UP NEXT
AFC Bournemouth
Matchdays at the Etihad Stadium
MATCHDAY GUIDE
Our first match at the Etihad Stadium for 2026/27 is against AFC Bournemouth in the Premier League on Sunday 23 August. Kick-off 2:00pm!
You can plan your visit and find more information on this page!
You can view our new stadium map, including the expanded North Stand here.
MATCHDAY TIMELINE
Find out what’s happening and plan your day before you arrive at the Etihad Stadium.
-
Bag Storage
From 10:00am
Only small handheld bags, no larger than A4 size will be allowed in the Stadium. If you must bring a bag to the stadium that exceeds the allowable size, bag drop will be available in Orange and Grey car park.
-
East Stand
From 11:00am
Visit the Summerbee Bar, food & refreshments outlets, and our retail pop-up shop by the East Stand Atrium. Find out what food and drink outlets are available below!
-
Blue Carpet Experience
From 12:00pm
Turnstiles open! You can also enjoy guest interviews, a live DJ set, prize giveaways, plus the first team bus arrival 90 minutes before kick-off. -
Kick-off
From 2:00pm
Make sure you're in your seats for our prize giveaways, guest interviews and slingshot surprises from our mascots before kick-off!
MATCHDAY FANZONES
Keep an eye out for our Kids Fanzone and Co-op Live Fanzone before selected home matches.
You can find out when our Fanzones will be open by clicking on each page below!
-
Kids Fanzone
Enjoy football activities, play interactive games, and win exclusive prizes before the match. Click below to find out when our next Kids Fanzone is taking place.
-
Co-op Live Fanzone
Huge bar areas, DJ performances, interviews with special guests, and a screening of the early Premier League kick-off. Find more information below.
matchday travel
There are plenty of ways to get to the Etihad Stadium on matchday.
You can book parking, book your matchday bus, or plan your journey to the Etihad Stadium below.
Any important travel updates will be posted here.
ACCESSIBILITY
Our team work incredibly hard to make sure matchdays are accessible and inclusive for fans.
You can contact our dedicated access team on 📞 +44 161 444 1894 or ✉️ [email protected].
USING YOUR MOBILE TICKET
All tickets at the Etihad Stadium use NFC (Near Field Communication) technology.
To enter the stadium with your mobile ticket, hold the back of your phone on the ‘TAP’ reader.
Make sure you have downloaded your mobile ticket to your wallet before arriving at the Stadium.
RESPECT THE BADGE
The Club operates a zero-tolerance policy towards discrimination or abuse including racism, homophobia, Islamophobia, antisemitism, sexism, tragedy-related comments, chanting or gestures.
Entering the pitch, carrying or using smoke bombs or pyrotechnics, and throwing objects is also strictly prohibited.
If you witness such behaviour, speak to a steward or police officer, report it via the Kick It Out app, or text 0770 015 1894 to alert our security team.
Any fans who engage in inappropriate behaviour will be subject to a ban in line with the Club’s official sanctions process.
Fans are expected to make themselves aware of our Stadium policies, terms and conditions of sale, Ground Regulations and Code of Conduct, and Supporter Charter.
Unauthorised entry to football matches is now a criminal offence.
This includes tailgating, where individuals attempt to force their way through stadium turnstiles by closely following legitimate ticket holders. It will also be illegal to knowingly attempt to gain entry using forged tickets, passes or accreditation, or by posing as a member of stadium or playing staff.
Anyone found guilty could receive a criminal record, a fine, and a Football Banning Order of up to five years.
Smoking and the use of electronic cigarettes are strictly prohibited inside the Etihad Stadium in accordance with Premier League regulations.
This includes all areas including toilets, walkways, concourses and turrets.
Any fan who is found to breach our smoking policy will be ejected from the stadium and sanctioned in accordance with our Supporter Charter.
The stadium also operates a strict no re‑admission policy – meaning fans cannot leave the premises to smoke and return afterwards.
We also want to remind fans that the entire Etihad Campus, including car parks, are smoke‑free zones.
Entering the field of play is a criminal offence.
Any fan who invades or attempts to invade the field of play at any time will be ejected from the stadium and may be subject to arrest by Greater Manchester Police.
Fans may also be subject to a club ban in line with the Club's Supporter Charter.
This also applies to any fans who are identified to be throwing items onto the field of play or into either the home or away sections of the stadium.
Any flag that contains any discriminatory or political wording, references, or images will not be allowed into the Stadium. This includes references to ongoing political conflicts.
Flags sized 2m x 1m are allowed (if they meet the above criteria) and do not require a fire-retardant certificate. Any flag or banner larger than 2m x 1m requires fire retardant certification that must be provided before entry.
Flags are allowed to be laid on netting in the away section. There is a small area at the rear of Level 0 for visiting fans to hang small flags.
We do not allow TIFO’s, surfer flags or flag poles of any kind in away sections.
Flags and Banners are not allowed to be draped over the LED boards.
Stadium facilities and regulations
Backpacks, holdalls, rucksacks, or other similar items of any size, large or small, will not be allowed into the stadium. Small handheld bags, no larger than A4 size (12”x8”x3”) will be accepted.
Bags bigger than A4 are not allowed in the Etihad Stadium. If you do have a bag bigger than A4, consider storing it at an off-site location by clicking this link. Etihad visitors get 10% off using the code ETIHAD10
If you must bring a bag to the stadium that exceeds the allowable size, the bag storage facilities are available on the Orange car park that you can use to securely store your items will be in place until the match has finished. The bag storage is priced at £10 per item.
A Multi-Faith Prayer Room is available for quiet reflection. Just ask a steward for access on matchdays.
The Etihad Stadium operates cashless payments only and enforces a strict Challenge 25 policy.
Please refer to our ticketing terms and conditions for more information
Over the next three years, we will be developing a best-in-class fan experience and year-round entertainment and leisure destination at the Etihad Stadium.
Although we will be working hard to minimise disruption on matchday, there will be some changes to the way the Etihad Stadium and the wider Etihad Campus operates during the construction period. Click below for more information.
