Football and Manchester: Why the City Is Famous for Football
Manchester is one of the most famous football cities in the world, and for many visitors, football is the main reason they travel to the city. With two of the biggest clubs in global football, major stadiums, a national museum, and a strong football culture, Manchester is one of the best cities in Europe for football fans to visit.
The city is home to both Manchester United and Manchester City, two of the most successful and globally supported football clubs. Their stadiums, Old Trafford and Etihad Stadium, are major tourist attractions even when there are no matches being played.
Football in Manchester is not just about match day. Stadium tours, museums, football pubs, and matchday atmospheres mean visitors can plan an entire football-themed trip, even if they cannot get match tickets. This is why Manchester is one of the most popular cities in Europe for football tourism.
Many international visitors come to Manchester specifically to visit Old Trafford, tour the Etihad Stadium, and see the National Football Museum, making football one of the city’s biggest tourist draws.
National Football Museum Manchester
The National Football Museum is located in Manchester city centre and is one of the most important football museums in the world. If you are visiting Manchester for football, this is usually the best place to start before visiting the stadiums, as it explains the history of football in England and how the modern game developed.
The museum is located near Manchester Victoria station in the Urbis building, which means it is very easy to visit as part of a city centre day, and it can be combined with shopping, restaurants, or other Manchester attractions.
Inside the museum, visitors can see historic football shirts, trophies, medals, match balls, and exhibits about famous players and teams. There are also sections covering the origins of football, the development of the Football League, the Premier League era, international tournaments, and the cultural impact of football in England.
One of the highlights of the museum is that it includes interactive exhibits where visitors can take penalties, test reaction speed, and try football skill challenges, which makes the museum suitable for both adults and families.
In terms of cost, the National Football Museum now charges for entry rather than being completely free, although prices are still relatively reasonable compared to many tourist attractions.
Typical ticket prices are approximately:
- Adults: around £14
- Children: around £7
- Family tickets available
- Under 5s free
Prices can change, so visitors should always check the official website before visiting.
Most visitors spend around one to two hours in the museum, although serious football fans may stay longer. Because it is indoors and located in the city centre, it is also a very good rainy-day activity in Manchester.
For visitors planning a football trip to Manchester, the National Football Museum works very well on the same day as exploring the city centre, while Old Trafford and the Etihad Stadium are usually visited on separate days or separate half-day trips.
Overall, the museum is one of the best football museums in Europe and an important stop for football fans visiting Manchester.
Manchester United: Old Trafford Stadium Tours and Museum
A visit to Old Trafford is one of the main reasons many football fans travel to Manchester. Known as “The Theatre of Dreams,” Old Trafford is one of the most famous football stadiums in the world and has been Manchester United’s home since 1910.
The stadium tour allows visitors to go behind the scenes and see areas normally only accessible to players and staff. This usually includes the home dressing room, the players’ tunnel, the pitchside area, the dugouts, the press room, and the directors’ box. Visitors also get access to the Manchester United Museum, which contains trophies, historic kits, and exhibits covering the club’s history from the early days through to the Sir Alex Ferguson era and modern Premier League success.
Most stadium tours last around 70 to 90 minutes, but visitors should allow at least two to three hours in total to include the museum and the megastore, which is one of the largest football club shops in the UK.
Ticket prices are usually approximately:
- Adults: around £30
- Children: around £18
- Family tickets available
It is strongly recommended to book stadium tours in advance, especially during weekends, school holidays, and summer, as Old Trafford is one of the most visited stadium tours in Europe.
Old Trafford is located about 3 miles from Manchester city centre and is easy to reach using the Metrolink tram. Visitors usually take the tram to Old Trafford or Wharfside stops, and the stadium is a short walk from both.
Even for visitors who are not Manchester United fans, Old Trafford is one of the most famous football stadiums in the world, and the tour is very popular with international visitors.
Manchester City: Etihad Stadium Tours
The Etihad Stadium is home to Manchester City and is located to the east of Manchester city centre. The stadium is much newer than Old Trafford and offers a very modern stadium tour experience with interactive displays and multimedia elements.
The Etihad Stadium tour allows visitors to see behind the scenes areas such as the dressing rooms, tunnel, pitchside areas, press conference room, and hospitality areas. The tour also includes interactive screens and videos explaining the history of Manchester City and the development of the club in recent years.
Tours usually last around 60 to 75 minutes, and visitors should allow around two hours total including the shop and visitor centre.
Typical ticket prices are approximately:
- Adults: around £28
- Children: around £18
- Family tickets available
The Etihad Stadium is very easy to reach from Manchester city centre using the Metrolink tram to Etihad Campus, which takes about 10 minutes. From the tram stop, the stadium is only a short walk away.
Many visitors choose to visit both Old Trafford and the Etihad Stadium, as the stadiums are very different in style and history, and together they represent the two sides of Manchester football.
Seeing a Football Match in Manchester
For many visitors, the ultimate football experience in Manchester is attending a live match, but it is important to understand that getting tickets for Premier League matches can be difficult, especially for Manchester United and Manchester City games.
