There’s no football destination on earth that better reflects the color of contemporary sport than Etihad Stadium. A Manchester City FC home stadium, this stunning stadium proudly sits in East Manchester, marrying sporting prowess with neat city dynamism. No matter what your event is – a match, a concert, or a stadium tour – knowing where Etihad Stadium is can really make your experience a whole lot simpler, especially on game days when the streets are alive with supporters from all corners of the UK and beyond.
Planning is essential. On match days, roads fill up quickly, and trams and buses become packed within minutes., and public transportation is packed within minutes. Having your travel strategy with you, whether it’s via tram, train, bus, car, or even on foot,t saves you time, money, and a whole lot of stress. This manual takes you through each working method of arriving at the Etihad, including parking, accessibility, and advice to ensure your experience is unbroken from beginning to end.
Where Is Etihad Stadium Located?
For anyone visiting Manchester for the first time, the question often starts with:
- Address: You’ll find it at Etihad Campus, Ashton New Road, Manchester M11 3FF, around two miles east of the city centre.
- The stadium sits within a modern sporting complex that also includes the City Football Academy, training grounds, and sports facilities.
The local area, East Manchester, has long since been heavily regenerated over the last few years. Its proximity to hip neighbouring districts like Ancoats and the Northern Quarter, which are famous for their bohemian atmosphere, cafes, and mural street art, makes events like the National Cycling Centre and Philips Park walking distance.
It is a fascinating site to stop by beforehand or afterwards.
With excellent access to public transport and a wealth of local facilities, it’s one of the city’s most publicly accessible venues.
Getting to Etihad Stadium by Taxi or Ride Share
If ease and convenience are your concern, a ride-sharing or a taxi is one of the most convenient means to access the stadium. My London Transfers services are extremely popular in Manchester and typically have an ample number of drivers ready for pick-up before and after major events.
- A trip from the city centre to Etihad Stadium takes about 10–15 minutes
- Fair is typically between £8 and £15, subject to traffic and demand.
- Most drop points are around Ashton New Road and Gate 11.
- Pick-up points are also well signposted to help manage post-match traffic.
Travel Tip: Prices increase immediately upon going full-time. To save yourself hassle, walk a few blocks off the principal gates before securing your return journey.
Travel to Etihad Stadium by Public Transport
The most convenient way to reach the stadium is by public transport, particularly on match days when there isn’t room for cars. Manchester has a wide tram, train, and bus system, so it’s very easy to get to the ground from anywhere in the city or even from further afield.
By Tram (Metrolink)
The Metrolink tram is usually the popular option for supporters and visitors who go to the stadium.
The Etihad Campus stop is the nearest, which is immediately on the ground. It is operated by the Ashton-under-Lyne line, offering direct and convenient travel from Manchester city centre in around 10–15 minutes.
Some trams run to schedule, 6–12 minutes, and there would also be supplementary trams running before and after a large event to assist with the queue. If you’re coming from the city center, you can access the tram from main stops such as Piccadilly Gardens, Market Street, or St Peter’s Square. Just look at the Ashton line and you’ll be at the door of the stadium.
Insider Tip: Trams become really crowded after matches. For a less crowded ride, walk 10–15 minutes to Clayton Hall or Velopark stops and take the train there.
By Train
Suppose you are traveling from outside Manchester and are unsure how to travel to Etihad Stadium on public transport.
In that case, the best plan is to come into Manchester Piccadilly, the city centre railway station. Trains from all of the major cities, such as London, Liverpool, Leeds, and Birmingham, arrive here regularly.
When you arrive at Piccadilly, you have three simple options to complete your journey:
- From the Ashton-under-Lyne line, take the Metrolink tram to Etihad Campus (approximately 10 minutes).
- From the station, take a taxi outside for a direct 10–15 minute journey.
- The 1.5-mile walk will take approximately 25–30 minutes along well-signposted routes.
- If you’re travelling from London, direct services with Avanti West Coast take just over two hours to reach Manchester Piccadilly.
- From Liverpool, the journey is around one hour, while from Leeds or Birmingham it’s typically between 1.5 and 2 hours.
- Whatever your starting point, the rail network makes getting to the stadium straightforward and stress-free.
By Bus
For less expensive fans, the Manchester bus network is an inexpensive option. Several services between East Manchester and Manchester city centre stop near the stadium.
One of the options for services is:
- Service 216 from Piccadilly Gardens to Ashton-under-Lyne (outside the stadium)
- Service 217 and 230 from Manchester city centre and Droylsden, and surrounding areas
- A journey from Manchester city centre usually takes 20–25 minutes, depending on the weather.
- The fares are affordable, and you can pay with a contactless payment card or a System One travel ticket for ease across buses and trams.
- Buses will be more crowded on match days, so simply allow a little longer.
Driving to Etihad Stadium
You travel by car to the stadium, although it is not generally the easiest on peak match days. The stadium is well covered by a range of principal roads, such as the
M60, M62, M67, and A57 (M).
From the city centre of Manchester, take A635 or A662 eastwards toward Ashton-under-Lyne and take signs for the Etihad Campus.
- Traffic leading up to and within the area can become busier two hours before kick-off and after matches.
- Pre-check Google Maps or Waze for current data ahead of time before traveling.
- Be aware of one-way systems and restriction orders that include streets utilized in events.
Parking Near Etihad Stadium
There are official car parks on the Etihad Campus, but these have to be pre-booked on Manchester City’s official website. These lots fill up very quickly, particularly for Premier League games. There are several private car parks in the area schools, office complexes, and residential drives, that provide pay-and-display bays on match days, typically within a 10–20 minute walking distance.
If you’d prefer to avoid post-match traffic altogether, consider using a Park and Ride option. Stations like Ashton Moss and Audenshaw offer parking and easy tram links straight to Etihad Campus.
Walking and Cycling to Etihad Stadium
If you’re in the city proper, it’s a pleasant walk to the stadium and particularly delightful on a warm sunny day. 25–30 minutes will deliver you from the city centre (two miles) through lively neighbourhoods such as Ancoats. As you get near, you’ll probably be added to throngs of supporters making their way there as well, ramping up the anticipation.
Cycling is an excellent means of travel, with cycle paths on Ashton New Road and safe cycle posts outside stadium entrances. It’s environmentally friendly, time-efficient travel that enables you to reach the stadium ahead of the queues after the match.
Travel to Etihad Stadium from Other UK Cities
Arriving from other regions within the UK? Here’s how to plan your trip effectively:
- From London: Train from London Euston to Manchester Piccadilly (approximately 2 hours 10 minutes). Then tram or taxi for the final leg, the quickest method for anyone unsure how to travel from London to Etihad Stadium.
- From Liverpool: Regular direct trains reach Manchester in about 1 hour, followed by a short tram ride to Etihad Campus, perfect if you’re searching for how to get to Etihad Stadium from Liverpool.
- From Leeds or Birmingham: Both cities offer frequent services to Manchester Piccadilly, taking between 1.5 and 2 hours. From there, the tram makes the connection effortless.
- From Leeds or Birmingham: Both cities offer frequent services into Manchester Piccadilly, taking between 1.5 and 2 hours. From there, the tram makes the connection effortless.
Conclusion
How you arrive at Etihad Stadium is easy once you know you have choices. If you are coming by tram from the city center, train from anywhere else in the UK, or by automobile with pre-booked parking, Manchester transport systems make it easy to arrange your visit.
On game days, public transportation is the greenest, best-looking, most efficient, and least expensive part of the shared infrastructure. And when you finally arrive, surrounded by sky-blue jerseys, ear-shattering cheers, and the hum of anticipation in the air, you will realize why this stadium is so very nearly football.
The next time someone asks how to get to Etihad Stadium, you’ll have the answer and maybe even a few local tips of your own.
