Old Trafford Sports Fan Tips
Old Trafford is a venue in or near Manchester that is most often used for Soccer
Best Insider tip at Old Trafford?
Tickets for Manchester United home games are incredibly sought after and can be difficult to get - as such, it might be worth paying for a Manchester United membership - so you get access to the tickets before they go on sale to the general public.There is a special deal on the stadium tour, for £25 you can go on the tour and then have a meal at the adjoining 'Red Cafe'.United's rivals are Manchester City and Liverpool so watch out for an electric atmosphere on these game days.
Best restaurants near Old Trafford?
As well as the multitude of Fish and Chip shops and takeaways that stand at the top of Sir Matt Busby Way, there are several restaurants that offer an alternative on match day, most between 15-20 minutes walk of the stadium.Damson and Pier Eight offer a more refined dining experience, and the prices are fairly reasonable with Damson having a 3 course meal offer for £25 - located at the ever popular Salford Quays Media City, they offer fantastic water views whilst dining.The Quays are also home to Dockyard and Marcos New York Italian offer more laidback dining, though expect them to be busy on a game day.In the shadow of the stadium is Cafe Football - the football themed restaurant owned by United legends Giggs and Gary Neville.
Things to check out around Old Trafford?
Although the museum is shut on match days; Old Trafford does run tours of the museum and the stadium for £18 for adults and £12 for children.For a bit more money £30 for adults, you can make a whole day experience out of it and take a cruise from Manchester City Centre, around the Salford Quays before taking a stadium tour. Or you can have your tour led by a Manchester United legend, with a Q & A, and ending with a buffet lunch for £120.
Best Food and Drink at Old Trafford?
Old Trafford has the sort of food that you find in football grounds all around the country with pasties, pies and hot dogs filling the concourses and kiosks that lay around the ground.There is a meal deal on offer though which is surprisingly good value. You can get a meal (pie, pasty, hot dog) a snack, (crisps or a chocolate bar) and a drink (soft drinks, beer, hot drinks) all for £7.If there is a group of you, or you're feeling particularly hungry, you can get 6 items for £12.There is also the Red Cafe attached to the ground - however it is shut on weekend match days, but open on normal days and mid-week games.
How do I get to Old Trafford?
There are plenty of private car parks (anywhere from £3.50-£10 per car for the duration of a game) and basically the further you park from the venue, the quicker you'll leave. Sure, a 15 minute walk to/from your car isn't ideal, but it beats an hour stuck inside it trying to leave the car park after!Public transport wise, there's a train station by the venue (aptly named Manchester United Football Ground) and a Metrolink to Sir Matt Busby Way. Both are accessible from town, or it's a 20-minute walk from the centre.
What to expect from the Old Trafford crowd?
Old Trafford is known as the 'Theatre of Dreams' and has hosted some of the most important and iconic nights in English football; however it has been accused of lacking in atmosphere.A lot of fans have seen it as being a bit too corporate and sterile, and it can suffer from the same problems as other huge stadiums, with a lot of tourists and its open nature meaning that the atmosphere is not completely contained in the stadium.This isn't to say that it is devoid of atmosphere - it was designed with acoustics in mind, so when the Stretford End starts bouncing, the rest of Old Trafford responds.
Best Pubs around Old Trafford?
Home to City and United fans alike (though maybe not so much on Derby Day), The Green is the go-to sports bar in Manchester. Massive screens, a variety of beers and great atmosphere. If you want something closer to the venue (it's in town), then The Trafford, Sam Platts and The Bishops Blaize are the closest to the venue – home fans only though, I'm afraid!For away fans, staying in town is probably your best bet. The Matchstick man is a fun one about a mile from the stadium, in Salford Quays. There are a few options there, so definitely worth a look!
Old Trafford seating?
For atmosphere, singing and chanting the Stretford End is where to go - however views here aren't the best, with it especially difficult to make out the other end of the pitch from here. Prices range from £31-40 for Adults and £17-21.50 for younger fans.For the best views, you should go the North Stand or the Alex Ferguson South Stand - as with most grounds, a better view means a diminished atmosphere and higher prices - tickets ranging from £42-51 for Adults and £22-23 for younger fans.Away fans are located in the the East Stand, and offer unobstructed views of the pitch - there proximity to home fans often means a rowdy atmosphere and interaction between the two sets of fans.