Advice for first Etihad match

[xmusampa]

Stadium tour ideal for families but not sure they do on match days so may need more time/ planning

 

[Citizen of Legoland]

First round of Champions League is 16-18 September, it’s possible City will have a home game then you might take in? Much easier to get tickets for that

Carabao Cup R3 (our 1st game in the competition) is around the 23rd Sep so, as long as it’s not the rags, tickets should be easily available for that too. The draw isn’t until late August though. The date might suit better as it’s towards the end of the planned honeymoon. If it was me I would base myself in York for a few days and pop over just for the game or tag on an overnight stay.

 

[TShed]

I’d make Manchester the centre for your whole visit or at least schedule in 2 days
The Pride event itself and the parades are a spectacle to say the least
You could book a show at one of the theatres
An afternoon/early evening in the Northern Quarter nice meal etc etc
Don’t be fooled by an earlier comment if we beat spursy then the trip home with them wouldn’t be that pkeasant
As stated don’t do anything until the date/time of the game is formalised

 

[Brightwell Bros.]

On the first day of being in a new stadium you walk up to the biggest bloke in the stadium, you walk up to him, and you call him a rag. It's the only way they'll respect you.

 

[blue44]

Get bladdered.

I normally do

 

[One Fan Clapping]

12:30 KO on the Saturday @CaunckFan

 

[blueandy1mac]

Stockport is shut for most of August for new track layout on the viaduct.

Controversial, couldn't they have just closed the station?

 

[Gazza]

First Advice - that takes me back, weren't they a sponsor once?

 

[Mad Eyed Screamer]

Lol

Controversial, couldn't they have just closed the station?

 

[CaunckFan]

12:30 KO on the Saturday @CaunckFan

That will make an early start but might allow us to see a bit more of Manchester post-match (and avoid the unhappy drunk Spurs fans).

 

[adopted_manc]

That will make an early start but might allow us to see a bit more of Manchester post-match (and avoid the unhappy drunk Spurs fans).

There will be plenty of drunken people in the city centre anyway ;-)

And re the Pride - note that the area will be cordoned off for concerts etc and not accessible without a ticket.

 

[citeh94]

For your first time, definitely arrive as early as possible. Would definitely advice blue carpet, great chance to see the players up close, don’t buy a half and half scarf, and enjoy it, you only get 1 first trip!!

 

[metalblue]

If you're going to have a cig at half time then please don't use the spirals but smoke at the designated place outside the toilet blocks.

No need to thank me.

I’m going to see if he wants to swap a bit of hospitality for my seat mate, comes complete with in-match jelly babies ;)

In return I’m prepared to slum it with the gentry, just this once.

 

[mexico1970]

I’m going to see if he wants to swap a bit of hospitality for my seat mate, comes complete with in-match jelly babies ;)

In return I’m prepared to slum it with the gentry, just this once.

Your seat puts weight on you for sure, it should be sponsored by Werthers Originals and come with a health warning :)

 

[AliBobbyJ]

That will make an early start but might allow us to see a bit more of Manchester post-match (and avoid the unhappy drunk Spurs fans).

Good luck at Euston scanning the train departures board that morning to see which trains are cancelled, then crowding onto the one that's running with the Tottenham hordes.
Better going up the night before.

 

[bladdered]

I think the early morning trains from Euston should be fine. Though will be full of Spurs. I've just booked my train from Yorkshire and still nervous about making it.

 

[levets]

What a shit KO time for first home game

 

[bluestevei]

as someone also planning my first trip to the Etihad (and on our honeymoon), thank you! This is the most helpful thing I've seen!!

If we play like we did last season, and you are taking your new Mrs, you might be getting a divorce paper,

 

[The Lightbowne Cowboy]

I’ve adapted this from something I’ve sent to friends who have visited Manchester for City a match before…

Getting about Manchester

I’d use Uber it’s cheap and the distances aren’t too far. You won’t pay more than £10 for any journey in and around the city centre/stadium.

The walk from Manchester Piccadilly train station to the stadium is a good 20-30 minutes especially if you’ve got kids.

I would suggest getting an Uber/tram to the stadium and walking back to the city/centre train station after the match as public transport is rubbish. It’s good walking with all the fans as one back into town - especially if we’ve won.

Feature In The Match Day Programme

Get a photo of your daughter/and you in the match day programme - email in a photo of you in City gear and tell them how far you’ve travelled.

