Etihad Campus Metrolink
Step-free access recorded
MET station recorded in the existing stadium transport mapping. This identifies an arrival option; check your service and the onward route.
Research checked 2026-10-15
Citizens · #MCFC · Blue Moon
THE MATCHDAY GUIDE · Manchester
Getting to Etihad Stadium
Use Manchester Piccadilly for long-distance trains, then change onto Metrolink for Etihad Campus. Trams take around 10 minutes from the city centre and stop beside the ground.
Plan a stay at Manchester City ↗BEFORE YOU SET OFF
Put your trip together
01 · Arrive
Your route into Etihad Stadium
Head for South Stand entrances L1, L2 or L3, which Manchester City designates for visiting supporters. If arriving at Etihad Campus tram stop, follow the stadium signs around to the away side rather than joining the first queue you see. Your ticket gives the final entrance and seating level. The Grey Car Park stands opposite the away turnstiles and is also the visiting-coach area. Pre-arranged ticket collections are handled at the South Stand Ticket Office from two hours before kick-off, with photo ID required. Tickets must be arranged through your club beforehand. The club opens turnstiles two hours before kick-off and advises visitors to arrive at least one hour before the match. Security checks can take time, particularly for large away allocations. The club only accepts small bags no larger than A4 dimensions, so travel light.
Etihad Stadium Away Fan Guide ↗02 · Reach the away end
After the match
For the city centre, join the managed queue at Etihad Campus Metrolink or walk back towards Piccadilly using the signed Citylink route. The walk takes around 30 minutes without heavy crowd delays, while the tram queue can extend your journey. Leave a sensible buffer before booking your last train. The club’s 2026/27 arrangements mean city-centre shuttle buses on Ashton New Road may be held until the road reopens, around 25 minutes after full-time. Holt Town, Velopark and some nearby tram stops can be closed temporarily for crowd management. Use Etihad Campus unless the live instructions tell you otherwise. Drivers leaving stadium car parks should allow for queues and steward-controlled traffic movements. Belle Vue Park & Ride has a strict one-hour-after-full-time closing time, so head straight back to the buses and do not linger. Visiting supporters may be held briefly in the South Stand to allow crowds outside to clear.
Travelling to the Etihad Stadium – 2026/27 update ↗03 · Stay or head home?
Choose your base before your hotel
Stay around Manchester Piccadilly for the easiest overall football trip. You can arrive by inter-city train, take a short tram ride to Etihad Campus and walk to restaurants and pubs afterwards.
Hotel to compare: Motel One Manchester-Piccadilly · Piccadilly / city-centre east
Compare the stay areas →Rail, Underground & tram
Use Manchester Piccadilly for long-distance trains, then change onto Metrolink for Etihad Campus. Trams take around 10 minutes from the city centre and stop beside the ground. The onward walk around the stadium to your South Stand entrance takes longer than the short distance to the stadium perimeter.
Ashburys is the nearest conventional railway station, around 20 minutes on foot from the Etihad. It is reached by a short local train journey from Piccadilly, but its services may not suit your return. Manchester Victoria also connects to the Metrolink network, so check the best change before travelling.
For an alternative that avoids waiting for a crowded tram, use the signed Citylink walk from Piccadilly through New Islington and Holt Town. Allow about 30 minutes to the stadium, plus time for the away turnstiles. Check Metrolink engineering works before relying on the same route home.
- Primary rail interchange
- Manchester Piccadilly; Metrolink onward to Etihad Campus
- Nearest National Rail station
- Ashburys; about 20 minutes on foot to the stadium
- Manchester Piccadilly to Etihad Campus
- Around 10 minutes by tram; check current service
- Etihad Campus fare
- Adult city-centre tram return shown as £3.50 by Manchester City; recheck TfGM before travel
- Manchester Victoria alternative
- Metrolink connections towards Etihad Campus
- Citylink walk from Piccadilly
- About 30 minutes via Ancoats, New Islington and Holt Town
- Nearest rail station distinct from airport
- Ashburys is not the same stop as Etihad Campus tram stop
Station to ground & away entrance
Head for South Stand entrances L1, L2 or L3, which Manchester City designates for visiting supporters. If arriving at Etihad Campus tram stop, follow the stadium signs around to the away side rather than joining the first queue you see. Your ticket gives the final entrance and seating level.