Most league matches sell out to season ticket holders and club members, so tourists usually have limited options. The easiest ways for visitors to attend matches are usually:
- Official club hospitality packages
- Domestic cup matches
- Pre-season matches
- Less high-profile league matches
Visitors should always buy tickets only from official club websites or authorised ticket sellers, as unofficial ticket resale is common and can be risky.
Match days in Manchester have a very strong atmosphere, especially around the stadiums and nearby pubs. Many fans arrive two to three hours before kick-off, and the area around the stadium becomes very busy with food stalls, merchandise sellers, and supporters gathering before the game.
Even if you cannot get match tickets, visiting the stadium area on match day can still be an interesting experience, as the atmosphere around Old Trafford and the Etihad Stadium is very lively.
Match Day Tips in Manchester
Match days in Manchester are very busy, especially on the tram system and roads near the stadiums. Planning ahead can make the day much easier.
One of the most important tips is to arrive early, as trams and roads become very crowded close to kick-off time. Many fans travel at least one hour before the match.
The Metrolink tram system is usually the easiest way to get to both Old Trafford and the Etihad Stadium, but after matches the trams can be extremely busy, and queues are common.
Visitors should also remember that you cannot drink alcohol in view of the pitch in English football stadiums, although alcohol is usually available in stadium concourses before the match and at half time.
Bag sizes are often restricted, and security checks are in place at stadium entrances, so bringing small bags is recommended.
Finally, the weather in Manchester can change quickly, and many stadium seats are exposed, so bringing a rain jacket is often a good idea, even if the weather forecast looks good.
How to Get to Old Trafford and Etihad Stadium
Both football stadiums in Manchester are easy to reach from the city centre using public transport, and most visitors use the Metrolink tram system, which is usually the fastest and easiest way to travel on match days and for stadium tours.
To reach Old Trafford, visitors usually take the tram from Manchester city centre towards Altrincham or Eccles and get off at either Old Trafford or Wharfside tram stops. From both stops, it is about a 5–10 minute walk to the stadium. The journey from the city centre usually takes around 15 minutes in total.
Another option is to take a train from Manchester Piccadilly or Oxford Road towards Manchester United Football Ground station on match days, although this station is usually only used during major events and matches.
To reach Etihad Stadium, the easiest route is to take the Metrolink tram from Manchester Piccadilly or the city centre to Etihad Campus stop. The journey takes around 10 minutes, and from the tram stop it is only a short walk to the stadium.
Walking to the Etihad Stadium from the city centre is also possible and takes around 30–40 minutes, although most visitors prefer the tram.
On match days, trams run very frequently to both stadiums, but they can be extremely busy before and after matches, so visitors should allow extra time for travel.
Overall, Manchester’s public transport system makes both stadiums very easy to visit even without a car, which is one of the reasons football tourism works so well in the city.
Football Pubs and Places to Watch Football in Manchester
Even if you are not attending a match, Manchester is a great city for watching football because there are many sports bars and football pubs showing Premier League and Champions League matches.
In Manchester city centre, many pubs and bars show live football, especially around areas such as:
- Northern Quarter
- Printworks
- Deansgate
- Oxford Road
These areas have sports bars, pubs, and restaurants with large screens, and the atmosphere can be very lively during big matches, especially when Manchester United or Manchester City are playing.
Near Old Trafford, there are several pubs where Manchester United fans gather before matches, and the area around the stadium becomes very busy on match days. Similarly, near the Etihad Stadium, there are bars and fan areas where Manchester City supporters gather before games.
Watching a football match in a Manchester pub can be almost as interesting as going to the stadium, especially for big matches, derby matches, or Champions League games.
For visitors who cannot get match tickets, watching a game in a Manchester football pub is still a great football experience, and it is a big part of football culture in England.
Frequently Asked Questions About Football in Manchester
Can you visit Old Trafford without a match ticket?
Yes, visitors can book a stadium tour and museum visit at Old Trafford even when there are no matches.
Can you tour the Etihad Stadium?
Yes, Manchester City offers stadium tours that include behind-the-scenes areas such as the dressing rooms and tunnel.
How far is Old Trafford from Manchester city centre?
Old Trafford is about 3 miles from the city centre and usually takes around 15 minutes by tram.
Which stadium is closer to Manchester city centre?
The Etihad Stadium is slightly closer to the city centre than Old Trafford.
Is the National Football Museum worth visiting?
Yes, especially for football fans. It covers the history of football in England and includes interactive exhibits and historic football items.
Rupert’s Handy Travel Tips
Visiting Manchester for football? These tips will make your trip much easier:
- Book stadium tours early: Old Trafford tours are very popular and can sell out during weekends and summer.
- Use the tram to get to stadiums: Metrolink is usually the easiest way to reach both Old Trafford and the Etihad Stadium.
- Arrive early on match days: Trams and roads get very busy close to kick-off time.
- Bring a rain jacket: Manchester weather changes quickly and many stadium seats are exposed.
Want to meet the reindeer behind our travel tips? Find out more in our page Who is Rupert?.
Further Reading & Related Travel Guides
Planning your trip to Manchester for football, events or sightseeing? These related guides will help you get around the city, plan your visit and make the most of your time in Manchester.
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Last Updated
This Football in Manchester travel guide was last updated in March 2026. Stadium tour prices, transport routes, and ticket information may change, so always check official club websites before travelling.
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