Manchester
Stadium tours in Manchester: the Etihad, Old Trafford and the football museum
The dressing room at the Etihad, the players’ tunnel at Old Trafford and England’s national football museum. Manchester is the world’s football city, and you can walk in the players’ footsteps at both stadiums. Here are the tours, how to get there and where to stay.
The dressing room is empty, but the shirts hang ready on their pegs, names and numbers on the back. Through the players’ tunnel you hear the mower out on the pitch, and when you step out, the stands rise up around you. A stadium tour is the closest you will get to walking in the players’ footsteps, and in Manchester you can do it twice in one day.
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Short answer: stadium tours in Manchester
Etihad Stadium: Manchester City’s home, with the dressing room, the tunnel and the press room.
Old Trafford: Manchester United’s “Theatre of Dreams”, with a museum and tour.
National Football Museum: England’s national football museum, in the city centre.
Tours do not run on match days, and times change often. Book on the clubs’ own websites.
Stay nearby
By Old Trafford: Hotel Football, right across from the stadium. See rooms at Hotel Football
In the centre, close to both: The Edwardian Manchester on St Peter’s Square. See rooms at The Edwardian
The Etihad Stadium: City’s home
The Etihad Stadium lies east of the centre, on the Etihad Campus. The tour takes you into the dressing room, through the players’ tunnel and out to the dugout, and ends in the press room where Pep Guardiola and the players face the media after matches. Outside stand statues of three of the club’s great legends.
Getting there
Take the tram from Piccadilly to the Etihad Campus stop. The journey takes around a quarter of an hour.
The Etihad Stadium, home of Manchester City.
Old Trafford: the Theatre of Dreams
It was Bobby Charlton who gave Old Trafford its nickname, the “Theatre of Dreams”. It is Britain’s largest club stadium, and the tour takes you into the dressing room, through the tunnel and up into the stands. The museum tells the club’s story, and at the stadium stands the memorial to the 1958 Munich air disaster, in which much of the team was killed. The club has drawn up plans for a new, larger stadium nearby.
Getting there
Take the tram from the centre and walk the last stretch, or stay right by the stadium.
The National Football Museum
In the modern glass Urbis building by Cathedral Gardens is England’s national football museum, with shirts, trophies and interactive exhibits where you can test your shot. A good choice for a rainy day, or to fill the time before a match.
The National Football Museum in the city centre.
Good to know
Check the fixtures: Tours do not run on match days, and often not the day before either.
Book ahead: Weekends fill up fast, especially in school holidays.
Do both: With the tram and some planning you can fit in the Etihad and Old Trafford in one day.
Where to stay
Hotel Football: by Old Trafford
The hotel is owned by former Manchester United players and stands right across from the stadium.
Book your stay: See rooms at Hotel Football
The Edwardian Manchester: in the centre
A luxury hotel on St Peter’s Square, where the tram runs to both stadiums.
Book your stay: See rooms at The Edwardian Manchester
See more in our guide to where to stay in Manchester.
Frequently asked questions about stadium tours in Manchester
Can you visit the Etihad Stadium?
Yes, Manchester City runs daily tours outside match days.
How long does the Old Trafford tour take?
Around an hour for the tour, and longer if you also visit the museum.
Can you do both tours on the same day?
Yes, with the tram and a little planning.