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Etihad Stadium
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Manchester, United Kingdom, Stadium

Etihad Stadium

Manchester City's home and the north's biggest concert stage

The Etihad sits two miles east of the city centre, with its white cable masts and spiral ramp towers visible from across Manchester. It's the home of Manchester City and the city's main stadium for summer stadium tours, from Oasis homecomings to the biggest pop shows.

Capacity
about 61,000
Opened
2002
Architect
Arup Associates
Home of
Manchester City

Getting there

Ashton New Rd, Manchester M11 3FF

NavigateOpen in Google Maps

Departures

  • Metrolink to Etihad CampusTram on the Ashton line from Piccadilly or Piccadilly Gardens, about 10 minutes. Velopark stop is a short walk too and less crowded.
  • Walk from Piccadilly stationAbout 30 minutes on foot through Ancoats and New Islington. After the show it's often quicker than the tram queue.
  • Matchday buses from Piccadilly GardensBuses along Ashton New Road and Ashton Old Road stop close to the stadium. Expect heavy traffic before kick-off.

After the show

Tram queues at Etihad Campus can last an hour after a concert. Walk 10 minutes to Velopark stop, or walk back towards Ancoats and the city centre.

Bags and entry

Bags larger than A4 are not allowed, and there's no left-luggage at the stadium. Bring a small bag or clear bag only.

  • Power bank

    Small power banks are usually allowed. Charge it before you go, mobile data gets slow with a full crowd.

  • Umbrella

    Umbrellas aren't allowed inside. Bring a rain poncho instead.

  • Paying inside

    The Etihad is cashless. Pay by card or phone everywhere inside.

On the day

When the gates open

Gates usually open 90 minutes before kick-off. Arrive early to visit City Square, the fan zone outside the stadium with live music and food.

Eat and drink before

  • City Square

    The club's fan zone outside the East Stand, with bars, street food and a stage before every home game.

  • Mackie Mayor

    Food hall in a restored market building in the Northern Quarter, perfect before heading east.

  • Ancoats

    The neighbourhood on the walk to the stadium, full of pizza, bakeries and craft beer bars.

Home club

Manchester City crest

Manchester City

The Citizens

Founded
1880
Plays here since
2003

Founded in east Manchester as St. Mark's West Gorton, City moved here from Maine Road in 2003. In the last decade the club has turned the Etihad into the home of the most successful team in England.

Biggest honours

  • Champions League winners in 2023
  • The 2023 treble of league, FA Cup and Champions League
  • Six Premier League titles in seven seasons, 2018 to 2024

Legends who played here

  • Colin Bell
  • Vincent Kompany
  • Sergio Agüero
  • David Silva
  • Yaya Touré
  • Kevin De Bruyne

Seating layout

Capacity: About 53,400 before the North Stand was expanded123StageFloor

Tap a tier or the floor to see what it is like

Pitch / stage

Pitch / floor

Tier by tier

  1. 1

    Level 1

    The lower tier, close to the pitch and added when the stadium was converted for football.

  2. 2

    Level 2

    The middle tier, with the best balance of height and distance on the long sides.

  3. 3

    Level 3

    The upper tier, steep and high, with views over east Manchester.

Seating tips

  • The East and West Stands run along the pitch and give the best overall view.
  • For concerts the stage is usually at the South Stand end, so the North Stand faces it head-on but is furthest away.
  • Level 3 is steep. If you don't like heights, stick to Level 1 or 2.

Where to sit

  • Best for a concert

    East or West Stand, Level 2 near the stage

    A side-on view of the stage with clear sight of the screens and good sound.

  • Best for football

    East or West Stand, Level 1 or 2 near halfway

    The classic side-on view. Level 2 shows the shape of the game best.

  • On a budget

    North or South Stand, Level 3

    Usually the cheapest seats, high up but with a full view of the bowl.

  • In the shade

    West Stand

    For evening concerts the West Stand gets shade first, and its roof keeps most rain off.

Tap a year or let the story play

History

Etihad Stadium, 2002Etihad Stadium, 2002Etihad Stadium, 2002Etihad Stadium, 2002Etihad Stadium, 2002Etihad Stadium, 2002Etihad Stadium, 2002Etihad Stadium, 2002

01 / 08

2002

Opens as the main stadium of the Commonwealth Games

Read the full story

The stadium was built for the 2002 Commonwealth Games as an athletics venue. After the Games the track was removed, the pitch was dug down several metres and a new lower tier of seats was added.

Manchester City moved in from Maine Road in 2003. The club renamed the ground the Etihad Stadium in 2011, and the area around it became the Etihad Campus with the club's academy and training ground.

A third tier on the South Stand opened in 2015, and the expanded North Stand, with a hotel, fan zone and new upper tier, has lifted capacity to about 61,000. Oasis played their legendary homecoming shows here in 2005 and 2009.

Legendary nights

Admit one

Etihad Stadium

2005

Oasis come home

The Gallagher brothers, both lifelong City fans, played two huge nights at their club's new stadium. They came back for three more in 2009.

Admit one

Etihad Stadium

2008

UEFA Cup final

Around 100,000 Rangers fans travelled to Manchester for the final against Zenit, most of them without tickets.

Admit one

Etihad Stadium

2012

93:20

Sergio Agüero scored in stoppage time against QPR to win City's first league title in 44 years. The exact time is now painted around the stadium.

Admit one

Etihad Stadium

2023

Real Madrid 4-0

A rainy semi-final night when City swept aside the Champions League holders, then went on to win the trophy in Istanbul.

Questions fans ask

Can I visit the Etihad Stadium?

Yes, Manchester City runs stadium tours on most non-match days, including the dressing room and tunnel.

How do I get to the Etihad Stadium?

Take the Metrolink tram to Etihad Campus or Velopark, or walk about 30 minutes from Piccadilly station.

Is the Etihad Stadium covered?

The roof covers almost all seats, but the pitch and the front rows can get wet in sideways rain.

When do the gates open at the Etihad?

Usually 90 minutes before kick-off for football and about 3 hours before a concert. Check your ticket for the exact time.

Did you know?

01 / 04

The pitch sits several metres below ground level, dug out when the athletics track was removed.

Where to stay nearby

Piccadilly

Next to the main train station and Metrolink trams straight to the stadium.

4-star+ hotels, cheapest first(Booking.com)

Northern Quarter

Independent bars, record shops and street art, the liveliest area after a show.

4-star+ hotels, cheapest first(Booking.com)

Ancoats

Old mills turned into flats and restaurants, and the closest walk to the Etihad.

4-star+ hotels, cheapest first(Booking.com)

Upcoming events at Etihad Stadium

Live from Ticketmaster, with full trip prices.