The Etihad Stadium has a bowl design and is totally enclosed. Now expanded to a capacity of over 55,000 it has become one of the best stadiums in the country, not only in terms of size but also in its fantastic facilities. Both stands on either side of the pitch are virtually identical, being semi-circular in shape, three-tiered, with a row of executive boxes running across the stands, located in-between the second and third tiers. Both ends were originally smaller in size, being two tiers high, but during the 2014/15 season, a large third tier was added to the South Stand, adding another 6,250 seats. It is intended to also expand in a similar way the North Stand but in the meantime it will remain two-tiered with a row of executive boxes, running across the back of the stand just below the roof. Both these ends are of the more traditional rectangular design. The second tier around the stadium slightly overhangs the lower. The roof runs continuously around the stadium stretching up over the stands and down to the North end, creating a spectacular effect. There is a perspex strip just below the roof and the spectator areas, allowing light to reach the pitch. The upper tiers are steeper than the lower, ensuring that spectators are kept close to the playing action. Iain Macintosh adds; ‘An interesting feature of the stadium is the openable louvres in each of the four corners. These are located at either end of the level three seating in the East and Colin Bell stands. These are closed when in use, however, when the stadium is unoccupied, they are opened to allow the wind to blow through the enclosed bowl, helping keep the grass pristine’. The stadium also has two large video screens in opposite corners of the ground. Outside the ground near the main club entrance is a memorial garden, which includes a tribute to former city player Marc-Vivien Foe.
In July 2011, the Club announced a ten year sponsorship deal with Etihad Airways to rename the stadium, to the Etihad stadium. Although many fans (and some commentators no doubt) will still call it Eastlands. Also of interest is that the playing surface is the largest in the League.
Man City get my vote for the weirdest looking mascots in the league. Whilst most clubs have elected to re-create some furry creature, Man City have as their mascots a pair of aliens called ‘Moonchester’ and ‘Moonbeam’.
The building of a third tier at the South End of the Etihad Stadium was completed for the start of the 2015/16 season; three new rows of seats have also been added at pitch side level around most of the stadium where feasible; and 2 small sections of extra seats have been constructed at the far end of the West and East Stands closest to the South Stand. The full capacity has not yet been reached due some works being in the final stages of completion but is thought to be in the region of 55,000.
The club have planning permission to extend The North Stand by constructing a new third tier. This could add approx. 6,250 seats. A timescale for this work has not been announced. Once these developments are finished the overall capacity will rise to around 61,000 making it the second largest football stadium in the country.
In addition to the above potential plans for the actual stadium, the club’s owners have recently become one of the key stakeholders in a £350m plan to further enhance the area around the Etihad. The focus of the Populous designed development will be on the general entertainment sector.
Away fans are located in one side of the South Stand at one end of the ground, spread across the upper, middle, and lower tiers, where up to 3,000 fans can be accommodated (4,500 for cup games). The view of the action is pretty impressive although the atmosphere within the stadium is a bit ‘hit and miss’ at times. I did hear though on my last visit one very good rendition of the Man City fans anthem ‘Blue Moon’. My only real complaint was the lack of distance between the home and away supporters. Only a few seats and a row of stewards stood in-between the two sets of fans, which led to a lot of unpleasant baiting between the two. And of course it was always the away fans who were adjudged to be causing the problems by the stewards (although I’m sure that if I visited on another occasion I probably would have seen the same Man City fans baiting in the same manner) and this led a number of away fans on my visit being escorted out of the stadium.
The facilities are also pretty good with spacious concourses and large plasma flat television screens showing the game. There is also the usual selection of food on offer; including Hot Dogs (£4.50) and a range of pies; Peppered Steak, Chicken Balti, Potato and Meat, plus Cheese & Onion (all £4 each).
After the game has finished fans are kept apart immediately outside via a large fence which is erected by the Police, which seems to lead to a lot of exchanges of unpleasant abuse. Some away fans have suggested that it may be best to keep colours covered on making your way back to your transport. It is also worth noting that before getting to the turnstiles fans have to pass through a security cordon, where tickets are checked and pat down searches carried out, as well as inspecting the contents of bags.
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There are not a great deal of pubs around the stadium, and the few available, including the FanZone at the ground, are predominantly for home support. However, ‘The Stanley’ (aka Sports Bar) pub does let in away fans in small numbers. It is about a ten minute walk away from the stadium, just set back from the main A6010 (Pottery Lane), going towards Ashburys train station. The easiest way to find it is to locate the large Asda store behind one side of the stadium (there is also a McDonalds outlet next door to the store, plus there is a cafe located inside it) and on facing the superstore turn right and proceed down the main road, you will come to the pub on the left. It does cost £1 for adults to enter the pub, (they even stamp your hand as if you were entering a night club) but children are at least admitted free. Inside there is a large screen showing SKY Sports, good service and a good mix of home and away support.
