When we announced Line of Duty: Operation Echo, the response was immediate. Thousands of you put your names on the waitlist, ready to step into the shoes of AC-12 investigators when the live experience hits London in early 2027.
You gave us your questions, and, as promised, we’re going to answer them – as long as you’re not asking something with a classified answer. Don’t worry, we’ve filed them away so we know to answer them when we can.
Thank you from all of us for your enthusiasm! We can already tell that your curiosity will be an asset to solving this case, and we can’t wait to share more details with you.
Read on to find the answers to your questions, and to find out what other future AC-12 recruits wanted to know…
How The Experience Works & Practical Details
How does the experience work, and what will it entail?
Line of Duty: Operation Echo puts you and your squad right at the heart of an active investigation across the streets of London in real time.
Working in tactical teams of 2-8 players, you’ll track down hidden locations, analyse evidence, solve physical puzzles, and exchange direct intel with AC-12 characters.
Every choice you make impacts your route, your leads, and how the story plays out. Part street-based adventure, part outdoor escape room, it will be an interactive investigation where your team decides the outcome of the case – and your choices won’t be easy.
Are we going to be directly involved in solving the case?
Hastings, Fleming and Arnott will be in regular contact throughout the case, but this investigation is entirely in your squad’s hands.
You’ll begin by collecting a dossier containing vital intel, but from there, it'll be up to you to track down the rest of the evidence – and decide what you do with it.
Conflicting witness accounts, multiple prime suspects, and high-pressure choices will be there every step of the way. Every decision you make directly shapes the outcome of the case, so watch your back, follow the evidence, and remember: letter of the law. Unless…
Is this an escape room, an immersive show, a virtual reality event or a live-action experience with actors?
Line of Duty: Operation Echo is a real-time live experience of London’s streets. You can think of it like a giant, urban outdoor escape room themed around the lore of Line of Duty in central London.
The TV show actors – Martin Compston, Vicky McClure and Adrian Dunbar – aren’t physically present on the experience.
Is the experience interactive through a mobile app or text messages?
No app is required for Line of Duty: Operation Echo. All you need is WhatsApp and internet access to participate. The messages are there to guide you through the experience, but the investigation plays out on the streets.
Paper versions will not be available as players need to communicate in real time with Hastings, Fleming and Arnott.
Is the format similar to Race Across the World: The Experience?
Yes and no. Both are created by us here at CityDays, so they share our signature outdoor, real-world exploration model, but the experiences are completely different.
Instead of racing to checkpoints, you’ll be stepping into the shoes of AC-12 officers to interrogate evidence, track down leads, and untangle a live case across London steeped in Line of Duty lore.
How many cases are we investigating, and does the story change?
For now, Line of Duty: Operation Echo is centred around one complex case.
Each decision in the experience informs what happens next, so there are many ways it could unfold. Only you can decide how yours will end…
Will there be different levels of difficulty available?
No, the experience has been designed for players aged 16 years and older. Puzzles and clues will be moderately difficult to keep teams engaged and encourage teamwork.
Can we complete the experience at our own pace?
Of course, it’s entirely up to you how quickly you try to solve the case. The timer will continue to tick, but if you’re not in a hurry, ignore it and solve at your own pace.
Are there pub stops included along the route?
Yes! Teams will visit multiple venues, including pubs and cafés, throughout the experience to have a chance to rest throughout the investigation.
The timer will pause while you enjoy a drink, a bite to eat, or rest your feet, and the investigation gets underway again when you tell us you’re ready.
Location & Venue Details
Where in London will the experience be taking place, and where are the start and end points?
The precise locations for the experience remain strictly classified for now. What we can reveal is that the investigation unfolds across iconic locations in central London.
Full location intel will be declassified very soon. Keep your eyes on your inbox and follow our official social media channels for news.
Is the experience based indoors or outdoors, and can it run in bad weather?
Organised crime doesn't stop for drizzle, and neither does AC-12. Line of Duty: Operation Echo, which is a primarily outdoor live experience, runs rain or shine.
While bookings can be rescheduled, true operatives deploy whatever the forecast. We recommend that players dress for the weather and always wear comfortable footwear.
Pricing, Tickets & Gift Vouchers
How much will tickets cost, and what is included in the price?
Individual tickets will be priced from £25 before any pre-sale discounts are applied. Lower price, off-peak time slots will be available.
All players in a team need their own ticket to participate, tickets will be checked during the experience. Everything you need to complete the experience, apart from a phone with internet access and WhatsApp installed, is provided for you.
When will tickets go on sale, and when will more information be released?
We will be announcing the date of the pre-sale on 29 October. Make sure you’re signed up to the waitlist to be the first to learn more.
