Manchester, United Kingdom, Stadium

Old Trafford

The Theatre of Dreams, home of Manchester United since 1910

Old Trafford stands beside the Bridgewater Canal, about three miles south-west of Manchester city centre. It's the biggest club ground in Britain and a pilgrimage for football fans from all over the world, with statues of Busby, Ferguson and the United Trinity outside.

Capacity: about 74,000
Opened: 1910
Architect: Archibald Leitch
Home of: Manchester United

Getting there

Sir Matt Busby Way, Old Trafford, Manchester M16 0RA

Navigate Open in Google Maps

Departures

Metrolink to Old TraffordTram on the Altrincham line from Piccadilly or St Peter's Square, about 15 minutes, then a 10-minute walk. The same stop also serves the cricket ground.
Metrolink to Exchange QuayOn the Eccles line, a short walk along the canal to the stadium and usually less crowded.
Walk from DeansgateAbout 30 minutes on foot along Chester Road from the city centre. The small Manchester United Football Ground station by the South Stand is closed indefinitely, so don't plan around it.

After the show

Tram queues after the game can be long. Walk along the canal to Exchange Quay or Salford Quays, or wait for the crowds to clear at a pub on Chester Road.

Bags and entry

Only small bags up to 20 x 15 x 5 cm are allowed inside. Larger bags can be left at the paid bag drop outside the stadium.

Power bank
Small power banks are usually allowed. Charge it before you go, mobile data gets slow with a full crowd.
Umbrella
Only small foldable umbrellas get in. Large or golf umbrellas are refused, so a poncho is safer.
Paying inside
Old Trafford 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 see the statues of Busby, Ferguson and the United Trinity on the forecourt.

Eat and drink before

Sir Matt Busby Way
The road to the stadium, lined with burger vans, chip shops and fanzine sellers on match days.
Salford Quays
Restaurants and bars by the water, a calm place to eat before the walk to the ground.
Hotel Football
Opposite the stadium, with a bar and restaurant full of fans before the game.

Home club

Manchester United

The Red Devils

Founded: 1878
Plays here since: 1910

Founded by railway workers as Newton Heath, United moved to Old Trafford in 1910. Under Sir Matt Busby and later Sir Alex Ferguson the club became one of the most famous in the world.

Biggest honours

European Cup and Champions League winners in 1968, 1999 and 2008
20 English league titles, a record shared with Liverpool
The 1999 treble of league, FA Cup and Champions League

Legends who played here

Bobby Charlton
George Best
Denis Law
Eric Cantona
Ryan Giggs
Cristiano Ronaldo

Seating layout

Capacity: The biggest club stadium in the UK

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

Pitch / stage

Pitch

Tier by tier

1
Lower tier
Runs all around the pitch and puts you close to the players.
2
Second tier
The middle level of the Sir Alex Ferguson, East and West Stands, with the best view of the game.
3
Third tier
The top of the Sir Alex Ferguson Stand, high and steep, with views over Salford Quays.

Seating tips

The Sir Bobby Charlton Stand (South Stand) has only one tier because of the railway line behind it, so all its seats are close to the pitch.
The Stretford End (West Stand) is where the loudest home fans sit.
Away fans sit in the corner between the South and East Stands.

Where to sit

Best for a concert
East or West Stand, second tier
A raised end-on view of a stage set up in front of the South Stand.
Best for football
Sir Alex Ferguson Stand, second tier near halfway
The classic side-on view with the whole pitch in front of you.
On a budget
Sir Alex Ferguson Stand, third tier
Usually the cheapest general seats, high up but with a full view of the bowl.
In the shade
Sir Alex Ferguson Stand
The huge cantilever roof keeps most rain off and the stand faces away from the low sun.

Tap a year or let the story play

History

01 / 07

1910

Opens with a match against Liverpool

Read the full story

Old Trafford was designed by Archibald Leitch and opened in February 1910. German bombs destroyed most of the stadium in 1941, and United played at Manchester City's Maine Road until they came home in 1949.

The first cantilever stand was built for the 1966 World Cup. Over the next decades the terraces became seats, and the huge three-tier North Stand opened in 1996, now named after Sir Alex Ferguson.

The stadium has hosted World Cup and European Championship games, the 2003 Champions League final and the 2012 Olympic football. In 2025 the club announced plans for a new 100,000-seat stadium next door.

Legendary nights

Admit one

Old Trafford

1941

The Blitz

A bombing raid on the nearby Trafford Park industrial area hit the stadium and destroyed the main stand. It took eight years to rebuild.

Admit one

Old Trafford

1958

Munich

After the Munich air disaster killed eight Busby Babes, a clock on the South Stand was stopped at the time of the crash. It's still there today.

Admit one

Old Trafford

2003

All-Italian final

Milan and Juventus met in the Champions League final, and Milan won on penalties after a 0-0 draw.

Admit one

Old Trafford

2022

Women's Euro opener

A record crowd watched England beat Austria in the first game of the tournament England went on to win.

Questions fans ask

Can I visit Old Trafford?

Yes, the stadium tour and museum are open on most non-match days, including the dressing room and the tunnel.

How do I get to Old Trafford?

Take the Metrolink tram to Old Trafford or Exchange Quay, or walk about 30 minutes from the city centre. The matchday train station next to the stadium is currently closed.

Is Old Trafford the same as Emirates Old Trafford?

No. Old Trafford is the Manchester United football stadium. Emirates Old Trafford is the cricket ground nearby, where many summer concerts take place.

When do the gates open at Old Trafford?

Usually 90 minutes before kick-off. Check your ticket for the exact time.

Did you know?

01 / 04

Bobby Charlton gave the stadium its nickname, the Theatre of Dreams.

Planning the whole trip?

Read our Manchester guide: where to stay, getting around, food and local tips.

Open the Manchester guide

Upcoming events at Old Trafford

Live from Ticketmaster, with full trip prices.

Old Trafford