Alan Finneran informs me; ‘I would recommend the Townley on Albert Street, which is only a five minute walk away from the stadium. The pub has a good atmosphere and as long as away fans arrive early and are discrete (i.e. no colours) then they should be okay. Also, the Manchester City Supporters Club have their own City Social bar opposite the North Stand. I have seen opposition supporters in there now and again, so if you are a member of your own team’s supporters club, then your branch secretary may be able to arrange a visit to the Social bar in advance’.
Dave Clinton adds; ‘If you want a pint beforehand then it is probably best to drink in the city centre. My tip, would be to head to the Printworks in Manchester, near Victoria station. There is a connecting tram service from Piccadilly. There are loads of pubs at the Printworks, with plenty of choice of food. The pubs around Piccadilly itself are not too clever. However, Deansgate or around the Town Hall, would be a good place to head for if you are taking in the City centre. This is about a 30 minute walk away from the stadium’.
Chris Fogarty warns; ‘away fans should avoid the Queen Victoria pub at the bottom of Grey Mare Lane’. Also Mary D’s on Grey Mare Lane is also not recommended for away supporters as well as pubs on Ashton New Road (both these roads are in the area behind the away end of the stadium). Otherwise alcohol is available inside the stadium; Fosters Lager, Strongbow Cider, John Smith’s Bitter (all £4 pint, £2.50 half pint), plus White, Red or Rose wine (all £5.50 for a small bottle).
The stadium is located in the North East of Manchester.
From the South M6
Leave the M6 at Junction 19 and follow the A556 towards Stockport and then join the M56 going towards Stockport. Continue onto the M60 passing Stockport and heading on towards Ashton Under Lyne. Leave the M60 at Junction 23 and take the A635 towards Manchester. Branch off onto the A662 (Ashton New Road) towards Droylsden and Manchester. Stay on the A662 for around three miles and you will reach the Stadium on your right.
From The M62
Leave the M62 at Junction 18 and then join the M60 Ashton Under Lyne. Leave the M60 at Junction 23 and take the A635 towards Manchester. Branch off onto the A662 (Ashton New Road) towards Droylsden/Manchester. Stay on the A662 for around three miles and you will reach the Stadium on your right.
Whilst Iain Macintosh informs me; ‘I find this an easier route to the ground; Leave the M60 at Junction 24 and take the A57 (Hyde Road) towards Manchester. Turn right onto the A6010 (Pottery Lane). There are quite a number of unofficial car parks on both sides of Pottery Lane, costing around £5 per car. Pottery Lane becomes the Alan Turing Way and goes right past the stadium on your left’.
Car Parking
There is some parking available at the stadium itself which costs £10 per car, £20 per minibus, whilst motorcycles are free. The East Car Park is nearest to the away entrance. Please be aware that there is a residents only parking scheme in place in the streets near to the ground, which extends about a mile out from the stadium. So if you want to street park, it means parking further away and then walking to the stadium. Some unofficial car parks have sprung up mostly charging around £5 per car. Terry Ireland a visiting Chelsea fan adds; ‘Plenty of car parking spaces were available when we arrived at the stadium around two hours before kick off. However, getting out after the game was a joke. It’s a little like a free for all and took us nearly an hour to exit the car park and be on our way. Meanwhile the unofficial car parks, all but 400 yards away, had cleared, been locked-up and were long gone by the time we passed them on our way home. And they cost the same to park!’
Brian Lawes a visiting AFC Bournemouth fan tells me; ‘We managed to park at St Brigid’s Church on Grey Mare Lane (off the Ashton New Road behind the South Stand where the away fans are housed) which cost £6. It was very handy for the stadium, but being so close it did take quite a long time to get back out onto the main road after the match had ended.’ There is also the option of renting a private driveway near the Etihad Stadium via YourParkingSpace.co.uk.
Peter Llewellyn informs me; ‘The road links are busy even on non-match days so make sure you allow plenty of time. The stadium is part of Sportcity so car users should follow the brown Sportcity signs until near the stadium’.
Post Code for SAT NAV: M11 3FF
Zeelo is running direct coach services for home fans travelling to the Etihad. With the long and crowded train or tiring drive, Zeelo offers a hassle free service straight to the stadium. Travel in a comfortable coach, with a guaranteed seat and soak in the atmosphere with other fans. This family-friendly service has special rates for seniors and children with prices starting from as little as £9 return.
