Trains to Old Trafford
Fittingly nicknamed “The Theatre of Dreams” by the footballing great, Sir Bobby Charlton, Old Trafford is home to the world-famous Manchester United Football Club. No matter what your colours are, many football fans will agree this historic stadium is etched into the fabric of British, european, and world football.
So, whether you’re travelling to support your home team, travelling to Manchester on an away day, or going to tour the magnificent stadium, discover how to get to Old Trafford Stadium by train with CrossCountry.
Getting to Old Trafford Stadium by train
The closest train station to Old Trafford is Manchester Piccadilly, about 30 minutes from the stadium. On match day, the surrounding area can get extremely busy, so it may be wise to travel by public transport if possible. The stadium is accessible by jumping on the Metro line to the Old Trafford stop or by bus - public transport connections can be easily made at Manchester Piccadilly.
CrossCountry runs many services to Manchester Piccadilly; the most popular routes include Birmingham to Manchester, Bristol to Manchester, and Cardiff to Manchester.
About Old Trafford Stadium
The stadium officially opened in 1910 following a move from the nearby stadium of Bank Street; and opened with a match against fierce rivals Liverpool. This match finished with a 3-4 loss for Manchester United, but over the years, the two clubs have shared magnificent matches and battled hard for league and cup trophies.
During the air raids of World War II, the stadium was heavily damaged, causing the club to have to temporarily share grounds with local rivals Manchester City at Maine Road. Following its reconstruction, Old Trafford has hosted international football tournaments, being selected as one of the host stadiums for the 1966 World Cup and 30 years later for the Euro 1996 tournament.
In 2011, the North Stand got renamed the Sir Alex Ferguson Stand in honour of the club’s most successful manager – an all-around club legend. The stadium’s current capacity is 74,310; the largest in the Premier League, welcoming fans from all over the UK and Europe.
Things to Do at Old Trafford
Perhaps you’re in Manchester on a non-match day or looking for a fun day out with the family. Old Trafford has plenty of things to do for the whole family, even when a game isn’t on. The Museum & Stadium Tour is a great place to start if you like history. The club has had a rich and turbulent history from the tragedy of the Munich Air Disaster, followed by the Busby Babes, to multiple trophies won over the years - all of which you can see in the incredible trophy room. You can then find the kit room, where you’ll see match-worn shirts from club legends such as Sir Bobby Charlton, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Wayne Rooney.
After learning everything about the club’s history, you can then head out on the stadium tour where you can follow in the footsteps of some of the world’s greatest ever players. Check out the newly refurbished dressing rooms, walk down the famous Old Trafford tunnel, and to the dugouts to sit in the manager’s seat. Make sure to bring your camera to capture every moment of the day! Take something home to cherish and visit the megastore to discover the club’s kits, merchandise and accessories. Before you leave, it’s well worth taking a walk around the stadium to see the statues of Sir Matt Busby, Sir Alex Ferguson, and the Uniter Trinity; followed by the Munich Tunnel, the Munich clock, and the Munich plaque to pay your respects.
