Manchester City away day guide
Manchester, England
Plan your Manchester City trip
Compare tickets, flights and hotels in one search.
Manchester City have spent the last decade as England's most consistent side and one of the best teams in European football. The Etihad Stadium, a 15-minute tram ride from the city centre, is being expanded to over 60,000 seats and has become a fixture of the European calendar.
This guide covers tickets, the best way to get to East Manchester, where to stay, and how to plan a Champions League or Premier League trip to the Etihad.
Stadium information
- Capacity
- 53,400 (expanding to ~61,000)
- Opened
- 2002 (City moved in 2003)
- Address
- Ashton New Road, Manchester M11 3FF
The Etihad's atmosphere has built season by season. Big European nights and Manchester derbies are loud; midweek lower-league cup ties less so.
Nearby airports
Manchester (MAN)
20 km / 20 min by taxi
Direct trains to Piccadilly, then 10 min on the tram.
Liverpool John Lennon (LPL)
60 km
Where to stay
City centre (Piccadilly / Northern Quarter)
Tram straight to the Etihad in 10-12 minutes; best food and nightlife.
Ancoats
Walkable to the Etihad via the Ashton Canal; lots of new restaurants and bars.
Salford Quays
Cheaper hotels with easy Metrolink access — useful if you are also visiting Old Trafford.
Tickets
Cityzens Membership unlocks the main ticket ballot for City home games. Hospitality packages through the official site offer a guaranteed seat and are popular with overseas fans.
Avoid resale outside of City's official platform — touts on Joe Mercer Way and Ashton New Road are heavily policed.
Why visit the Etihad
Watching the current City side live is a privilege — passing patterns, pressing triggers and tempo that look manufactured on TV are extraordinary in person. The Etihad's wide concourses, modern facilities and Tunnel Club views also make it one of the easiest premium-experience grounds in England.
Pair a City match with a tour of the Etihad Campus, which includes the academy buildings and the City Football Academy — one of the best behind-the-scenes football experiences in Europe.
Matchday in East Manchester
The Metrolink Etihad Campus stop is 30 seconds from the ground. Trams run every few minutes from St Peter's Square and Piccadilly — leave 90 minutes before kick-off to be comfortable.
Pre-match pubs are limited near the ground itself (Mary D's, The Townley, fan zones in the East Stand), so most travelling fans drink in the city centre and tram out together.
FAQs
Is the Etihad easy to get to?+
Yes. The Metrolink Etihad Campus stop is directly outside the stadium, 10-15 minutes from Manchester city centre.
How do I get City tickets?+
Cityzens Membership for the ticket ballot, or official hospitality for a guaranteed seat.
Where do away fans sit?+
The South Stand lower tier behind the goal, with around 3,000 seats.
Is there a stadium tour?+
Yes — the City Tour includes the changing rooms, the tunnel and a walk through the academy buildings.
Can I combine City and United on one weekend?+
Often yes — both clubs are sometimes scheduled to play at home in the same weekend.
Related guides
Plan your Manchester City trip
Compare tickets, flights and hotels in one search.