Check the Zeelo website for more details.
The Etihad Stadium has its own Metrolink stop on the East Manchester line, called Etihad Campus; this is only a five minute walk from the away end. Trams can be caught from either Victoria or Piccadilly railway stations (or Market Street or Piccadilly Gardens in the city centre), taking a tram towards Droylsden, calling at Etihad Campus (which is on the north side of the stadium, next to the outside catering and toilets at City Square) and then Velopark (south east side of the stadium, near Asda, which is slightly nearer the away fans stadium entrance, but please note this station is closed after the game has ended). Trams are frequent on matchdays (every 6 minutes). The journey time from Piccadilly Station to the Etihad Campus stop is 8 minutes. A return ticket for this journey costs £3 for adults and £1.40 for children.
The new Metrolink stop also makes it easier to park near the motorways and get a tram into the city as the Metrolink has other lines into the city from Oldham, Eccles and Altrincham with parking facilities at several (e.g. at Ladywell near the M62/M602 from Liverpool and Whitefield (near M60 junction 17). For a PDF map showing the stops around the stadium visit the Metrolink website.
The closest railway station is Ashburys which is a short five minute train ride away from Manchester Piccadilly Station. The stadium is about a 15 minute walk away from Ashburys station. As you come out of the station turn left and after proceeding up the road you will come to the stadium on your left.
Otherwise if you have time on your hands then you can embark on the 20/25 minute walk from Piccadilly Station to the stadium. At the bottom of the main station approach turn right into Ducie Street. At the end of the road turn right onto Great Ancoats Street. Cross over the road, then the canal and turn left into Pollard Street – this is well marked as a walking route to “Sportcity”. Continue straight along Pollard Street which leads onto the A662 Ashton New Road and you will come to the stadium on your left.
A shorter route from the station is to use the new exit to Fairfield Street (the taxi rank). As you come off the platforms, it’s in the left hand corner of the main concourse. Lifts or escalators down. (There’s also an exit from the little concourse off the bridge near platforms 13/14.) At the street exit head toward the railway over bridge, under that, then left again under the railway (Travis Street continuing into Adair Street), left at the end and right into Pollard Street (then as above).
Alternatively you can get a taxi from Piccadilly Station (around £8) or a bus from Piccadilly Gardens – Go down the main approach from the station, then along London Road to Piccadilly Gardens; normal service buses (216 and 231) leave from the right (north) side of the Gardens (between Lever Street and Oldham Street) and special matchday buses just across the road – £1.90 each way. Service 53 runs round the city’s ring road and past the stadium. On the return, the special buses leave from Ashton New Road just across from the away end (down from the Fish and Chip shop).
Thanks to Steve Parish for providing the above directions and bus information.
Booking train tickets in advance will normally save you money! Find train times, prices and book tickets with Trainline. Visit the website below to see how much you can save on the price of your tickets:
Manchester Airport is located South of the City and is around ten miles away from the Etihad Stadium. A taxi from the Airport to the stadium should cost around £35. You can also take a Metrolink tram from the Airport into the City Centre and change at Cornbrook for a tram going towards Aston Under Lyne. However the total journey time is around 90 minutes. If you buy a one day (off peak weakens and after 9.30am on weekdays) Adult travelcard, which gives you unlimited tram journeys for that day, then this will cost £5.
As per an agreement with all Premier League Clubs, away fans will be charged a maximum price of those shown below for all League games:
South Stand (all tiers)
Adults £30
Over 65’s £20
Under 22’s £20
Under 16’s £15
Official Programme: £3
King Of The Kippax Fanzine: £3
Manchester City FC fixture list (takes you to the BBC Sports Website).
For details of disabled facilities and club contact at the ground please visit the relevant page on the Level Playing Field website.
After playing at Maine Road for 80 years, the Club moved three and a half miles to the then called City Of Manchester Stadium in August 2003. The stadium was originally built for the Commonwealth Games, which were held in 2002 and cost in the region of £90m to construct. It was designed by Arup Sport, who were also involved with the Allianz Arena in Munich and the Olympic ‘Birds Nest’ Stadium in Beijing, it was built by Laing Construction. It was officially opened by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on 25th July 2002. The stadium was constructed on the site of the former Bradford Coal Mine, in an area of Manchester known as Eastlands. The stadium had an initial seated capacity of 41,000 (including 3,000 temporary seats). The Etihad Stadium is still owned by Manchester City Council.
