Iconic Stadiums - Old Trafford

Rising high over the Bridgewater Canal, on the Western edge of the city of Manchester, is Old Trafford, one of world football’s most iconic arenas – nicknamed the Theatre of Dreams by Manchester United legend Bobby Charlton.

We’re proud to have worked with the football club for a long period of time as an official hospitality reseller. Our top package at Old Trafford is the Evolution Suite, which overlooks the pitch in the North West corner of the ground. Walking into the suite and looking out over the pitch is a breathtaking experience for football fans of all ages, and is something you’ll never forget.

Full of History

The largest club football stadium in the UK, with a capacity of 74,310, Old Trafford has been the club’s home ground since 1910, although the modern glass and steel edifice you see today is a long way from the original 100,000 capacity ground designed by legendary stadium architect Archibald Leitch, which only had one covered stand.

Quite fittingly when you consider how rivalries have played out over the subsequent century and a bit, the first game played at Old Trafford was against Liverpool, with the visitors winning 4-3, the first of many legendary clashes at the stadium between these two sides.

Prior to the construction of Wembley Stadium, Old Trafford was also chosen to host two FA Cup Finals, and an international clash between England and Scotland. In more recent times, as international football was taken on the road by the Football Association during the building of the new Wembley, England returned to Old Trafford, perhaps most memorably on October 6th 2001 when local favourite David Beckham curled in a 93rd minute free kick against Greece to send England to the World Cup Finals.

Seating Changes and the Future

Old Trafford became an all-seated arena in the early 1990s, as required by English law, temporarily reducing the capacity to 44,000, but as success on the pitch under Sir Alex Ferguson increased, and the stadium was selected to host games in the 1996 European Championships, further development was required. Initially the North Stand was rebuilt, to house 25,000 spectators, and subsequently further tiers of seating were added to the East and West Stands. In 2006 the most recent expansion was completed, with a further 8,000 seats installed in the two corners of the North Stand. Further development is likely in the future, which could include adding a second level to the Bobby Charlton Stand, which is the only single tiered part of the ground. If it mirrors the Alex Ferguson stand that it faces, this could increase Old Trafford’s capacity to 95,000, which would make an incredible sporting arena even more impressive.

Local attractions

If you’re keen to turn your Old Trafford visit into a min-break, the stadium is a short walk from Salford Quays, home to the impressive Imperial War Museum North, the Lowry Theatre, a large Outlet shopping centre and numerous excellent bars, restaurants and hotels.

Check out the games we have available here, or give us a call on (+44) 01454 201210 and we’ll help you find the best option for you and your group.