.
Where can I eat near Sadler’s Wells East?
Sadler’s Wells East has a cafe and bar in the building. For a fuller evening out, Draughts at 5 Aquatics Walk offers a kitchen serving food and a full cocktail menu alongside over 1,000 board games. It is a 5-10 minute walk from Sadler’s Wells East, making it straightforward to combine a show with dinner and games. Book a table at draughtslondon.com.
Do I need to book tickets for Sadler’s Wells East in advance?
For popular productions – particularly Dance Umbrella shows and Lost Dog, which regularly sell out – booking in advance is strongly recommended. The autumn 2026 season is likely to be busy given the quality of the programme. You can book directly at sadlerswells.com. If you are also planning to visit Draughts, we recommend booking a table at draughtslondon.com in advance, particularly for Friday and Saturday evenings.
What board games are good for people who enjoy dance?
People who enjoy dance and physical performance often find abstract and movement-based games particularly satisfying. Codenames is an excellent party game built around communication and lateral thinking – the team dynamic echoes ensemble performance. Mysterium is an atmospheric cooperative game that rewards pattern recognition and storytelling instinct. Dixit is a storytelling game built around evocative images. For something more strategic, Azul – with its precise tile-placement mechanics and beautiful components – is a favourite. All are available at Draughts Stratford.
