Are you planning a visit to the home of the Manchester City Football Club? Then you’ll want to know Etihad Stadium’s bag policy. Whether you’re catching a game or concert, learn what to expect during your trip, including local accommodations and transportation options.
About Etihad Stadium
Standing 2.5 km east of the city center, Etihad Stadium in Manchester is the fifth largest Premier League stadium and home to the Manchester City Football Club. Formerly called the City of Manchester Stadium (CoMS), it was renamed in 2011 after sponsorship by Etihad Airways. Besides football games, the stadium has hosted rugby matches, boxing matches, concerts, and more. The capacity is 53,400 people for football games and up to 60,000 people for concerts or other events.
Starting in 2021, the stadium upgraded its food line up to include local independent vendors. This includes vegan and vegetarian options, local breweries, and restaurants such as HM Pasties, Panchos Burritos, and Triple B & Eat New York. You can learn more about the stadium by booking one of the following tours they offer:
- The Stadium Tour, including a walk down the players’ tunnel
- City Football Academy Tour
- Countdown to Kick-Off Tour on matchdays
- Walk with a Legend Tour
Etihad Stadium Bag Policy
Upon arriving at Etihad Stadium, you will have to go through a security check where they inspect the contents of your bags and conduct pat-down searches. The Etihad Stadium bag policy allows small handheld bags up to 12” x 8 ”x3” (or A4 size).
The stadium prohibits visitors from bringing backpacks, holdalls, rucksacks, and similar bags of any size. The following are also not allowed:
- Oversized bags
- Weapons
- Air horns
- Narcotics
- Fireworks or flares
- Bottles, cans, or glasses
- Cameras
- Long umbrellas
- Food or drink
- Selfie sticks
- Tablet PCs
- Pushchairs or prams
During Manchester City Football Club game days, if you have a medical condition requiring you to bring a bag or any equipment, you must contact the Access Team at access@mancity.com.
Luggage Storage Near Etihad Stadium
When visiting Manchester city and catching a game or concert at Etihad Stadium, you’ll need a place to store your larger belongings. The stadium offers bag drop facilities on game days, however, it’s first-come-first-served and only available during the match. The bag drop costs £10 or a discounted rate of £5 for Season Ticket holders.
If you want something you can book in advance and store your bag for longer periods, consider a StashPoint near Etihad Stadium. Stasher offers affordable, safe, and fully insured luggage storage options for only £6 per day, and £6 for any additional day. Search on Stasher for locations!
Etihad Stadium Transportation
Whether you are driving, walking, cycling, or taking public transportation, there are plenty of options to get to Etihad Stadium to catch your event.
Driving
You need to pre-book car parking spots in advance for anyone driving to Etihad Stadium. The prices are around £8 for two or more passengers and £10 for single-occupancy cars. Also, be aware of road closures immediately after matches that allow pedestrians to leave the stadium safely. Nearby roads affected by the closures are:
- Ashton New Road
- Grey Mare Lane
- Merrill Street
Public Transportation
The Velopark Metrolink, Grey Mare Lane, and Etihad Stadium bus stops are within 7 to 9 minutes walking distance to the stadium. Bus routes that can take you here are the 216, 230, 231, and 52. The stadium also offers shuttle buses on Ashton New Road, taking attendees to the Manchester city centre.
You can also take the Blue Line Metrolink light rail to the Etihad Campus stop from the city centre and Manchester Piccadilly station. The stop is around a 7-minute walk to the stadium. On event days, there are also trams running to and from the stadium every 12 minutes.
Cycling and Walking
Bike racks are available around the stadium for cyclists. The stadium is also around a 25-minute walk from the Manchester City Centre. During football game days, you can go to a designated meeting place to take the official walking route the Club enhanced.
Hotels Near Etihad Stadium
You can find most of the nearby accommodations to Etihad Stadium in the Manchester City Centre. Here are three top choices to help you decide where to stay.
Dakota Manchester – Closet
The Dakota Manchester hotel is a 4-star accommodation that’s 1.2 miles to Etihad Stadium. The rooms in this boutique hotel are spacious and pleasant, offer free WiFi, an in-room safe, and blackout curtains. You will also find a terrace, restaurant, and bar on the hotel site.
DogHouse Manchester – Highly Rated
A popular 3-star hotel located 1.6 miles from the stadium, the BrewDog DogHouse Manchester is a more affordable rate with great amenities. The hotel is pet-friendly, has free WiFi, and premium memory foam mattresses. Breakfast is also available during your stay and there are 2 restaurants and 2 bars on site.
Premier Inn Manchester City – Budget Option
The Premier Inn Manchester City (Piccadilly) hotel is a 3-star hotel that’s budget-friendly and only 1.3 miles away from the stadium. You could walk there within 30 minutes, or it’s a quick 6-minute drive. It’s also just a 5-minute walk to Manchester Piccadilly station. The hotel features family rooms, free WiFi, and Hypnos beds in the rooms.