Three boys in heavy coats walk toward the Colin Bell Stand West Reception at Manchester City's Etihad Stadium. The sign above the doors says 'Champions 4-in-a-row.'

GOING TO A MANCHESTER CITY FOOTBALL (SOCCER) MATCH WITH KIDS – 10 Tips From Our Family to Yours

Are you heading to a Manchester City football (soccer) match at Etihad Stadium with your kids?  If so, you’re in for a treat!  Etihad Stadium has an incredible atmosphere on match days, and for my kids, going to a match there was an amazing experience. 

We’re a family of 5 (kids ages 10, 7, 4) and we just got back from Manchester after watching the squad defeat Chelsea 3-1. 

Our trip was months in the making, and I spent quite a bit of time making sure I was prepared for the match day at Etihad.

Here are 10 tips for attending a Manchester City match with kids, all based on my research and our experience at Etihad Stadium.  I hope they help you so that you can have a fun, memorable, and stress-free match day watching Manchester City!

Good To Know:  At the time of writing (February 2025), there’s still construction going on for the stadium renovation.  Some things below may change when the construction is complete.

Buy Tickets that Work for Your Family

Grass soccer pitch at Etihad Stadium in Manchester, UK. Man City and Chelsea players are on the field and the stands are packed.
This is what the view on Level 1 along the sideline looks like

You’ve got a few different options.  For example, you can buy tickets for your family in:

  • The Family Stand (North Stand, Level 1, Blocks 134-139)
  • Hospitality Sections

When deciding where to sit, keep in mind that higher up it’s easier to see what’s going on in the match, but lower down you’ll get a better view of the players. 

The away stand is in the South Stand, and it’s loud and rowdy, so I’d avoid being near it with kids.

When purchasing a ticket, you’ll need to have an annual club membership.  There are discounts for junior (kids) memberships.  A member can sometimes (but not always) purchase multiple tickets (so, not everyone in your family needs to get a membership).

You can also buy from a third-party site.

Prices vary depending on things like if it’s a regular season match or a Champions League match. 

What We Did: We purchased hospitality tickets and sat on the West Sideline in Level 1.  If we go back, I’d try to get tickets on one of the sidelines in Level 1 or Level 2.

Good To Know:  You’re least likely to hear swearing or colorful language in the family stands. 

Tip:  Bring photo ID for everyone in your group.  You may be asked for it (unlikely, but possible).

Purchase Souvenirs Before Match Day

Boy looks at jerseys on wall inside Etihad Stadium team shop. There are other aisles of clothing, scarves, toys.
My son checking out the sale jerseys at the Etihad Stadium Shop on the day before the match – look how empty it is!

For great prices, check online before you head to Manchester.  You may find some bargains on Manchester City players’ jerseys and other clothing that your kids can wear to the match.

Otherwise, if possible, head to the Etihad Stadium Shop the day before the match.  It’s much less crowded than on match days, and if your kids want to get anything printed, you’ll have short lines.  For example, we were there the day before the match and we were able to get jerseys printed without waiting in line – we went straight from the register to the printing line and our jerseys were finished in less than 10 minutes.  I was told that on match days, expect to wait 30-60 minutes in line to get your jersey printed.

Another option is to check out the Manchester City Shop inside the Arndale Shopping Centre in downtown Manchester.

And, of course, there are other smaller shops and stands set up around the city.  Just make sure you’re getting authentic clothing and equipment, so you don’t have to stress about the printed number on your jersey coming off after one wash.

What We Did:  My boys each had a jersey they planned on wearing to the match, and they found jerseys on sale (to wear back at home) at the Etihad Stadium Shop.

Leave Large Bags at Home

Check the Man City official site for the most up-to-date bag size restrictions.

When we went, it was the size of a small purse.

If you need to check your bag outside the stadium, you can for a fee (£10 at our match).

You can bring a diaper bag inside the stadium (wipes, diapers, milk and bottles, extra clothes, etc.).

You cannot enter Etihad Stadium with a stroller on match days.

What to pack in your bag(s):

  • ID for everyone
  • Hand sanitizer
  • Contactless payment (I used my phone)
  • Tickets (on your phone)
  • External charger
  • Ear protection for young kids (like Baby Banz)
  • Clothing layers (or have kids wear/tie around waist, etc)
  • Snacks for before match
  • Water (factory-sealed bottles only)

Use Public Transport When Possible

Father and son sit on seat in back of double decker bus in Manchester, UK.
My son and husband on the bus on the way to the match

You can arrive at Etihad Stadium from the city center by bus, tram, taxi, or even on foot.  Public transportation is the least expensive option, and it was easy to use and kid-friendly.  But don’t be afraid to use taxis if needed (if your kids are sleepy or their little legs are worn out).

What We Did:  We took the bus to the stadium and found it to be simple.  We had one change (just steps between the two buses) and although our second bus looked like it would be full, another pulled up and we were able to get on it.  We took a taxi home because our 4-year-old fell asleep and our late night bus trip would’ve included about 10 minutes of walking with our ‘heavy sack of potatoes.’

