Old Trafford Stadium Tour Guide

Accessibility (Доступность)

Accessibility at Old Trafford refers to the stadium’s compliance with standards for visitors with disabilities. The venue provides designated seating areas for wheelchair users, accessible restrooms, and hearing-impaired facilities. Manchester United works with the Centre for Access to Football in Europe (CAFE) to ensure inclusive experiences. Tour visitors should note that not all historic areas, such as the original 1910 tunnel, are fully wheelchair-accessible; advance booking for assisted access is recommended. The stadium has published an accessibility guide on its official website, detailing step-free routes and sensory rooms for neurodivergent guests.

Bobby Charlton Stand (Стадион Бобби Чарльтона)

The Bobby Charlton Stand, formerly the South Stand, was renamed in 2016 to honour Sir Bobby Charlton, a surviving Munich air disaster hero and 1966 World Cup winner. This two-tier stand, rebuilt in 2006, houses the dressing rooms, the tunnel, and the directors’ box. Its lower tier is closest to the pitch, offering a low-angle view of the action. The stand’s naming reflects the club’s tradition of immortalising legends; it complements the Sir Alex Ferguson Stand and the Sir Matt Busby Stand in the stadium’s four-sided structure.

Club Store (Клубный магазин)

The Manchester United Megastore, located at the south-east corner of Old Trafford, is one of the largest club shops in world football. It spans two floors and stocks replica kits, training wear, souvenirs, and personalised merchandise. During a stadium tour, visitors can access the store without a matchday ticket. The store operates year-round, with extended hours on matchdays and during summer transfer windows. It also offers an online click-and-collect service for pre-ordered items.

Dressing Rooms (Раздевалки)

The home and away dressing rooms at Old Trafford are located beneath the Bobby Charlton Stand. The home dressing room features individual leather seats with personalised nameplates for each first-team player, a hydrotherapy pool, and a tactical whiteboard area. The away dressing room is notably smaller and less luxurious—a design choice attributed to Sir Alex Ferguson’s desire to psychologically unsettle opponents. Tour guides often highlight the contrast, noting that visiting teams have historically found the cramped space disorienting.

Dugouts (Технические зоны)

Old Trafford’s dugouts are sunken, padded seating areas for coaching staff and substitutes, located centrally along the Sir Bobby Charlton Stand side. They are covered by a transparent roof to protect from rain while allowing clear sightlines. The home dugout is closer to the tunnel, giving the home manager quicker access to the dressing room. In 2019, the dugouts were refurbished to include heated seats and improved communication systems for the coaching team.

Emirates Old Trafford (Крикетный стадион)

Emirates Old Trafford is a separate cricket ground located adjacent to Manchester United’s football stadium, owned by Lancashire County Cricket Club. Visitors sometimes confuse the two venues. The cricket ground hosts Test matches and county games, and its proximity means that on certain summer Saturdays, both football and cricket events occur simultaneously. Tourists should verify their booking address to avoid arriving at the wrong Old Trafford.

Fan Zone (Фан-зона)

The Fan Zone, formally known as the United Fan Zone, is a free-to-enter area outside the Sir Alex Ferguson Stand, open before home matches. It features live music, food stalls, and a large screen showing pre-match build-up. The zone opens three hours before kick-off and closes 30 minutes before the match starts. It is a popular meeting point for families and international visitors. During stadium tours on non-matchdays, the Fan Zone is usually empty but remains accessible for photography.

Giant Screen (Большой экран)

Two high-definition giant screens are installed in the north-east and south-west corners of Old Trafford. They display team line-ups, replays, match statistics, and sponsor advertisements. The screens were upgraded in 2019 to a 4K resolution. They are visible from every seat in the stadium, including the upper tiers. During tours, the screens are typically switched off, but guides may demonstrate them upon request.

Munich Tunnel (Мюнхенский тоннель)

The Munich Tunnel is a commemorative passageway beneath the Sir Bobby Charlton Stand, dedicated to the 1958 Munich air disaster. It contains photographs, newspaper clippings, and personal artefacts of the Busby Babes. The tunnel was opened in 2010 and is included in the standard stadium tour. Visitors often pause here to reflect on the tragedy and the club’s resilience. The tunnel leads to the players’ tunnel, creating a symbolic journey from remembrance to the pitch.

Museum (Музей)

The Manchester United Museum, located within the stadium complex, traces the club’s history from its founding as Newton Heath in 1878 to the present day. It houses three Premier League trophies, two European Cup replicas, and memorabilia from the Busby Babes and Sir Alex Ferguson eras. Interactive exhibits allow visitors to simulate penalty kicks or commentate on iconic goals. The museum is included in the standard tour ticket, but separate entry is available for museum-only visits.

North Stand (Северная трибуна)

The North Stand, also known as the Scoreboard End, is the smallest of Old Trafford’s four stands, with a capacity of approximately 7,000. It was built in 1995 as a single-tier structure and is the only stand without executive boxes. Its low roof and steep rake create an intense atmosphere, making it a favoured section for vocal supporters. The stand’s name derives from the original manual scoreboard that once stood behind it, now replaced by a digital display.

