Old Trafford

Old Trafford stands beside the Bridgewater Canal in the Old Trafford district of Greater Manchester. It is the largest club football stadium in the United Kingdom, holding 74,158 spectators. The ground lies about half a mile from Old Trafford Cricket Ground and its tram stop. Manchester United have played here since 1910, except for eight years after a 1941 air raid forced the club to share Maine Road with Manchester City. Designed by Archibald Leitch, the stadium opened in February 1910 with a 4–3 defeat by Liverpool, Sandy Turnbull scoring the first goal. The stadium has hosted FA Cup finals and semi-finals, England internationals and major tournaments including the 1966 World Cup and UEFA Euro 1996. It staged the 2003 Champions League Final and has been a regular venue for rugby league’s Grand Final since 1987. The record crowd of 76,962 watched an FA Cup semi-final in 1939. Bobby Charlton gave the ground its nickname, “The Theatre of Dreams,” reflecting its place in football history. Visitors find a vast bowl of four covered stands rising steeply above the pitch. The Sir Alex Ferguson Stand runs along the north side, while the South Stand holds the tunnel and dug-outs. The stadium’s museum and trophy displays occupy the East Stand, with a shop and café on the ground floor. Outside, the canal towpath offers a quiet walk past the ground, linking to the adjacent cricket ground. On match days the area buzzes with red-shirted supporters heading for the turnstiles.