Supporters due to attend Arsenal’s match away to Manchester City on Sunday are advised that construction work at the Etihad Stadium may impact on their journey to the ground.
Manchester City have provided the following information to assist supporters attending the match:
Turnstiles open 90-minutes before kick-off and we would advise that you arrive no later than 45-minutes before kick-off to avoid any delays.
Below you will find information on:
- Before you arrive and supporter meeting point
- Flags on Level 2
- Pyrotechnics, flares and smoke bombs
- Visiting supporter access
- Matchday food offer
- Changes to the front wall of the Visitors Section – pitchside
- Safety Netting & Stadium Roof
- Code of Conduct: Respect the Badge
- After the match
Before you arrive
Ensure you check the latest travel information; delays are expected at the on-going roadworks around the stadium due to the expansion works, so please factor this in to your journey to avoid any delays in entering the stadium in time for kick off.
There is a safe, well lit and signposted walking route available from Manchester Piccadilly Station. Signage will direct you along the route. Please follow the ‘City Link’ signs. It will take approximately 25-minutes to walk to the Etihad Stadium from the city centre. For the safe walking map and further information on the Etihad Campus Metrolink and buses that alight immediately outside the Etihad Stadium, click here.
Parking is available on site and costs £10 per car, £20 per mini-bus and £30 per coach.
Supporter Meeting Point
There is no official visitor’s supporter meeting point in Manchester city centre, however the National Football Museum welcomes all to experience the world’s greatest football collection - over 140,000 items - including the FIFA Collection. The National Football Museum Café is adjacent to many other restaurants and bars for your enjoyment. Click here to find out more.
Pubs in the local vicinity of the stadium are generally used by home supporters. Manchester City asks for your co-operation both in and around the local community and that you are respectful of the surrounding residential areas. Drinking is not allowed in public areas across Greater Manchester. Greater Manchester Police will be in the city centre and around the stadium throughout the day to assist with any questions or to provide directions around the city centre.
Manchester City advises any visiting supporter without a valid match ticket not to travel, or if you do, to remain in Manchester city centre to watch the match.
Flags on Level 2
An LED display has been installed on the second tier of the Etihad Stadium to enhance the matchday experience for fans inside the stadium, although this means thatit is no longer possible to hang flags over Level 2.
Pyrotechnics, Flares and Smoke Bombs
Supporters will be searched prior to entering the stadium. These thorough searches will be carried out by Manchester City Football Club security and search dogs will be present at the turnstiles. Any supporter found with prohibited items in their possession (drugs, pyrotechnics, flares and smoke bombs) may be arrested.
Visiting Supporter Access
Manchester City advises that supporters arrive and enter the stadium earlier than usual to avoid any delays in getting to your seat. To ensure that all supporters enter the stadium via the correct entrances, Manchester City has implemented an additional soft ticket check upon arrival. Click here for a stadium plan that shows the external changes made at the South end of the stadium and the location of the soft ticket check area.
- Entrance K2 is for visiting supporters located on Level 1
- Entrance L1 and L2 are for visiting supporters located on Level 2
As a result of these works and the reduced space outside the entrances, it may appear that there are more stewards and police than usual but this is not the case. Manchester City have put both additional signage and support staff in place to make sure everyone can access the information they need for easy access and exit.
Matchday Food Offer
Buy one pizza slice, get one free. Have you ever tried our Margherita Pizza? If not, now is the opportunity with a buy one slice, get another free deal. A stone baked pizza crust with a rich tomato sauce, topped with mozzarella cheese is a perfect pre-match bite. Even better, it is ideal for two to try as you get a second slice absolutely free. This offer is available until kick off from all food kiosks inside the stadium. (excluding “Fabulous Fan Fayre” branded kiosks)
We offer a Chip & Pin service at the food outlets on the stadium concourse
Furthermore, if you have a contactless symbol on your card, you only need to tap it on the side of the terminal making your transactions even faster, easier and hassle free.
Changes to the front wall of the Visitors Section – pitch-side
As a result of the works being undertaken at pitch level, the front walls of Blocks 113, 114 and 115 have been removed. A temporary barrier/wall has been installed, supported by additional safety netting to ensure we maintain a safe and secure environment for all our visiting supporters.
Safety Netting & Stadium Roof
In addition to the front wall being removed as detailed above, the safety netting has also been removed from behind the goal at both ends of the Etihad Stadium. Please ensure that during the player warm up and the match that you take extra care and remain vigilant at all times.
As part of the on-going construction work to build the third level of the South Stand, sections of the roof were completely removed, from the corners adjacent to the visitors section. A temporary roof has been constructed over these sections which will remain in place for the duration of the construction works. However, in adverse weather conditions it may not be possible for the temporary roof to remain in-situ.
Code of Conduct: Respect the Badge
If you ever witness crime, vandalism, violence, drugs, the use of smoke bombs and pyrotechnics or abusive behaviour from home or visiting supporters, inside or outside the Etihad Stadium, make contact with a Manchester City steward as soon as you can and report your concerns. If you wish to report an incident to Manchester City after the match, you can do so here.
Manchester City Football Club are proud to support the Kick It Out campaign. The Kick It Out football fans’ guide to reporting abuse and discrimination can be found here or download the app today.
In 2008, the Justin Campaign was formed to tackle homophobia, biphobia and transphobia in football, and two years later the initiative FvH began. In supporting FvH, you are not only helping to make football a more inclusive and welcoming environment, you are also playing your part in making the society we live in a better place for everyone. Find out more and how you can take action here.
After the match
At the end of the match, there may be a request, in consultation with Greater Manchester Police, for visiting supporters to remain in the stadium for a short time whilst the immediate areas clear. You will be informed of this during the match via PA announcements. We will ensure that you are able to exit the stadium as soon as possible, so that you may commence your return journey.
Manchester City is committed to being a good neighbour to the residents of East Manchester. Please respect their homes and property by carefully disposing of your rubbish, using the toilets provided on the stadium campus, adhering to the residents parking scheme that is in operation and being mindful of minimising noise and disruption when you leave.
Ticket Collection and Enquiries
Manchester City expect the Stadium Ticket Office to be busy for this match, and ask that you take this in to consideration to ensure that you are able to take your seat in time for kick-off. Supporters are strongly advised to collect their tickets at least 60 minutes before kick-off.
Any visiting supporters who are collecting pre-purchased tickets may do so from the Stadium Ticket Office located in City Square (behind the stage). The Manchester City Stadium Ticket Office will be open from 11am until 4:15pm on matchday.
Visiting supporters with queries relating to their match ticket will be assisted on the day by the Manchester City Event Service Support Team who will be located outside the visitors end. They will endeavour to resolve your issue at this point but there may be occasions where you will be directed to the Stadium Ticket Office.
You can find details on the above and more within the Manchester City Visiting Supporter Guide. To keep up to date with the latest matchday information from the Etihad Stadium, you can follow @MCFCHELP. You can also call the Manchester City Supporter Services Team on 0161 444 1894 (option 1, option 3).
Manchester City would like to thank Arsenal supporters in advance for their understanding, apologise for any inconvenience this may cause and look forward to welcoming you to the Etihad Stadium.
Copyright 2024 The Arsenal Football Club Limited. Permission to use quotations from this article is granted subject to appropriate credit being given to www.arsenal.com as the source.