Visiting Old Trafford for the First Time: A Matchday Guide

Your first Old Trafford matchday

There is nothing quite like the anticipation of seeing United at home for the first time. Sorting the practical details beforehand means you can spend less of the day checking your plans and more of it enjoying the occasion.

This guide takes you through the journey, what to bring and how to approach entry, with a closer look at bags and getting home. Old Trafford has been Manchester United’s home ground since 1910; whether your visit is a long-held ambition or a spur-of-the-moment trip, it is worth giving yourself time to take it in.

Plan your matchday, step by step

1. Check your ticket

Start by looking at the details on your ticket and noting the entrance you need. Keep the ticket somewhere you can reach it easily when it is time to go in. If you are attending with others, ask everyone to check their own details rather than assuming you will all enter in the same place.

Agree a meeting point before you travel, particularly if your group will be arriving separately. Pick somewhere everyone can recognise and keep a note of it: it is easier to make a plan at home than while trying to find one another on the day.

2. Choose your route

Old Trafford tram stop is on the Altrincham line. Trafford Bar, Wharfside and Exchange Quay are also within walking distance of the ground. Compare those options with your starting point, and remember to include the walk from the stop when planning your journey.

If you are driving, the club advises using postcode M16 0RA on matchdays and allowing extra time because surrounding roads are busy. Check your parking arrangements before setting off, rather than relying on finding a space when you arrive.

Bus passengers should check their route too. Transport for Greater Manchester lists matchday diversions for services 30, 250, 255, 256 and 263 for Manchester United first-team home fixtures. Check the latest information for the stops you intend to use in both directions.

3. Pack for the day

Think about what you actually need to carry: your ticket, travel essentials and any items you require for the day. Measure your bag before leaving home, since its dimensions can affect whether you need to use the bag drop.

It is also sensible to check the weather and dress for the journey as well as the match. Comfortable footwear can make a difference when your plans include a walk to and from the ground.

4. Find your entrance

At screening, go to the entrance stated on your ticket and have the ticket ready for scanning. Once inside, take a moment to get your bearings rather than treating the walk to your seat as a race.

If you need assistance during your visit, Supporter Services is in car park W2. Make a note of that location before you arrive so you have a starting point if a question crops up.

A closer look at bags and timing

Bags larger than 20cm × 15cm × 5cm must generally be deposited at a bag drop. Exceptions apply for essential medical equipment and baby-changing items. Measure the full bag, rather than judging it by how little you have put inside, and check the current policy if you are unsure how it applies to what you need to bring.

Supporters using the bag drop are advised to arrive two hours before kick-off. The facility opens four hours before kick-off and closes two and a half hours after the final whistle. Build the drop-off into your arrival plan and remember that collecting your belongings is part of the return trip, too.

A smaller bag can make the day simpler, but there is no need to leave essential items behind just to travel light. Work out what you need first, then choose a bag and a journey plan that accommodate it.

First-time visitor questions

Can I visit the museum or take a tour on matchday?

The Old Trafford Tour and Museum is not open on home matchdays unless visitors have booked matchday hospitality. If either is important to your trip, plan it separately and check arrangements before making your booking.

Can I use an e-cigarette inside the stadium?

Old Trafford is a no-smoking stadium, including electronic cigarettes. Bear that in mind when planning your day.

What should I do if my group has different entrances?

Decide before you arrive where you will meet afterwards and make sure everyone has the details. Keep the plan straightforward, especially if anyone needs to collect a bag or catch a connection.

Make the most of your visit today

Before travelling, check your ticket, measure your bag and look up current transport information. If you are visiting with someone who has not been before either, share the plan so neither of you has to carry all the details in your head.

On the day, leave a little space between the practical jobs to enjoy being there. Take in the approach to the ground, find your entrance and give yourself a moment to settle into the occasion. After the match, follow the journey plan you have made and collect any belongings before heading home.

There is no single right way to experience a first visit. You might want to share every moment with friends or simply sit back and watch United. Either way, getting the basics sorted helps make the day your own.

For more ideas around a visit to the ground, explore our Old Trafford & Matchday section. If you would like to learn more about the club before you go, browse Club History, including how United remembers the Busby Babes and Munich 1958. For a wider look at the people and traditions around supporting the team, visit Fan Culture.