Magic - Supporter Info

Manchester City Football Club, Etihad Stadium, Etihad Campus, Manchester M11 3FF, General enquiries 0161 444 1894 (Option 1, then option 3) and Box office 0161 4441894
Email: mcfc@mcfc.co.uk

Turnstiles Open – Access to Stadium Bowl:
11.30am on Saturday
10.30am on Sunday

STADIUM LOCATION

Etihad Stadium, previously the City of Manchester Stadium and also known as Eastlands, is the home of Manchester City Football Club and is located to the East of Manchester City Centre.   The Stadium is the centrepiece of the Etihad Campus.

HOW TO GET THERE

Large crowds are expected on both days and traffic congestion may be inevitable both in the City Centre and on surrounding routes.  Please ensure that you allow sufficient time for your journey and for any unexpected delays. 

From the North

Traffic travelling from the North is likely to arrive at the M60 between J15 and J22. Recommendation is to exit the M60 at J17 and use the A56 to travel into Manchester and around the intermediate relief road (A6010) to the Etihad Stadium.

From the South

Via the M6 and J19 for the M56 will be the recommended route. Traffic should then join the A5103.

From the West

Via the M62 using the M602 to reach central Manchester and move around the Mancunian Way to the stadium.

From the East

It is likely that most of the traffic from this direction will use the M67. Traffic arriving from the east should follow the A57 from J24 (Denton roundabout).

CAR PARKING

Pay on the day car parking is available on-site, on a first come first served basis on the North Car Park, accessed via Gate 2 from Alan Turning Way.  Cost is £10 per car

There are a number of satellite car parks around the stadium with prices displayed at the point of entry.  The Stadium does not endorse these car parks.

A resident’s parking scheme is in place in the streets around the Etihad Stadium and this is strictly enforced and identified through on-street signage.  Please do not park in these areas as vehicles may be clamped or removed.  Please respect the needs of local residents.   Please CLICK HERE for map

Parking at the ASDA supermarket adjacent to the Stadium is reserved for store customers only.  Penalties will be imposed for misuse of this car park.

Accessible (blue badge) parking is available from the RFL - advance application only, please email ticketing@rfl.uk.com or call 0844 856 1113.  There will be no access to the accessible parking spaces without an event parking pass - blue badges must also be displayed.

The stadium has a Disabled Liaison Officer, Francine Carpenter, who can be contacted for guidance on 0161 444 1894 (option 1) or email disabledtickets@mcfc.co.u for more information.

COACH & MINI BUS PARKING

Parking is available on site for coaches and mini buses and spaces must be pre-booked, no on the day sales.  Coach passes are £30 and mini bus passes are £15.  All bookings/passes will be taken/issued by MCFC, contact Supporter Services on 0161 444 1894 (option 1, then option 3) or email Supporterservices@mcfc.co.uk to purchase
 
Road closures will be implemented on Alan Turning Way and Ashton New Road after the final game has concluded each day to allow for safe egress of pedestrians.  Supporters who want park slightly further away from the Etihad Stadium, to avoid the road closures are advised to park in K2 on Alan Turing Way, if travelling from the south. The K2 site is a 10-15 minute walk from the stadium and costs £7

WALKING
Manchester Piccadilly station is located 1.5 miles from the Stadium and can be accessed via the City Link walking route and local bus routes.  Signage will direct you along the route. Please follow the ‘City Link’ signs. Download the Stadium map which shows the designated safe walking route. It will take c. 20 minutes to walk from the city centre.  http://content.mcfc.co.uk/~/media/Files/Club/Etihad%20Stadium%20Wider%20Area%20Plan.ashx.

Web page http://www.mcfc.co.uk/The-Club/Visiting-the-Stadium

PUBLIC TRANSPORT

Public Transport:
Frequent bus services operate from all directions to the stadium. For more information about public transport links visit www.traveline-northwest.co.uk  or telephone 0871 200 22 33 for journey planning information (calls cost 10p a minute from BT Landlines other networks may charge more).

At the end of the event buses will be lined up on Ashton New Road, next to the South end of the stadium, to return to the City Centre where you can connect onwards.

For more public transport and journey information visit: http://www.tfgm.com/.  For a journey planner to assist you with bus and other local transport routes www.transportdirect.info for regional and national travel information.

