The Etihad Stadium has been the home of Manchester City since 2003. It was built for the 2002 Commonwealth Games and converted into a football ground afterwards, and it has since been expanded several times so that it now holds well over 50,000 supporters. The stadium sits in east Manchester within the Etihad Campus, a short tram ride from the centre, and the guided tour is the best way to see how a modern Premier League ground works behind the scenes. The 75-minute tour starts with an audio-visual show about the club’s history, then moves through the glass-walled tunnel that players use on match days, out to the pitchside, and into the dugout where you can sit exactly where the manager watches the game. You see a hospitality suite with a view over the pitch, and the press conference room, where an interactive display lets you take questions from a virtual Erling Haaland. A virtual reality experience is available for visitors who accept the safety waiver. The tour is led by a live English-speaking guide, which makes it much more than a self-guided walk around empty seats.
How to visit
The meeting point is Entrance M at the Etihad Stadium on Ashton New Road, and you are asked to arrive about fifteen minutes before your tour starts. The nearest Metrolink stop is Etihad Campus, on the line from Piccadilly and Victoria through the city centre, and the journey from Piccadilly Gardens takes around ten minutes.
If you drive, the Yellow Car Park has been free on non-match days subject to availability, with charges possible on match days. Bags larger than A4 are not allowed and there is no storage, so leave luggage at your hotel. The ticket can be cancelled or rescheduled free of charge until 24 hours before the visit.
What to expect
The tour runs for about an hour and a quarter, with a good deal of standing and walking, though the route is wheelchair accessible and the stadium can offer a stair-free route, quiet spaces and a tactile touch-tour for visitors who need them. Tour availability changes around fixtures, so choose a date away from a home game. Visitors receive a discount at the City Store, which is the natural stop at the end of the visit.
Making the most of it
The area around the stadium has been transformed in recent years, with the City Football Academy and the arena complex next door, and the whole campus is a pleasant place to walk before or after the tour. Pair it with the Old Trafford tour on the other side of the city to compare the two grounds, and finish at the National Football Museum in Cathedral Gardens, which tells the story of the sport from its beginnings to the present day. If you are a fan who likes to see the city’s football geography, the football heritage walking tour in the centre is a good extra.
Good to know
Tour times are limited, so a morning or early afternoon slot on a non-match day is the safest choice. The stadium sits within a large sports and leisure campus, and the area is exposed to the wind, so a jacket is useful even on mild days. Children are welcome and usually enjoy the interactive elements, though the tour is pitched mainly at adults and older children. If you have a few hours spare, the campus has places to eat and a short walk to the nearby sports facilities.
What to expect
The experience
A guided tour led by a live English-speaking guide, covering the glass tunnel, dugout, pitchside, press room and a hospitality suite.
Best time
A weekday on a non-match day, when the full route is open.
How long
About 75 minutes, plus time to arrive early and visit the City Store.
Tips
Arrive fifteen minutes early to Entrance M, and leave bags bigger than A4 at your hotel because there is no storage.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Manchester City fans and football lovers who want a modern, guided stadium tour with some interactive elements.
- Families
- The virtual reality experience, the dugout seat and the tunnel walk keep children interested.
- Couples
- A short, well-paced tour that fits into a half-day with lunch in the city centre.
- Pair with
- The Old Trafford tour and the National Football Museum for a full football weekend.
- Time needed
- About two hours including the tram ride.
Good questions
How long is the Etihad Stadium tour?+
The tour lasts about 75 minutes. Arrive around fifteen minutes before the start time at Entrance M.
What can I see on the Etihad Stadium tour?+
You walk the glass tunnel, sit in the dugout, see the pitch from pitchside, visit a hospitality suite and the press conference room. A virtual reality experience is also available.
How do I get to the Etihad Stadium?+
Take the Metrolink to the Etihad Campus stop, about ten minutes from Piccadilly Gardens. The stadium is a short walk from the stop.
Can I bring a bag on the Etihad tour?+
Bags larger than A4 are not allowed and there is no storage, so leave bigger items at your hotel.
Is the Etihad Stadium tour accessible?+
Yes, the tour is wheelchair accessible, and the stadium can provide a stair-free route, quiet spaces and a tactile tour for visually impaired visitors. Contact the venue ahead if you need support.