Pitch Dimensions (Размеры поля)

The Old Trafford pitch measures 105 metres in length and 68 metres in width, conforming to UEFA and FIFA standards. The playing surface is natural grass, reinforced with synthetic fibres to improve drainage and durability. The pitch is maintained by a team of four groundskeepers year-round. During winter months, undersoil heating is activated to prevent freezing. Tour visitors are not permitted to walk on the pitch unless on a special “Pitchside Experience” ticket.

Press Conference Room (Зал пресс-конференций)

The press conference room, located within the Sir Alex Ferguson Stand, can seat up to 80 journalists. It features a branded backdrop with Manchester United’s crest, a podium, and multiple camera positions. Post-match press conferences are held here, as are managerial announcements and player unveilings. During tours, visitors can sit in the seats and take photos at the podium. The room is soundproofed to prevent noise from the stadium interfering with broadcasts.

Quadrant (Квадрант)

The Quadrant is a four-sided digital advertising board system that surrounds the pitch at Old Trafford. Installed in 2014, it displays dynamic advertisements, match information, and sponsor logos. The boards are LED-based and can change content instantly, allowing for targeted advertising based on match events, such as goals or substitutions. They are visible from all stands and are a standard feature in modern Premier League stadiums.

Red Café (Красное кафе)

The Red Café is a themed restaurant within Old Trafford, open to tour visitors and matchday guests. It serves British pub-style food and offers views of the pitch through large windows. The walls are decorated with signed shirts and action photographs of former players. The café is particularly busy on matchdays, and reservations are recommended. It operates from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM on non-matchdays.

Sir Alex Ferguson Stand (Трибуна сэра Алекса Фергюсона)

The Sir Alex Ferguson Stand, formerly the North Stand, was renamed in 2011 to honour the club’s most successful manager. It is the largest stand at Old Trafford, with a capacity of approximately 26,000, including three tiers and executive suites. The stand houses the club’s administrative offices, the directors’ entrance, and the press conference room. Its naming was a rare honour while Ferguson was still active, reflecting his unprecedented 13 Premier League titles.

Sir Matt Busby Stand (Трибуна сэра Мэтта Басби)

The Sir Matt Busby Stand, originally the East Stand, was renamed in 1993 to commemorate the manager who rebuilt the club after the Munich air disaster. This two-tier stand has a capacity of around 11,000 and is known for its family-friendly atmosphere. It houses the club’s ticket office and the museum entrance. The stand’s upper tier offers a panoramic view of Greater Manchester, including the Trafford Centre in the distance.

Stadium Tour Routes (Маршруты экскурсий)

Old Trafford offers three main tour routes. The “Standard Tour” covers the museum, dressing rooms, tunnel, dugouts, and pitchside. The “Legends Tour” is led by a former player and includes additional anecdotes and photo opportunities. The “Matchday Tour” is available on non-matchdays but includes access to the press conference room and directors’ box. Tours last approximately 70–90 minutes. Group sizes are limited to 25 people to ensure a comfortable experience.

Tannoy System (Система оповещения)

The stadium’s public address system, known as the tannoy, is used for announcements, goal confirmations, and pre-match music. It is operated from a control room in the Sir Alex Ferguson Stand. The system is audible in all areas, including concourses and toilets. Before matches, the tannoy plays the club anthem “Glory, Glory Man United” and the Champions League anthem on European nights. Tour guides may demonstrate the system’s volume during visits.

Ticket Office (Касса)

The Manchester United ticket office is located at the Sir Matt Busby Stand. It operates from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM on weekdays and reduced hours on weekends. The office handles ticket sales for home matches, away fixtures, cup competitions, and stadium tours. Match tickets are generally sold through a membership system, with priority given to season-ticket holders. The ticket office does not sell tickets on matchdays unless previously reserved.

Tunnel (Тоннель)

The players’ tunnel at Old Trafford connects the dressing rooms to the pitch. It is 20 metres long and features a slight incline, designed so that players emerge at pitch level. The tunnel walls are lined with motivational quotes from Sir Alex Ferguson and images of past captains. The “This Is The Theatre of Dreams” sign, installed in 2018, is a popular photo spot. During tours, visitors walk through the tunnel and can imagine the pre-match tension.

Upper Tiers (Верхние ярусы)

The upper tiers of the Sir Alex Ferguson Stand and the Bobby Charlton Stand offer the highest vantage points in the stadium. From these seats, spectators can see the entire pitch and the surrounding Manchester skyline. The upper tiers are accessed via escalators and lifts. They have steeper gradients than the lower tiers, which can be challenging for visitors with vertigo. The upper tiers are typically the least expensive matchday seats.

VIP Suites (VIP-ложи)

Old Trafford contains 142 executive suites, ranging from 10-person boxes to 50-person lounges. They are located in the Sir Alex Ferguson Stand and the Bobby Charlton Stand. Each suite includes catering, a private bar, and television monitors. The “Red Devils Suite” is the most exclusive, featuring a glass-walled balcony overlooking the pitch. VIP suites are used for corporate hospitality, weddings, and private events on non-matchdays.

What to Check Before Booking

Before purchasing a stadium tour ticket, verify the following on the official Manchester United website: tour availability on your intended date (non-matchdays only), any maintenance closures (such as dressing room refurbishments), and age restrictions for children under five, who may be admitted free but must be accompanied. Also confirm whether the tour includes museum access, as some promotional tickets exclude it. For group bookings of 10 or more, advance notice of at least 14 days is typically required.