Train:
The two major train stations in Manchester are Manchester Piccadilly and Manchester Victoria. For journey information visit
http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/

The nearest rail station to the Etihad Campus is Ashbury’s station, located just under a mile from the Stadium on Pottery Lane.  The station is on the Hope Valley & Manchester- Glossop line and can be used to reach Manchester Piccadilly.  However, stopping services at the station are not regular.

Metrolink:

Etihad Campus is not currently served by Metrolink.  Travel between the City Centre tram interchanges and Etihad Campus is via the City Link walking route or taxis.

Reserved Tickets

Spectators should ensure that they sit in the seat indicated on the ticket.  Although there may be other seats in the area that may not appear to be utilised it is more than likely that that person hasn’t yet arrived or is elsewhere in the Stadium.

Unreserved Tickets

Please enter the stadium via the gate indicated on the ticket.

Certain seats/blocks will be marked as RESERVED (specifically near to wheelchair platforms and dug outs) and will therefore not be available for those with unreserved seat tickets.  Spectators should ensure that they do not sit in any seat marked reserved if they have purchased a ticket for an unreserved area.  It is important to note that if an unreserved seat is vacated it may not be possible to return to the same seat at a later time.

Student Identification

If a student concession ticket has been purchased relevant identification may be requested at the turnstiles.  Spectators should ensure that they have appropriate ID with them, i.e. student union card.

Pass Outs

It is important that match tickets are retained after passing through the turnstiles; tickets will need to be produced for re-entry if using the pass out system

A pass out/return system will be operated on both event days allowing spectators to move between City Square & the Stadium bowl – there is no limit on the number of times someone is allowed to pass out and re-enter.

Spectators who wish to leave the stadium bowl with the intention of returning may do so but MUST first ensure that they have their hand stamped to enable them to gain re-entry; if there is no evidence of a hand stamp re-entry will not be permitted.  Hand stamps will be issued upon initial exit by Stadium stewards.  Dedicated exit and re-entry gates on each level will be used to facilitate this operation.  Different coloured hand stamps will be used for each level on each day.

Re-entry to the Stadium bowl will be on production of both a hand stamp and relevant match ticket; match tickets must be retained and not discarded.

Ground Regulations - In particular please note:-

• Fireworks, smoke canisters, knives, bottles, glasses, cans or other articles which might be used as a weapon and/or compromise public safety or used to cause annoyance are not permitted within the Ground and will be confiscated.   Any person in possession of such items will be refused entry to the Ground.
• The use of foul and abusive language, obscene chanting, racial or discriminatory abuse towards any person is strictly forbidden and will result in arrest/ejection from the Stadium.
• Unauthorised persons are strictly forbidden from entering the field of play.  Anyone doing so will be removed from the ground and arrested
• Collapsible viewing aids (steps/boxes etc.) are not allowed to be taken into the stadium
• The use of air horns, klaxons, whistles, vuvuzalas and any other item likely to cause confusion, annoyance or nuisance of any kind are not permitted in any part of the ground
• Alcohol purchased externally is not allowed to be brought onto the stadium premises
• All persons seeking entrance to the Ground acknowledge the Stadium’s right to search any person entering the Ground and to refuse entry to or eject from the Ground any person refusing to submit to such a search
• With the exception of authorised press representatives holding official passes, the taking of photographs or cine/video photography inside the ground is prohibited.
• The stadium operates a rigorous Challenge 21 alcohol policy.  ID will be required if purchaser looks under 21
• Notwithstanding possession of any ticket the Club, any police officer or authorised steward may refuse entry to (or eject from) the Ground any person whose presence within the Ground is, or could (in the Stadium’s reasonable opinion), constitute a source of danger, nuisance or annoyance to any other person.
• Nobody may stand in any seating area whilst play is in progress. Persistent standing in seated areas whilst play is in progress is strictly forbidden and may result in ejection from the Ground.

• Under the Sporting Events (Control of Alcohol etc) Act 1985 (as amended), the following are offences for which a person can be arrested by a police officer and conviction could result in a Banning Order being made:

 Attempting to enter the Ground or being inside the Ground whilst drunk;

 Being in possession of any intoxicating liquor, or bottle, can or other portable container and which could cause damage or personal injury, when entering the Ground or in a public area of the Ground from which the event can be directly viewed.