The Grey Car Park stands opposite the away turnstiles and is also the visiting-coach area. Pre-arranged ticket collections are handled at the South Stand Ticket Office from two hours before kick-off, with photo ID required. Tickets must be arranged through your club beforehand.
The club opens turnstiles two hours before kick-off and advises visitors to arrive at least one hour before the match. Security checks can take time, particularly for large away allocations. The club only accepts small bags no larger than A4 dimensions, so travel light.
- Away stand
- South Stand
- Away turnstiles
- L1, L2 and L3; use your ticket for the allocated entrance
- Turnstile opening
- Two hours before kick-off
- Recommended arrival
- At least one hour before kick-off
- Ticket collections
- South Stand Ticket Office; pre-arranged collections from two hours before kick-off; photo ID
- Coach orientation
- Grey Car Park opposite away entrances
- Bag limit
- Small handheld bags no larger than A4: 12 by 8 by 3 inches
- Bag drop fee discrepancy
- Club away guide states £10; general matchday guide states £12; check current fixture before using
Buses & local travel
Use Metrolink to Etihad Campus for the simplest journey from central Manchester. The stop is next to the stadium, but expect managed queues after full-time. Buy a suitable ticket or use contactless, and check the platform direction before joining the return queue.
Manchester City also operates 18 matchday bus routes with 91 stops across Greater Manchester for 2026/27. The MC1, MC2 and MC6 serve Co-op Academy Belle Vue Park & Ride, with return departures from their advertised pick-up points. Normal bus routes are separate and can change around road closures.
For the city centre after the match, the club operates dedicated shuttle buses from Ashton New Road. They may be held until the road reopens, usually estimated at about 25 minutes after full-time. Check the live club and Bee Network notices, particularly when Metrolink works alter normal connections.
- Closest tram stop
- Etihad Campus, Metrolink Zone 2
- Metrolink adult city-centre return
- £3.50 published by club; confirm current TfGM tariff
- Matchday bus network
- 18 routes and 91 stops for 2026/27
- Belle Vue connecting routes
- MC1, MC2 and MC6
- City centre shuttle departure
- Ashton New Road eastbound bus stop; approximately 13 buses after matches in 2026/27 plan
- Shuttle release restriction
- Depart after Ashton New Road reopens; club estimates around 25 minutes after full-time
- October 2026 Metrolink engineering
- 19 October to 1 November: Altrincham, Trafford Park and Eccles lines suspended and Airport/East Didsbury reduced; check specified match replacement buses
- Post-event adjacent tram stop restrictions
- Holt Town, Velopark and city-bound Clayton Hall may close for crowd control
Away coaches
Visiting supporters travelling on organised coaches should use the Grey Car Park opposite the South Stand away entrances. The club identifies this as the parking area for visiting coaches and minibuses. Your coach organiser should arrange access and the precise approach with the club before setting off.
Follow your organiser’s collection instructions after the game rather than assuming the vehicle can move immediately. The club’s 2026/27 road arrangements restrict unauthorised stopping on Ashton New Road and can delay vehicles within the security closure. Check your coach company’s meeting point if police or stewards redirect pedestrians.
- Official away coach park
- Grey Car Park opposite the away turnstiles
- Away coach stadium side
- South Stand; use L1–L3 according to ticket
- Access road context
- Ashton New Road security and traffic closure; follow event control
- Coach booking policy
- Organiser should confirm match-specific instructions with host club; visitor coach parking is designated Grey Car Park
Accessible journeys
Arrange away wheelchair tickets, easy-access seating or Blue Badge parking through your own club’s Disability Liaison Officer when buying tickets. Manchester City allocates visiting supporters spaces in the Grey Car Park off Ashton New Road, accessed by Gate 7. Provide your registration in advance so the booking can be recognised at the barrier.
Level 0 visiting wheelchair users enter by the flat, accessible L1 entrance. Those booked on the Legends Balcony use Entrance H, with stewards directing them to the correct level. Manchester City lists nine Level 0 and sixteen balcony wheelchair places for Premier League visiting allocations, but cup arrangements can differ.