After that event it was agreed that Manchester City Football Club would become the new tenants, thus incurring the envy of clubs who would also relish the chance to gain such a wonderful stadium. £42m was spent in refitting costs, £20m of which was funded by the Club. The works included the removal of the running track and extending the stands further downwards, so that the spectator areas are closer to the playing action. This increased the capacity to 48,000. A roof was also added to one end of the stadium. In 2015 an additional third tier was added to the South Stand, as well as three further rows of seating in front of some of the existing stands, taking the capacity to 55,097.
Apart from hosting football matches, the Etihad Stadium has also hosted other sports such as Rugby and Boxing, as well as serving as a concert venue, for such bands as U2 and Oasis.
The club offer daily tours of the Etihad Stadium. The tours cost; Adults £17, Over 65’s £12, Under 16’s £11. The tour lasts around 70 minutes and visitors are taken around by a knowledgeable tour guide. The tour includes a look behind the scenes, such as the media room, dressing rooms, corporate facilities, warm up training area and Club Museum. Visitors are also taken to pitch side. Tours should be booked in advance by calling: 0161 444 1894 (Option 4) or can be booked online.
Maine Road (1923 – 2003)
Hyde Road (1894 – 1923)
As Ardwick FC
Pink Bank Lane (1887 – 1894)
As St Marks Church Team
Queens Road (1884 -1887)
Kirkmanshulme Cricket Ground (1881 – 1884)
Clowes Street (1880 – 1881)
Man City vs Man Utd rivalry: The fact both teams reside in Manchester is the key to this rivalry historically with very few miles between the two grounds. The rivalry has existed since the dawn of time and whilst moments like the Denis Law goal (the then City forward scored a back heel to all but relegate his former love, United) and Roy Keane vs Alf Haaland are huge paragraphs in the history it’s the shadow cast by the Red half that is the biggest chapter.
Most people disliked the big boys of Old Trafford but City had to live with it day in, day out. Sir Alex Ferguson put his side so far ahead of City the derby game became insignificant for United. City have struck back in the last decade though and the match is absolutely massive again with many believing Manchester is indeed blue.
Man City vs Liverpool rivalry: Some is will question the legitimacy of Man City vs Liverpool as a rivalry with both definitely holding a greater dislike for Man United. That said, new rivalries have to emerge from somewhere and this game has some sauce to it nowadays. It’s underpinned by two factors; one it’s Pep Guardiola vs Jurgen Klopp and two the two teams have been the pacesetters in the Premier League for a few years now meaning the games between them take on huge significance.
Record Attendance
At The Etihad Stadium:
54,693 v Leicester City
Premier League, 6th February 2016.
At Maine Road:
84,569 v Stoke City
FA Cup 6th Round, 3rd March 1934.
Average Attendance
2019-2020: 54,219 (Premier League)
2018-2019: 54,130 (Premier League)
2017-2018: 54,070 (Premier League)
Etihad Campus
Just across the road from the Etihad Stadium and connected by a large white walkway, is the impressive looking Etihad Campus. This features the Manchester City Academy, including the 7,000 capacity Academy Stadium, which is used by amongst others, the Manchester City Womens Team. The Campus covers a total of 80 acres and includes training facilities, featuring 15 outdoor pitches, as well as indoor gyms and swimming pools. It is truly on a monumental scale and is far ahead of any other Club’s facilities in the league.
Athletics Stadium
Behind the Colin Bell Stand and main club entrance is a small athletics stadium. This was originally used as a warm up area, for athletes competing in the Commonwealth Games, which were held in 2002 at the then called City Of Manchester Stadium. Outside the Athletics Stadium is a bronze sculpture of an athlete.
National Football Museum
If arriving in Manchester City Centre before the game and you have a bit of time on your hands, then located near Manchester Victoria station is the National Football Museum. It is free to enter and has something of interest for every true football fan. National Football Museum Location Map.
Official Web Site:
Unofficial Web Sites:
Unofficial Man City
MCFC Stats
Centenary Supporters Association
King of the Kippax Blog
Official Supporters Club
Manchester City Blogs
If anything is incorrect or you have something to add, please e-mail me at: contact@footballgroundguide.com and I’ll update the guide.
Special thanks to:
Owen Pavey for providing the ground layout diagram
Haydn Gleed for providing the YouTube video of the Etihad Stadium
Mark Hulston for providing the photo of the newly expanded South Stand.
Manchester City Stadium Tours for the photos of the Main Stand and the Etihad Stadium lit up at night.
Ian Purves a visiting Wolverhampton Wanderers fan for the photo of the view from the away section, upper third tier.
Content retrieved from: https://footballgroundguide.com/leagues/england/premier-league/etihad-stadium-manchester-city.html.
