Old Trafford, the Theatre of Dreams, is the biggest club stadium in the country and a bucket-list trip for football fans the world over. Whether you're coming for a Manchester United game or the behind-the-scenes stadium tour, here's how to make the most of it: how to get tickets, what to see, and where to stay just a walk from the ground.
The Old Trafford stadium tour & museum
You don't need a matchday ticket to get inside Old Trafford. The Stadium Tour & Museum is one of the best football experiences in the country, a roughly 70-minute walk through the players' tunnel, the home dressing room, pitchside by the dug-outs and the press room, plus a three-level museum packed with trophies and United history.
It runs most days of the year (matchdays excepted), takes a couple of hours with the museum, and is brilliant for families and non-matchday visits. Tickets start at around £28 for adults including the museum. Book ahead online, as popular slots sell out. Don't miss the United Trinity statue, the Sir Matt Busby statue and the moving Munich memorial on your way round.
Going to a Manchester United game
Nothing beats Old Trafford under the lights. The Premier League season runs from August to May, with European nights and domestic cups mixed in. Kick-off times shift around for TV, a Saturday 3pm can just as easily become a 12:30pm, a Sunday afternoon or an 8pm midweek European tie, so always confirm the date and time before you book your stay.
Getting match tickets, we can help
Here's the honest truth: United tickets are notoriously hard to come by, especially for the big fixtures. The good news is that we have a reliable contact who can help you get hold of match tickets. If you're planning your trip around a particular game, let us know when you book and we'll point you in the right direction, one less thing to worry about.
Stay with City Superhost
Browse apartments within walking distance of Old Trafford, book direct for matchday or a tour.
Browse properties →Where is Old Trafford, and getting there
Old Trafford sits just across the Manchester Ship Canal from the city centre, about two miles south-west. It's easy to reach:
- Metrolink: The Altrincham and East Didsbury lines stop at Old Trafford, a five-minute walk from the ground.
- Matchday train: Manchester United Football Ground station runs on matchdays, two minutes from the Megastore.
- On foot: A flat walk from Salford Quays and MediaCityUK, or around 40 minutes along the canal from the centre.
Stay within walking distance
The smartest matchday move is to stay close enough to walk. We have apartments within walking distance of Old Trafford, so you can stroll to the ground, skip the brutal post-match transport crush, and be back at the flat minutes after the final whistle, kettle on, highlights replaying. For a full area-by-area breakdown, see our Old Trafford matchday accommodation guide, and just ask us which places are closest to the ground.
Pre-match, the Bishop Blaize is the iconic Reds pub for songs and scarves, with The Trafford and Sam Platt's nearby for a pint and a bite.
One for the future: the new Old Trafford
United have announced plans for a spectacular new 100,000-seat stadium beside the current ground, with a hoped-for move later this decade. For now, though, the Theatre of Dreams is very much open for business, so there's never been a better time to tick it off the list.
Coming for a game or a tour and want a hand with tickets or the right apartment? Get in touch, tell us the fixture you're eyeing and we'll help sort the rest.
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