Match days at Old Trafford and the Etihad by car
Getting to and from a big game in Manchester takes some planning.
Manchester has two of the biggest football grounds in the country, and on match days the roads around them change completely. We take fans to and from games most weekends of the season. Here is what we have learned about making match day travel work.
The two grounds
Old Trafford
Old Trafford, home of Manchester United, is in Trafford, south-west of the city centre, close to Salford Quays and the Bridgewater Canal. Emirates Old Trafford, the cricket ground, is less than a mile away, so on days when both have events the area is especially busy.
The Etihad Stadium
The Etihad Stadium, home of Manchester City, is in east Manchester on the Etihad Campus, around two miles from the city centre. The Co-op Live arena is right next to it, so on days when there is a match and a concert, the whole area is very busy.
What changes on match day
On match days, Greater Manchester Police, the clubs and the council put traffic management in place around the grounds. That can include:
- road closures close to the stadium before and after the game
- restrictions on where cars can stop or wait
- queues on the main roads leading in and out
- large crowds walking on roads and pavements
The details depend on the fixture, the kick-off time and the expected crowd, and they change. The clubs publish travel information for each match, so check their websites before you go.
For us, it means that cars usually can't drop off right outside the ground. We drop you at the nearest sensible point, usually a short walk away, where it is safe for you to get out and for the car to leave.
Getting there
We suggest arriving well before kick-off. The closer to kick-off you leave it, the slower the roads get and the further away you may need to be dropped. As a rough rule, aim to be dropped off at least an hour before kick-off, more for big games or cup matches.
If you are coming from outside Manchester, add the drive time on top. From Bolton, Wigan or Cheshire, the motorways can be busy on match days as well, especially the M60 near the grounds.
Coming from the airport
If you are flying into Manchester for a game, we can collect you from the airport and take you to your hotel or straight to the ground. Give yourself plenty of time between landing and kick-off. Flights get delayed, and passport queues can be long.
Getting home after the game
This is the hard part. Everybody leaves at once, and for a while after the final whistle the roads near the ground are very slow. There are a few ways to make it easier:
- Agree a pickup point in advance. We will suggest one that is a short walk from the ground and easy for the car to reach. Don't expect a pickup at the stadium gates.
- Allow for a wait. The car may need some time to get to you through the traffic. A bit of patience helps.
- Keep your phone charged. The driver will call or message when they are close. Phone signal around a full stadium can be poor, so agree the meeting point before the game.
- Consider waiting a while. Some fans have a drink or a meal nearby and leave once the crowds have gone. That can mean a much quicker drive home.
Hourly hire for match days
For a group, a corporate day out or a hospitality package, hourly hire can be simpler than two separate bookings. The car and driver stay with you for the time you book, take you to the ground, collect you afterwards and take you on to dinner or home. Choose "by the hour" in the booking form.
Groups of fans
If there is a group of you, one vehicle is usually easier and better value than several cars. Our people carrier takes five passengers, and our 8 seater and 16 seater buses take bigger groups. Everyone travels together and you only need one pickup point after the game.
Please remember that our drivers can refuse to carry passengers who are drunk or abusive, and the usual rules on behaviour apply in every vehicle. Most groups are no trouble at all, and we want to keep it that way.
Cricket and other events
Emirates Old Trafford hosts county cricket, international matches and concerts in the summer. The planning is the same as for football. Test matches and one-day internationals bring big crowds and long days, so agree a pickup time with some flexibility in case of rain delays or a match that finishes early.
The Etihad Stadium also hosts concerts and other events outside the football season. Our guide to concerts at Co-op Live and the AO Arena has more on those nights.
Hospitality and corporate guests
Many businesses use match days to entertain clients. If you are bringing guests to a hospitality package, our executive cars (Mercedes E-Class or S-Class, or similar) and the Mercedes V-Class people carrier are a good choice. We can collect guests from hotels, the airport or Piccadilly station and take them home afterwards. For regular bookings like this, a corporate account makes life easier.
Getting to the airport on a match day
If you are flying on a match day, check the fixtures. The M60 and the roads around Trafford and east Manchester can be slow for a couple of hours before kick-off and after the final whistle. If your pickup is in Stretford, Old Trafford, Salford Quays, Openshaw or Beswick, tell us when you book and we will plan around it. Sometimes leaving 20 minutes earlier makes all the difference.
Book your match day car
Enter your pickup address and the ground, choose your vehicle and you will see a fixed price. If you want us to wait or collect you later, choose hourly hire or book a return. Payment is by card, online or to the driver. Book your match day transport, or call 0161 660 4006 to plan a group trip.
