---
title: "Old Trafford away guide: What Man City fans need to know"
canonical: "https://readmancity.com/2026/09/13/old-trafford-away-guide-man-city-fans/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Gary Gowers"
section: "Stadium Guide"
published: "2026-09-13T09:00:00Z"
modified: "2026-09-22T19:01:08Z"
---

# Old Trafford away guide: What Man City fans need to know

**There are away grounds that require a little research before** [**City**](https://readmancity.com/) **supporters set off. Old Trafford probably isn’t one of them.**

One of the most famous football stadiums in the world is also just a few miles across Manchester, and plenty of Blues heading there later will have made the journey loads of times.

But away guides are part of our match-weekend routine at Read Man City, so you’re getting one anyway. And, to be fair, turnstiles, bag rules, transport arrangements and everything else around a Premier League matchday do change.

So, for anyone making their first Manchester derby trip — and for those who haven’t ventured across town for a while — here’s what you need to know.

## Old Trafford away guide at a glance

| **Stadium** | Old Trafford |
| --- | --- |
| **Address** | Sir Matt Busby Way, Manchester, M16 0RA |
| **Away entrance** | South-East corner |
| **Turnstiles open** | Two hours before kick-off |
| **Bag limit** | 20cm x 15cm x 5cm |
| **Away bag drop** | Car park E2 |
| **Bag-drop charge** | £5 |
| **Nearest tram stops** | Old Trafford / Wharfside |
| **Kick-off on Sunday** | 4.30pm BST |

## Where do Man City fans enter Old Trafford?

This is where we resist the temptation to write simply: *you know where it is.*

Visiting supporters enter Old Trafford through the South-East corner of the stadium, with the away turnstiles opening two hours before kick-off.

United advise supporters to arrive in plenty of time, as everyone entering the ground is subject to security screening. Have your ticket ready and follow the entrance information provided with it rather than relying on where you remember going last time.

## What’s the best way to get to Old Trafford?

For City supporters, the answer rather depends on which side of Greater Manchester you’re starting from.

Old Trafford is well served by public transport, with Metrolink usually the obvious option for supporters who aren’t walking or being dropped nearby. The Old Trafford stop on the Altrincham line is one familiar route, while Wharfside on the Trafford Park line is another option close to the stadium.

Those travelling into Manchester city centre have plenty of connections through the Metrolink network, but services will inevitably be busy before and after a Manchester derby.

If you’ve somehow arrived in Manchester from further afield without knowing where Old Trafford is, congratulations on avoiding football for the previous century or so.

## Can Man City fans drive to Old Trafford?

You can, although matchday traffic around Trafford is tricky to say the least.

Parking immediately around Old Trafford is restricted on matchdays, and official parking should be booked in advance where available. Road closures and large numbers of pedestrians also mean getting away by car can take time.

For most supporters with a sensible public-transport option, tram, train, bus or a combination of them will be less troublesome.

## What is the Old Trafford bag policy?

This is probably the section even Old Trafford regulars should read because United operate a strict bag policy.

Bags larger than 20cm x 15cm x 5cm — roughly A5 size — are not allowed onto the stadium footprint, other than permitted medical or childcare exceptions.

For visiting supporters who do arrive with a larger bag, the designated away-supporter bag drop is in car park E2. It costs £5, opens four hours before kick-off and closes two-and-a-half hours after the final whistle.

All bags are searched, while supporters themselves are subject to screening on entry. The simplest option is therefore the obvious one: don’t take a bag unless you need one.

## What can you take into Old Trafford?

Small fold-up umbrellas, small bottles of hand gel and pocket-sized mobile phones are among the items permitted by United.

Supporters can also take in a clear plastic bottle of water of 500ml or less with the top removed. Alcohol, cans, glass bottles, flasks, large cameras, laptops and tablets are among the prohibited items.

Flags and banners are subject to their own restrictions, so anyone planning something more ambitious than a scarf should check United’s current prohibited-items guidance before travelling.

## What is the Old Trafford away end like?

It seems faintly ridiculous to describe Old Trafford to Manchester City supporters, but we did promise you an away guide.

Visiting fans are situated in the South-East corner, where the Sir Bobby Charlton Stand meets the East Stand. It puts the travelling support close to the pitch and, for a derby, there is unlikely to be much difficulty generating an atmosphere.

Whatever your feelings about the club who play there — and we’re going to take a wild guess — Old Trafford remains one of football’s great stages (sorry).

It opened in 1910, has staged some of the biggest matches in English and European football and is recognised around the world. A Manchester derby there still feels like a proper occasion, however many times you’ve made the short journey across town.

## Getting away after the Manchester derby

Patience helps. The tram stops, surrounding roads and walking routes become extremely busy after the final whistle, and supporters using public transport should expect queues.

If you’re heading back into central Manchester, there are several possible routes rather than automatically joining the biggest queue you can see. Check live Metrolink information after the game and allow some extra time. Of course, if City have won, nobody will be in quite such a hurry.

For the latest injury news, kick-off time and television information, see our [Man Utd v Man City: Team news, TV channel and how to watch](https://readmancity.com/man-utd-man-city-team-news-tv-channel-how-to-watch/) guide.

You can also revisit our look at [five Manchester derby moments City fans will never forget](https://readmancity.com/2026/09/09/five-manchester-derby-moments-city-fans/) ahead of Sunday’s game.

Supporters should check [Manchester United’s official visiting supporters guide](https://www.manutd.com/en/club/visit-old-trafford/visiting-supporters-guide) and [current stadium safety and bag information](https://www.manutd.com/en/safety-and-security) before travelling.

*Keep across all the latest stories from City and around the division with our [LIVE! Premier League 2026/27 News, Transfers, Updates & Viral Moments](https://dave.sport/live/premier-league-2026-2027-season-updates/) page.*