Accessible toilets use RADAR keys, and a Changing Places facility is available in the South Stand by arrangement. Audio-descriptive commentary is provided through the club app. For medical exemptions or lift assistance, contact Manchester City’s Access Team well before matchday; check your onward tram stop for any temporary accessibility issues.
- Away Blue Badge location
- Grey Car Park off Ashton New Road, Gate 7, M11 3DL; arrange through visiting club
- Away wheelchair spaces – Premier League
- 9 Level 0 plus 16 Legends Balcony, allocation-dependent
- Level 0 accessible entrance
- L1; flat wheelchair-accessible surface
- Legends Balcony accessible entrance
- Entrance H, steward assisted
- South Stand Changing Places
- Available on Level 0; advise visiting club to arrange escorted access
- Audio-descriptive commentary
- Available via club app and stadium Wi-Fi
- Access Team phone
- 0161 444 1894
- Medical exemption lead time
- Request certificate no later than 72 hours before fixture
- Blue Badge parking process
- Visiting club submits vehicle registration for ANPR approval; no paper pass usually needed
- Metrolink step-free
- TfGM and club describe accessible trams and stops; check lift/escalator service for your specific journey
After the match
For the city centre, join the managed queue at Etihad Campus Metrolink or walk back towards Piccadilly using the signed Citylink route. The walk takes around 30 minutes without heavy crowd delays, while the tram queue can extend your journey. Leave a sensible buffer before booking your last train.
The club’s 2026/27 arrangements mean city-centre shuttle buses on Ashton New Road may be held until the road reopens, around 25 minutes after full-time. Holt Town, Velopark and some nearby tram stops can be closed temporarily for crowd management. Use Etihad Campus unless the live instructions tell you otherwise.
Drivers leaving stadium car parks should allow for queues and steward-controlled traffic movements. Belle Vue Park & Ride has a strict one-hour-after-full-time closing time, so head straight back to the buses and do not linger. Visiting supporters may be held briefly in the South Stand to allow crowds outside to clear.
- Recommended rail return
- Metrolink from Etihad Campus or signed Citylink walk to Manchester Piccadilly
- Citylink walking time
- Approximately 30 minutes stadium to city centre; add away-side approach and crowd delay
- Post-match crowd-control tram stops
- Holt Town, Velopark and Clayton Hall city-bound may be temporarily closed
- Shuttle bus delay
- Ashton New Road departure after closure lifted, estimated 25 minutes after full-time
- Possible away supporter retention
- Police and stewards may briefly retain visitors until immediate surroundings clear
- Belle Vue P&R return deadline
- One hour after the final whistle including extra time/penalties; vehicles may be locked in
- Official parking egress report
- Fans report variable, sometimes lengthy queues after full time; anecdotal only
Manchester Piccadilly
30 min walk
RLY station recorded in the existing stadium transport mapping. This identifies an arrival option; check your service and the onward route.
Research checked 2026-10-15Ashburys
20 min walk
RLY station recorded in the existing stadium transport mapping. This identifies an arrival option; check your service and the onward route.
Research checked 2026-10-15Etihad Campus (Manchester Metrolink)
MET station recorded in the existing stadium transport mapping. This identifies an arrival option; check your service and the onward route.
Research checked 2026-07-29Etihad Campus (Manchester Metrolink)
TMU station recorded in the existing stadium transport mapping. This identifies an arrival option; check your service and the onward route.
Research checked 2026-07-29Holt Town (Manchester Metrolink)
MET station recorded in the existing stadium transport mapping. This identifies an arrival option; check your service and the onward route.
Research checked 2026-07-29Would an overnight stay help?
Check your return services, then compare a station, stadium or town-centre stay.
Where to stay
Stay around Manchester Piccadilly for the easiest overall football trip. You can arrive by inter-city train, take a short tram ride to Etihad Campus and walk to restaurants and pubs afterwards. The Northern Quarter is close enough to make a second evening journey unnecessary. If food, independent bars and nightlife matter most, look around Stevenson Square, Tib Street and the Northern Quarter. You are slightly farther from the tram connection than a hotel next to Piccadilly but much closer to the best evening choice. Check city events as well as the fixture when comparing prices. For the shortest possible walk back after the match, the new Radisson Blu Medlock Hotel opened on the Etihad Campus in September 2026. It is beside the stadium and Co-op Live, so it suits an early start or late fixture. It is less useful if you want to spend the evening in central Manchester.
