The football team Manchester United is no stranger to sports enthusiasts. Old Trafford Stadium is the dream destination of any passionate fan, wishing to set foot here to admire and explore. If you’re planning a trip to the beautiful city of Manchester and intend to visit this famous stadium, here are some useful tips you should keep in mind.
Introduction to Old Trafford Stadium
Located in the city of Manchester, United Kingdom, Old Trafford Stadium was established by Sir Matt Busby, who played a significant role in making Manchester United renowned worldwide. Old Trafford has a seating capacity of up to 76,000 people, making it the second-largest football stadium in the UK and the 9th largest in Europe. The stadium has undergone two renovations and upgrades to become what it is today. Currently, the main leadership of Manchester United is studying the possibility of expanding the seating capacity to 88,000.
Apart from its vast area and impressive seating capacity, Old Trafford Stadium is also known as the “Theatre of Dreams.” This name holds great spiritual significance for generations of Manchester United players. The club’s initial history began when railway company workers from Lancashire and Yorkshire came together to form a football team. During its early years, the team faced the threat of disbandment several times, but they held onto their faith and achieved certain successes. However, it was not enough to keep the team afloat, as they faced significant losses after the Munich air disaster in 1958. The club was on the verge of collapse, but the members of Manchester United were not deterred; they endeavored to continue their dream. With talent and determination, Sir Bobby Charlton brought glory back to Manchester United, transforming them from an ordinary team into European champions. It was he who gave the nickname “Theatre of Dreams” to Old Trafford Stadium.
Impressive Records of Old Trafford Stadium include the highest attendance recorded at 76,962 for an FA Cup semi-final match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Grimsby Town on March 25, 1939. The lowest attendance record for an official match at Old Trafford is 11,968 spectators, which was during the match between Manchester United and Fulham on April 29, 1950.
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Exploring Old Trafford Stadium
The first impressive sight for visitors is the two famous statues of Sir Alex Ferguson and the United Trinity. Sir Alex Ferguson’s statue honors the immense contributions of the Scottish strategist to Manchester United over 26 years. Standing at 2.7 meters tall, it was made of bronze and erected on November 23, 2012. The second statue, United Trinity, depicts the three greatest football talents of the 1960s: George Best, Denis Law, and Sir Bobby Charlton.
The stands inside Old Trafford Stadium include the South Stand, North Stand, East Stand, and West Stand. The South Stand is the central area of the stadium, housing the coaching staff, security control room, TV broadcasting operations, and administrative offices. The North Stand is special as it bears the name of Sir Alex Ferguson, and it includes the Manchester United Museum, a heritage room, a restaurant area, and special rooms for VIP guests. The East Stand is the home of passionate Manchester United fans. In addition to regular seating, fans can find designated areas for ultras in the Southeast corner and accessible seating nearby. The West Stand, also known as the Stretford End, is the gathering place for the most fervent fans, who cheer and support the players throughout the game.
In addition to the main areas, visitors can explore other sections of Old Trafford to get a better sense of the world-famous football stadium. This includes the dressing rooms, with standout features such as wooden benches and hooks for the players’ jerseys, each with the name of its owner. Each seat is positioned in line with the TV screens, tactical boards, and countdown clocks so that players can understand and follow the instructions of the coaches. After admiring the dressing room area, visitors can visit the traditional room, which houses memorabilia and championship trophies from the establishment of the football club until now. Besides displaying notable achievements, this area also dedicates a corner to pay tribute to the victims of the Munich air disaster in 1958.
Tips for Visiting Old Trafford Stadium
Typically, visitors who come to Old Trafford Stadium also combine their visit with other attractions in the United Kingdom. You can fly to London and then travel to Manchester from there. There are various transportation options available, such as airplanes, underground trains, buses, and more. If you choose the bus, you can walk to Manchester City Centre and take bus route 263 to Warwick Road station, then walk an additional 5 minutes to reach Old Trafford Stadium. Additionally, if you want to save more time on transportation, you can book an Uber for a quicker journey.
You can purchase tickets to visit Old Trafford Stadium at the ticket counter or online through the official website. If you want a comprehensive experience and deeper understanding of the history and culture of Manchester United and the city of Manchester, you can hire a guide for a more enriching experience.
Inside Old Trafford, there is a restaurant called Red Cafe with relatively high prices, and visitors are not allowed to bring outside food, so keep that in mind. Before you leave, don’t forget to buy some souvenirs to commemorate your journey of exploring the dreamlike Old Trafford Stadium.
If you want to visit Old Trafford Stadium during football matches, here are some tips when buying match tickets:
To purchase football match tickets, you need to register for a Manchester United Membership account on the official website. Registration fees apply (prices vary each season), and each account is limited to buying one ticket per match. However, in major and crucial competitions, ticket availability is limited, so you need to act quickly to secure tickets.
Conclusion
Indeed, Old Trafford Stadium is an impressive sightseeing spot that you shouldn’t miss during your trip to the United Kingdom. We hope that through this article from Football Fan FC, you’ve gained valuable information for your upcoming travel adventure.
