Advice for first Etihad match

If spurs score, whatever you do, don't get your phone out and start recording their players or fans celebrating.
 
Hello and apologies if this content is covered elsewhere.

My daughter is a huge City Fan and as part of our trip to the UK this summer, we plan on attending the home match vs. Spurs. I'd appreciate any advice from the forum on how to maximise the experience for her.

As we are a large family, we will likely get tickets through one of the City Hospitality packages (either Legends or one of the bars, if available). We will be taking making a day trip from London but want to give her a full experience. Some questions I have are:
  • How early should we plan to arrive in Manchester? Are there pre-match activities that we would want to participate in?
  • Where is the best place to buy MCFC stuff, beyond what is available online? She really wants a Foden scarf.
  • Are there must-visit local establishments (pubs, restaurants, retail, etc.) near the stadium that we should visit?
  • How insane will it be post-match in terms of getting to the train station? How much time should we plan?
  • Any other match attendance etiquette we should be aware of? We want to be respectful while maximising the fun.

I don't recall a league game against Spurs in recent years not being on tv so be aware of that likelyhood
 
Hello and apologies if this content is covered elsewhere.

My daughter is a huge City Fan and as part of our trip to the UK this summer, we plan on attending the home match vs. Spurs. I'd appreciate any advice from the forum on how to maximise the experience for her.

As we are a large family, we will likely get tickets through one of the City Hospitality packages (either Legends or one of the bars, if available). We will be taking making a day trip from London but want to give her a full experience. Some questions I have are:
  • How early should we plan to arrive in Manchester? Are there pre-match activities that we would want to participate in?
  • Where is the best place to buy MCFC stuff, beyond what is available online? She really wants a Foden scarf.
  • Are there must-visit local establishments (pubs, restaurants, retail, etc.) near the stadium that we should visit?
  • How insane will it be post-match in terms of getting to the train station? How much time should we plan?
  • Any other match attendance etiquette we should be aware of? We want to be respectful while maximising the fun.
If travelling on the train be aware you will be travelling from London with spurs fans and then travelling back with them after the game.

Not something I'd want to do with teenage girls, especially if you're wearing City colours. It only takes one knob head to ruin the day.
 
Sent you a DM with some suggestions but putting this on here regarding the Danny Wilson I mentioned to you, the head of supporter services who might help you out. I don't have his e-mail any more but someone on BM will be able to tell you.
 
I work on that railway, don't buy advance tickets , don't use Trainline or any other 3rd party tickets companies,they are a non facing organisation and you can't get refunds.

Fixtures change will be announced on Wednesday/tomorrow.

It's going to be busy in Manchester that weekend.

I'd look at possibly staying somewhere about an hour from Manchester as hotel prices will be skyhigh.

Trains will be frequent then and not full of spurs fans .

You could stay in say Shrewsbury York or Chester all lovely places ,then you only have a hour journey to Manchester on the day of the game .

Booking.com and vio.com for accommodation will give you the best prices.

Merchandise... Arndale is the best in the City centre.

Just take a Uber to the stadium.

Foden scarf off a vender near the ground.

Enjoy ya stay .

Ps up the leafs
 
Depending on how many of you planning to travel by train and saughter's might be worth looking at a two together or family railcard via trainline. 2 together costs £35 and gives 30% off rail travel so would pay for itself on one London - Mcr return and could use it if planning any other rail trips while here.
 
We won't be the late game on Sunday
That's going to be Newcastle vs Liverpool
The same game day there's
WHU vs Chelsea
City vs spurs
Fulham vs rags
Arsenal vs Leeds. Probably a 50/50 tv selection
Everton vs Brighton i think will be selected as it's Everton's first game in the new stadium

Friday night West ham Chelsea
Saturday lunch Everton Brighton
Saturday evening Fulham Rags
Sunday 2pm City spurs
Sunday 4.30 Newcastle Liverpool
 
General trip advice - wear something indicating you are Canadian as English people generally like Canucks a lot more than Yanks.

If possible it would be great to travel up to Manchester the previous day so you have more time in the city before the game. It would be great to do a stadium tour and your daughter would love getting a picture at Foden's place in the changing room.

https://www.mancity.com/tours
 
Bear in mind too there are major engineering works on the railway in August so there won’t be as many trains and they’ll be seriously crowded immediately after the game whenever it’s played. An overnight stay really is worth considering
 
Might be wrong but August bank holiday I am sure they usually have no trains out of Euston due to engineering works.

Most tourist visitors like going to Mary D's personally I swerve it like the plague.

If you are fit and able walk to and from the ground, the public transport is shit.

Might be better going to the Arndale store because of all the works at the ground there isn't much going on up there at the moment shop wise or pre/post match
 
As others have said...
Wait for fixture confirmation.
Do not buy a half'n'half scarf.

Stay overnight in altrincham, so you don't have to mix with the riff-raff.
Travel to Manchester on the tram and enjoy a stroll through Ancoats and along the canal to the ground.
Under no circumstances allow your daughter to interact with any of the freaks on bluemoon...
 
Apologies for the unintended popcorn moment, but I appreciate the advice. Especially, the potential to reschedule as that is pretty important.

My only piece of advice is to be fully expecting to see the match rearranged.
I know many have mentioned it but it can’t be overstated.
Easiest way to check the kick-off time is to use the BBC or Premier League fixture page. If ten games are shown as Saturday 3pm then the TV picks have yet to be made and City could still be moved. If there are PL games spread across the weekend then the stated kick-off time should be correct.
TV fixtures are usually chosen 6 weeks in advance so that should be this weekend.
 
How old is your daughter? The Kids Zone is usually open before the game at the academy stadium and it's great for kids. Tons of stuff on there for them.

Tickets for it are free.
 
Might be wrong but August bank holiday I am sure they usually have no trains out of Euston due to engineering works.

Most tourist visitors like going to Mary D's personally I swerve it like the plague.

If you are fit and able walk to and from the ground, the public transport is shit.

Might be better going to the Arndale store because of all the works at the ground there isn't much going on up there at the moment shop wise or pre/post match
Arndale ???
 
  • Visit one of the chippies near the stadium
  • Walk the canal route to see the industrial heritage
  • Walk canal street to see the Gay Village
  • Take in the Vimto bottle on Granby Row
  • Visit St Peter's Square for statue of Emmeline Pankhurst and the Peterloo Masacre memorial behind the Midland Hotel
  • Go to Shambles Square and visit the Cathedral
  • Walk round the stadium to see the statue's of Bell, Lee, Summerbee, Silva, Kompany and Aguero
Have a great time you will be made very welcome.
 
  • Visit one of the chippies near the stadium
  • Walk the canal route to see the industrial heritage
  • Walk canal street to see the Gay Village
  • Take in the Vimto bottle on Granby Row
  • Visit St Peter's Square for statue of Emmeline Pankhurst and the Peterloo Masacre memorial behind the Midland Hotel
  • Go to Shambles Square and visit the Cathedral
  • Walk round the stadium to see the statue's of Bell, Lee, Summerbee, Silva, Kompany and Aguero
Have a great time you will be made very welcome.
God Manchester is a bit dull at times for kids.

Where’s the fun stuff?
 

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