Good To Know:  There is a public bike hire system available (Bee Network), but you can’t rent helmets.

Balance Outdoor Pre-Match Entertainment with Indoor Warmups

Depending on the interests of your kids, you’ll have to decide where to spend your time pre-match.  Here are some things to think about and some times to consider:

  • The team arrives and enters on the west side of the stadium at the Colin Bell Stand.  They arrive around 90 minutes before kick-off.  If you want to get a good spot on the railing, go at least 3 hours before kick-off.  Yes, that seems extreme, but when we were there at 2:30pm (for a 5:30pm kick-off), the front of the railing was already 1-person deep.  I realize this can be extremely early if you’ve got small kids, but if you have, say, a 10-year-old, it’s a possibility.  You can see in the photo below where you can wait and where the players enter.
Boys wait next to blue barrier in front of Manchester City's Etihad Stadium. There are signs and decorations on the stadium in the team's colors of sky blue. Yellow arrows point to where fans should wait and where the players enter the stadium.
  • There’s family-friendly entertainment (think live music, quizzes, giveaways, interviews) outside the stadium as well.  It begins around 2 hours before kick-off.  Check the website for the exact location, because things have moved around due to the construction.
  • If you’re going to a weekend match, you can bring your children to the Man City Kids Fanzone.  Running for 2.5 hours pre-match, it takes place on the indoor pitch at the City Football Academy (you have to walk over this bridge from Etihad Stadium to get to it).  There are interactive events (skills tests, games, etc), giveaways, and you can walk as a large group across the bridge to the stadium.  Note that you must reserve the free tickets (on the Man City website) to enter the pitch and Fanzone.  You don’t have to have tickets to the match to participate in the Fanzone.
  • The stadium gates also open up around 2 hours before the match kick-off.  So, you can head inside and watch the warmups.  At our match, the Man City players went out onto the pitch at about 45 minutes until kick-off.  If your kids play soccer, it’s definitely worth watching how the players warm-up, which exercises and drills they do, and how they interact with each other. 

Enter the Stadium with Full Bellies

Avoid getting ‘hangry’ and have your kids eat a meal before the match. 

However, know that there are food kiosks inside Etihad Stadium, and you can order food for special diets as well (vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, allergies, etc.).

If you want to eat a classic British meal outside the stadium, get takeaway fish and chips at Tony’s Stadium Chippy.

If you’re looking for a quick snack or something specific, there’s an Asda Grocery Store across the bridge.

Exception:  If you’ve got a meal included with your tickets (for example, you’ve reserved hospitality), make sure your kids don’t eat too much before arriving!

Know Where Your Toilets Are

Outside of Etihad Stadium – You can use the outdoor toilet opposite Tower C.  It’s on the northeast corner of the stadium.  The towers are the spirals that are attached to the stadium – just look for the one with the sign on it that says ‘Entrance C.’

In the Etihad Team Shop – On match days, you can’t use the toilets inside the shop. 

Be sure to have your kids go to the bathroom before leaving your hotel (there aren’t any toilets on the bus or tram).

Inside Etihad Stadium – There are plenty toilets available in the stadium. Like all sporting venues, they get busy during half time.

Have a Form of Contactless Payment

Etihad Stadium is cashless, so you’ll need some form of contactless payment.  If you’re using your phone or watch, make sure they’re fully-charged when you head to the stadium.  I also carried (and ended up using) an external charger for my phone.

Prepare for the Weather

Players in seats at Etihad Stadium. They wear heavy coats. Part of the seating area is covered by an overhang.
My boys watching the match

I’m mostly thinking of the matches in the cold Manchester winter.  Dress in warm layers, and have a plan for rain if you’re sitting in an area without an overhang.  You may also want to have rain layers if you’re planning on attending pre-match activities outside the stadium and the forecast predicts rain.  In an emergency, you can stop in the Decathlon (sporting goods store) on the other side of the bridge (between Etihad Stadium and the City Football Academy).  They sell rain ponchos and rain jackets.

In summer months, wear sunscreen!  And depending on the forecast, you may still want to have a layer with you for the evening.

Post-Match, Leave the Stadium Early or Wait

If you want to avoid the rush of the crowd post-match, leave a few minutes before the end of the match (I know, if your kids are really into the match, this isn’t an option).

Otherwise, take it easy after the match and let the crowds thin out a bit before leaving. 

I hope this helps you plan your visit to Etihad Stadium for a Man City football match with your kids!  We had such a fun, memorable time, and I wish the same for your family as well!

Visiting the UK? Be sure to check out
Visiting London’s Tower Bridge with Kids
Harry Potter Studio Tour – Our Experience
Weekend in Manchester with Kids – Our Soccer-Focused Itinerary

Manchester City’s Tunnel Club Premier – Our Experience
Things to Do in Manchester with a 10-Year-Old
Family Packing List for a Winter Weekend in Manchester

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Going to a Soccer Game in Italy
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