Football trip to Manchester
Manchester, England
Plan your Manchester trip
Compare tickets, flights and hotels in one search.
Manchester is home to two of England's biggest clubs — Manchester United at Old Trafford and Manchester City at the Etihad. With a third (Salford City) on the rise and the city's famous nightlife, Manchester is one of the easiest big football weekends in Europe.
This guide covers airports, hotels, transport and how to plan a Manchester trip around the fixture calendar.
Stadium information
- Capacity
- Old Trafford 74,310 · Etihad 53,400 (expanding)
- Opened
- Old Trafford 1910 · Etihad 2002
United matchdays have the scale and history; City matchdays have the modern infrastructure and a side currently among the best in Europe.
Nearby airports
Manchester (MAN)
15-20 km from both grounds; direct train to Piccadilly
Liverpool John Lennon (LPL)
55 km; useful for a Liverpool double-header
Where to stay
City centre (Piccadilly / Northern Quarter)
Best food and nightlife; tram to both stadiums.
Deansgate
Upmarket bars and restaurants, walkable to Spinningfields and the centre.
Ancoats
Trendy modern district; walkable to the Etihad along the Ashton Canal.
Tickets
Both clubs run membership ballots. Hospitality on each club's official site is the most reliable guaranteed-seat option.
Cup ties and lower-priced Carabao Cup games offer more accessible options for first-time visitors.
United + City in one weekend
When the fixture calendar allows, a Saturday United game and a Sunday City game (or vice versa) is the dream Manchester weekend. Both clubs sometimes play at home on the same weekend; sometimes one is away — plan ahead.
Add a Tuesday or Wednesday Champions League fixture and you can pack three games into four days.
Beyond football
The Northern Quarter has the best independent bars and food; Spinningfields and Deansgate are upmarket; Ancoats is the food and drink district du jour. The National Football Museum, IWM North in Salford and the Science and Industry Museum fill non-football mornings.
FAQs
Which airport is best?+
Manchester is closest with great international links and a direct train to Piccadilly.
Can I see United and City in one weekend?+
Sometimes yes — check the fixture calendar for weekends with both at home.
How do I get to Old Trafford and the Etihad?+
Both are on the Metrolink (tram). Old Trafford via Altrincham/Eccles lines; Etihad via the Eastlands line.
Where should I stay?+
Piccadilly or Northern Quarter for the best tram access to both grounds and the best food/nightlife.
Is Manchester safe for travelling fans?+
Yes — both clubs are well-organised for visiting supporters, with dedicated away ends.
Related guides
Plan your Manchester trip
Compare tickets, flights and hotels in one search.