Information about the pre-sale, tickets and other news relating to the experience will also be available on our website, and on our Facebook, Instagram and TikTok accounts.
How can we book for large groups (e.g. 20-40 people) with single-payment options?
Tickets will be available for purchase on a team basis. For example, if you have a group of 25, you will be able to purchase 5 teams of 5 players to play against each other at the same time if you wish.
Teams wishing to compete head-to-head must be on the same booking; please contact us if you are unsure.
Organisers will be in charge of managing the booking, setting up teams and adding players’ details.
Can I purchase gift vouchers or tickets as Christmas presents before the experience is available?
Yes, absolutely. Gift vouchers will be available for purchase shortly after the pre-sale goes live.
Once the booking window opens, your recipient will have complete freedom to select a date and time that suits them.
Will you offer carer tickets, and if so, what will they cost?
Free tickets for accompanying carers/support workers will be available. Please provide supporting documentation.
Dates, Timings & Capacity
When will Line of Duty: Operation Echo be available?
We will announce the pre-sale date and more details on 29 October. The experience will be available to play from early 2027.
How long will the overall experience last?
We’re expecting teams to complete Line of Duty: Operation Echo in 2-3 hours, excluding breaks.
If you want to go at a slower pace and take your time at rest stops, we recommend adding an extra hour or two to your plans.
What are the minimum and maximum group size limits per team or booking?
The minimum team size for the experience will be 2 players, while the maximum size is 8 players. Large bookings can have multiple teams starting at the same time.
Is it possible to participate on your own?
No, Line of Duty: Operation Echo is a team activity with a minimum team size of 2 players.
Will smaller groups be combined with strangers to form larger teams?
It’s up to you who you solve the case with, but no, you don’t need to interact with strangers.
Accessibility, Age Restrictions & Suitability
What are the age restrictions, and is the experience suitable for children or teenagers?
The minimum age for participating in Line of Duty: Operation Echo is 16.
Content, puzzles and clues are not suitable for children, and the experience is designed to be enjoyed by players aged 16 and over.
Tickets must be purchased by an adult (18+) and under-18s must be accompanied by an adult.
Will the experience be scary?
While Line of Duty: Operation Echo contains adult themes appropriate for a police procedural, including references to serious crime, corruption, and fictional evidence, it is designed to be a thrilling detective story, not a horror experience.
Moral dilemmas will be part of the case, but the thrill of the experience comes from solving the case as a team.
Is the experience suitable for older participants and what level of physical fitness do you need to be?
Line of Duty: Operation Echo is suitable for all players over 16 years of age and is completed on foot (or using mobility aids). The total length of the route will be around 4-5km or 2.5-3 miles.
Regular breaks are included and you are welcome to take as long as you need to complete the investigation. The timer pauses while on a break so no need to rush!
Will the experience be wheelchair-accessible, dog and pram-friendly?
Step-free routes will be available, and dogs are more than welcome to join your squad on the beat.
Simply select the step-free or dog-friendly option when setting up your case, and we’ll ensure your route keeps the investigation moving smoothly.
What adjustments are available for participants with hearing impairments?
Any audio elements of the experience will be available in text format, too.
Miscellaneous Queries
Are any of the original characters involved in the experience?
Yes, during Line of Duty: Operation Echo, you’ll be communicating with Hastings, Fleming and Arnott throughout the experience.
Will the experience be broadcasted on TV?
No, the experience will unfold in real time on London’s streets, 7 days a week. You can’t watch this investigation, you’re running it!
Will Jesus, Mary and Joseph and the Wee Donkey be part of the experience?
We didn’t float up the Lagan in a bubble…
Why is ITV Studios involved in promoting or producing an experience based on a BBC show?
We, CityDays, are the creators of the experience, under official license from and in partnership with ITV Studios Global Partnerships, who own the licensing rights to Line of Duty.
Why diesel and not petrol?
We’ll have to pass that one over to Hastings. As far as we can tell, the phrase goes back to farming machinery, but its precise etymology is uncertain.
If any Irish and Northern Irish readers know the answer, get in touch!
If Ted, Kate and Steve were cartoon characters, who would they be?
That’s a really tricky one… we’ll revert to an old favourite: “no comment”.
Can I have a free ticket for being so helpful?
We appreciate every single one of you who got in touch with a question, and while we won’t be handing out any free tickets today, a competition to win 2-8 tickets for your team is coming your way very, very soon.
Keep an eye out for emails and posts from us on socials to be in with the chance of winning!
Be The First to Find Out More About Line of Duty: Operation Echo
Thank you to everyone who emailed us a question about the experience and for sharing your excitement with us.
This is only the beginning. Be the first to find out more information by signing up to our newsletter and following us on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok.