Stadium Guides: Manchester United - Old Trafford

Everything you need to know about one of the most iconic football stadiums in the world, Manchester United's Old Trafford. 

Key stadium details:

Stadium name:	Old Trafford
Where:	Manchester
Tenants:	Manchester United
Capacity:	74,310
Opening date:	Saturday 19th February 1910

Which team plays at Old Trafford?

Old Trafford is the home of Manchester United, one of the biggest football clubs in European Football. United play all of their domestic and European home fixtures at the stadium.

Old Trafford has also been regularly been used to host domestic cup fixtures, international football matches and European club competitions such as the Champions League.

Why is Old Trafford called the ‘Theatre of Dreams’?

Old Trafford was given the nickname ‘Theatre of Dreams’ by former player and club legend Bobby Charlton.

Is Old Trafford being extended?

Planned expansion work has been touted regularly over the past decade, with a £100m renovation project proposed which would make Old Trafford this biggest in the UK, with a total capacity of 100,000.

The work has been long delayed due to logistical reasons, with a major issue being the potential need to ground share during building works, the only viable temporary moves being to fierce rivals Manchester City or Liverpool, both of which would seem unlikely.

Manchester United have extended and redeveloped Old Trafford a number of times throughout the years, partially due to World War Two bomb damage, with the most recent works being completed in 2006.

Is Old Trafford the biggest stadium in the world?

No, but with a capacity of 74,310, Old Trafford is the biggest club football stadium in the UK.

If expansion work was completed to a total capacity of 100,000 the stadium would outstrip both Wembley Stadium and Barcelona’s Camp Nou to become the biggest football stadium in Europe.

What is the record attendance at Old Trafford?

The record attendance at Old Trafford was set way back in 1939 when Old Trafford hosted the FA Cup Semi-Final between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Grimsby, where 76,962 fans packed in to see their teams compete.

Where is Old Trafford located?

The stadium is located in the Old Trafford area of Stretford in the Metropolitan Borough of Trafford, Greater Manchester. It is located approximately 3km from Manchester City Centre.

Why is the stadium called Old Trafford?

The stadium takes its name from the area that it is built upon, the Old Trafford area of Stretford in the Metropolitan Borough of Trafford, Greater Manchester.

How do I get to Old Trafford?

Old Trafford is easily reachable by public transport, with Old Trafford Station a short five-minute walk from the ground and is accessible for wheelchair users.

Car parking is available, with the purchase of a relevant pass, but roads around the stadium can be very busy on match day and visitors are encouraged to plan their journey ahead of time.

The stadium address is: Sir Matt Busby Way, Old Trafford, Stretford, Manchester, M16 0RA.

Can I visit Old Trafford?

Visitors to Old Trafford can purchase Museum and Stadium tours, with the option of taking a guided tour by Manchester United legends.

The tour offers visitors the opportunity to walk the player’s tunnel, a pitch side walk and a visit to the dugouts.

The club also offer food and drink at the Red Café and have a Manchester United megastore inside the stadium.

What major events have taken place at Old Trafford?

Old Trafford has hosted some of the most prestigious events in sport including matches at the 1996 World Cup, the 1996 European Championships, the 2012 Summer Olympics and the 2003 Champions League final.

The stadium has also used for Rugby matches and has hosted the Super League Grand Final every year since the leagues inception, with the exception of 2020 due to Covid-19 restrictions and schedule issues.

In 1993 Old Trafford hosted the Super-Middleweight title fight between bitter domestic rivals Chris Eubank and Nigel Benn with 42,00 0 in attendance.

Aside from sport, the stadium has also hosted several high profile music concerts, with the likes of Bon Jovi, Bruce Springsteen and Rod Stewart playing at Old Trafford.