• Email: Send your message, photos, and captions to mcfcprogramme@reachsport.com.
• Content: Include details like the recipient's name, a photo, and a message
• Don’t forget to then buy a programme as a souvenir outside the ground - I think they’re £5

Big Screen Message

You can also get a short message on the big screens at half time using this form - https://www.mancity.com/help-and-support/scoreboard-message-request/request-form

Man City Kids Fan Zone

I don’t know how old your kid is. But there are free kids sessions and entertainment before the match - you need to book this and can’t just turn up. It’s focussed more on younger kids I think. Keep an eye on this page in the 2 or 3 weeks before the game. It’s free but does sell out.

https://www.mancity.com/ticketing-and-hospitality/man-city-kids-fanzone

City Stadium Tour

You need to book. Better on a non match day as you’ll have more access around the stadium but you can do them on match days.

https://www.mancity.com/tours

Coop Live Arena - next to the main stadium may open before the game. Again you’ll need to book. I think it’s £5 to get in but you then get a £5 drinks voucher to use when you’re inside. Lots of bars and loud pre match entertainment. Keep an eye on this page - https://www.mancity.com/tickets/mens/pre-match-at-co-op-live

Team Bus Arrival

The team bus arriving about 90 minutes before kick off is a kind of event at the main entrance of the Colin Bell Stand. There is a DJ, music, fireworks, big screens and the players are introduced one at a time, as they get off the bus.

Statues

Walk around the stadium to see statues of legends of the club. Lee Bell and Summerbee, Sergio Aguero, Vincent Kompany and my favourite David Silva. Bundobust food van is near the last 3 statues.

Tickets

I’ve got 2 tickets for the game which you could have for £28 each as I’m on holiday. They are in South Stand Level 3. I may have a third ticket too but waiting to hear back from a friend. Direct message me if you’re interested.

Food and drink

The food and rink from the kiosks around the outside of the stadium is better than what’s on offer inside the stadium. Bundobust is my personal favourite serving Indian Street Food. Northern Soul Grilled Sandwiches is also recommended.

If you want a beer at half time - then buy tokens before the game starts from the bars it will be much quicker than queuing at the usual concessions.

The two pubs closest to the ground are pretty grim Mary Ds and The Townley. But any port in a storm.

Cheap eat suggestion - Tony’s Chippy for sit down fish and chips. It’s the best fast food near the stadium. It’s halfway between the city centre and the stadium. You can’t book just turn up. There’s not lots of seats but just wait until a table becomes available. It’s a quick turnaround. Maybe try a local delicacy ‘a baby’s head’ aka Steak Pudding with chips. In the north of England we also have gravy or curry sauce on our chips. Maybe ask for a pot of it so you can try it before slathering it all over your chips. Tony’s is only open before the match and not after.

If you want to splash the cash a little. There are nice bars and restaurants in Ancoats or the Northern Quarter areas of the city centre. 10-15 minutes walk from Manchester Piccadilly train station or a cheap uber. There’s a nice bar called Jimmy’s for drinks. The Edinburgh Castle is a gastro pub but booking is essential. Otherwise use Tripadvisor for suggestions.

If you’re in the city centre (Northern quarter) and looking for a good Full English breakfast then I highly recommend the Koffee Pot.

There’s also lots of places to get good coffee, pastries etc in the Northern Quarter.

Pubs

Here’s a list of good traditional pubs in the city centre. Most will let kids in before 8pm.

Britons Protection
Gullivers
The Castle
Crown & Kettle
Peveril of the Peak
Temple of Convenience
The Salisbury
Marble Arch
Lass O Gowrie
Circus Tavern or Grey Horse
Corbieres

Things To Do In And Around Manchester

If you do visit for a weekend -

National Football Museum - lots of brilliant artefacts and interactive displays on the history of the game - but not enough City material in opinion. (Sort it out Moonchester/Scall)

Lowry Gallery in Salford - a good selection of work from a local and world famous artist who was also a City fan. Get there by tram.

Imperial War Museum also next door in Salford

Whitworth Gallery currently has a Turner exhibition (£16 booking essential)

Maybe catch another local game? There’s lots of lower league teams that play further down the leagues - Stockport County, Oldham Athletic or Bury, but not Salford (who have too many links to Man United). You will get to experience a totally different type of English football culture. Tickets around £15-20.

Pride (Gay Pride) is taking place in the city over the weekend you’re due to visit. Pubs in and around the Gay Village will be packed and hotels in the city will be booked up or expensive. There is a parade but beware there will be a lot of phallus’s waved about which might not be appropriate with a child.

Such a brilliant post spoiled by these words.. " Circus tavern or Grey horse". Or otherwise known as Rag Central.

 

[unicorn]

Such a brilliant post spoiled by these words.. " Circus tavern or Grey horse". Or otherwise known as Rag Central.

Both brilliant pubs, you can't come all that way and go in them. The Pubs ARE Manchester.