Visiting Etihad Stadium
Etihad Stadium is a soccer venue located in Manchester, home to the Manchester City Football Club. It was built to replace the historic Manchester City FC home ground, Maine Road. The complex was originally constructed for the 2002 Commonwealth Games, though the stadium blueprints were originally drafted for the city's bid to host the 2000 Olympic Games, which were ultimately awarded to Sydney. The stadium seats 55,000 spectators and also regularly hosts concerts, rugby matches, and boxing bouts.
Home of the Skyblues
Designed to host the Commonwealth Games, the stadium initially featured an athletics track. This was removed when the complex was converted for soccer. The first match held at the venue took place in 2003, featuring a friendly between Manchester City and FC Barcelona.
The City of Manchester Stadium was renamed Etihad in 2011. Following the 2008 acquisition of the club by owners from the United Arab Emirates, a naming rights deal was established with the Emirati airline of the same name. Over the last decade, the Manchester City team, known as the Skyblues or Cityzens, has climbed the ranks of English soccer. They became league champions in 2011, achieved a historic quadruple in 2019 by winning the Premier League, FA Cup, League Cup, and Community Shield, and secured the Champions League title in 2023.
A Modern Soccer Destination in Manchester
Etihad Stadium is a modern, comfortable sports complex equipped with the latest technology. The stadium tour is designed as an immersive experience, featuring audiovisual displays, holograms including one of Pep Guardiola, the current manager, and a 360-degree cinema presentation that highlights key moments in the history of the Manchester City FC.
Opening hours
*Information subject to change
A few years ago, everyone only talked about Manchester United and Old Trafford on an international level. Since the rival club, Manchester City, was bought by Abu Dhabi, the city's second club has found its place on the British and global football map. Completely redone by the new owners, the stadium, bearing the name of the Abu Dhabi airline, has become a superb football venue. Always full, it has a welcoming and very lively atmosphere. The English fans are numerous and sing throughout the entire match. To top it all off, the style of play produced by the local team, led by the genius Pep Guardiola, is polished and spectacular.