• CCTV cameras are in use both internally and externally and the Stadium may use or pass to the police or any Authority  any recordings for use in any proceedings.
• At all times whilst present in the Ground, persons must comply with any and all instructions of any steward or officer of the Club and/or any police officer. Failure to comply with any instruction may lead to immediate ejection from the Ground.

FOOD & DRINK

 Food & beverages are available at concessions both on the concourses inside the stadium and externally in the Summerbee Bar in City Square
 All concessions in the Stadium will be open throughout each day, but will close at the start of the second half of the last match and will not re-open
 The sale of alcohol in the Summerbee Bar in City Square is not permitted before Noon on Sunday
è     Under the terms of the Stadium licence the consumption of alcohol, on the external concourses (City Square) is
restricted to the Summerbee Bar only.  Spectators are not permitted to walk around any external areas with alcohol or bring alcohol into this area.  Anyone in possession of alcohol in areas where it is not permitted will have it confiscated 
• Only spectators in possession of a match ticket are allowed into the Summerbee Bar in City Square and must produce their ticket on entry
• Alcohol is allowed in the Stadium bowl
• Alcohol may not be taken from the Stadium bowl into City Square and vice versa

Please CLICK HERE for a map of pubs

FANZONE

A fanzone incorporating a range of activities will be located in City Square on both event days.  The fanzone is the ultimate way to warm up for the big event and soak up the atmosphere of this unique occasion.

The fanzone will be open from 11.00am on Saturday and 10.00am on Sunday and will close approximately 10 minutes prior to kick off in the final game each day.

FAQs

Q:         Will I be able to smoke in stadium?
A:         Smoking is not permitted anywhere within the stadium

Q: If I feel unwell during the event, can I get help?
A: Yes, there will be a full medical team on duty for your safety and wellbeing, including first aid, paramedics and doctors.  Please contact your nearest steward, in the first instance. 

Q:  Can I take my drink to my seat?
A: Yes, but we would ask that you respect your fellow supporters when transporting drinks to your seat and while consuming them.

Q: Are there any baby changing facility available on site?
A:  Yes.  There are facilities located on each level of the stadium

Q: Can I bring juice or a flask of tea into the stadium?
A: No containers of any type are permitted. Unless prior arrangements are made with the stadium (outlined below special dietary requirements)

For clarification, flasks are classed as a controlled container and therefore should be confiscated on approach to the stadium.   If you attempt to enter the ground whilst in possession of any of these items (cans, bottles flasks etc) then these items will be confiscated and will be disposed off, they will not be stored for collection post event.

Q:  Can I bring food into the stadium?
A: Spectators are not allowed to take their own food or drink onto Stadium premises.

Q:         What happens if I have special dietary requirements, though?
A:  If you need to bring specific food and drink for medical or dietary requirements, you would be required to bring a doctor’s note with you, which would need to be shown upon entering the Stadium.

Q: Can I bring bags, rucksacks or suitcases?
A Luggage items larger than A4 size are not permitted into the stadium for security reasons. Appropriate discretion will be used for ladies’ handbags, baby changing bags, etc. which will be subject to the standard security checks

Q: I have difficulty using a turnstile.
A: Please contact a steward at the turnstile area who will happily assist with access through the nearest gate.

Q: What do I do if I find someone sitting in my seat, if there’s a problem with my seat or an issue with supporters nearby?
A: Please contact your nearest steward immediately who will be able to assist you or contact someone who can help.

Q: How do I access the disabled areas?
A: There are 4 entrances located around the Stadium, 2 either side of the Colin Bell Stadium Entrance (S and W door) and 2 either side of the East Reception entrance (D and H door).  You may only access these entrances if your ticket has been activated in advance.
 
Q: Since buying my ticket, my mobility has been affected. Who can I ask for assistance and what happens if I’m physically unable to get to the seat I have a ticket for?
A: There are also 4 lifts available for supporter use around the stadium, please speak to a steward on the day who will be happy to assist. If you need further advice please contact the RFL Ticket Office.

Q:         Do you have audio commentary?
A RFL centrally organised matches now offer audio commentary for blind and visually impaired spectators (subject to availability of audio commentators). Spectators hiring the equipment will be able to sit wherever they want in the
stadium and hear commentary. To register for a receiver and headset please contact ticket office on 0844 856 1113
or email ticketing@rfl.uk.com prior to the week of the Event. Audio Commentary is subject to availability.