Etihad Campus – Travelling by Metrolink ↗For most one-night football trips, Piccadilly is the best compromise: it is the main inter-city rail arrival point, has direct Metrolink access towards the Etihad Campus, is walkable to the ground for supporters who prefer to go on foot, and keeps the Northern Quarter within easy reach. Stay on the Etihad Campus only when the shortest possible post-match return matters more than city-centre choice.
For the evening
The Northern Quarter is the strongest fit for supporters who want independent pubs, bars, late food and restaurants after the match. Newton Street, Stevenson Square, Tib Street and the surrounding streets put you in the middle of that scene rather than requiring a second trip after checking in.
For the train
Manchester Piccadilly is the most useful rail base for this trip. Motel One sits beside the station, while the Etihad Campus is reached directly by Metrolink; the Piccadilly/New Islington side of the centre also avoids crossing the whole city before and after the match.
Hotels to compare
Motel One Manchester-PiccadillyPiccadilly / city-centre eastAll-round choiceBeside Manchester Piccadilly, so it works particularly well for supporters arriving by train.
Bear in mind: It is not the closest hotel to the Etihad; allow roughly 25–32 minutes if walking, depending on route and crowd conditions.
Hotel details checked 2026-09-30Check availability ↗Booking.com · Choose your dates and check the final price.More about this choice
Simple onward trip to the Etihad by Metrolink, taxi or on foot.
Close enough to the Northern Quarter to have a proper choice of pubs, bars and food after the match.
Large, current review base with recurring praise for cleanliness, staff and location.
Non-event pricing is often materially lower than the stadium hotel or boutique Northern Quarter options.
Standard rooms are compact and functional rather than spacious.
Breakfast is primarily continental rather than a full cooked-hotel breakfast.
Some guests mention city/tram noise and the rooms are deliberately light on extras such as mini-fridges.
Radisson Blu Medlock Hotel, ManchesterEtihad Campus / Medlock SquareFor the shortest ground journeyGenuinely on the Etihad Campus rather than merely marketed as 'near the stadium'.
Bear in mind: Normal sampled rates are higher than Motel One and can climb sharply on busy weekends or event nights.
Hotel details checked 2026-09-30Check availability ↗Booking.com · Choose your dates and check the final price.More about this choice
Around a few minutes on foot from the Etihad, making it the easiest hotel after a late finish or poor weather.
Modern full-service four-star property with restaurant, bar and fitness facilities.
Direct Metrolink connection keeps the city centre reachable without needing a taxi.
Particularly useful for supporters with mobility concerns or anyone prioritising the shortest post-match return.
The immediate area is an entertainment campus, not Manchester's best-established nightlife district.
The hotel only opened on 7 September 2026, so it does not yet have the long operating track record of the other primary choices.
Early reviews repeatedly mention awkward parking/site access and continuing works around the new development; one recent review also reported intrusive HVAC/ventilation noise.
The Cow Hollow HotelNorthern QuarterFor the eveningRight in the Northern Quarter, with a dense choice of independent bars, pubs and food around the hotel.
Bear in mind: Only 16 bedrooms, so availability can disappear quickly on football, arena and busy city weekends.
Hotel details checked 2026-09-30Check availability ↗Booking.com · Choose your dates and check the final price.More about this choice
Boutique character rather than a generic chain stay.
Strong current guest scores for staff, location, comfort and cleanliness.
Still reasonably close to Piccadilly for rail arrivals and the tram/walk to the Etihad.
Official direct pricing gives a useful sense of positioning: standard rooms from £99 and weekends from around £149 before event-driven spikes.
Some room categories are small and can feel dark compared with larger chain rooms.
The Northern Quarter is lively late into the night; street noise is a real possibility for light sleepers.
Recent negative reviews include isolated plumbing/shower, Wi-Fi, lift/service and heat-related complaints; these are not the dominant review pattern but should not be ignored.
Check current rates and availability for your dates.
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Sources, limitations and matchday changes
Reviewed transport publication. This permanent guide uses the existing approved research; admission, opening hours, services and parking controls may change for each match.
Station mappings identify arrival options. They do not guarantee a walking route, step-free access or a train timetable. Confirm current club guidance and your actual service.
Official club guidance ↗