Manchester: Etihad Stadium Tour & Behind-the-Scenes Access

Summary

Walk the glass tunnel, sit in Pep’s seat, feel the City story

You’ll step into Etihad Stadium’s hidden corners: walk through the glass players’ tunnel, sit in Pep Guardiola’s dugout seat, and explore immersive exhibits with your local guide. Feel what it’s like behind-the-scenes on matchday — from dressing rooms to pitchside — and leave with an echo of stadium energy still buzzing inside you.

What’s the experience like?

I’ll admit it — I got lost looking for the right entrance at Etihad Stadium (the blue signs are everywhere), but a steward spotted my confused face and pointed me towards the start of the Manchester City Stadium Tour. There was this low hum of excitement in the air — not matchday chaos, but something quieter. Our guide, Jamie, had that dry Mancunian humor and kept slipping in little stories about old matches and players. We started off in the press conference room where a virtual Pep Guardiola “answered” our questions. I tried to ask about his favorite pie shop — not sure if the AI understood my accent.

The real goosebumps hit when we walked down that glass tunnel. It’s weird how you can almost hear phantom crowds even when it’s empty. The seats in the dugout are surprisingly comfy (I half expected something more plastic). Jamie let us linger pitchside for a bit; you could smell fresh-cut grass and see where boots had scuffed up the touchline from last week’s match. There was this moment where I just sat quietly, imagining what it must feel like on a real game day with 50,000 voices echoing off those stands.

Inside the home dressing room, there’s this light show that plays out like a mini-movie — shirts hanging perfectly, boots lined up like soldiers. Someone in our group tried to pronounce one of the player’s names and Jamie just grinned (“Not bad for a southerner”). We wandered through The Tunnel Club (felt way fancier than anywhere I’ve ever watched football), then checked out some new holographic displays — honestly, I didn’t expect to enjoy that part but it was actually pretty cool seeing old matches come alive around you. The tour wraps at the City Store where everyone made a beeline for souvenirs. I still think about that view from Pep’s seat — so close to everything but somehow outside it all.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore Manchester City Stadium highlights

• Walk down glass players tunnel
• Go pitch-side to dugouts
• Visit home team dressing room
• See immersive audio-visual show
• Explore Away Team dressing room
• Understand first team warm-up area
• Walk through The Tunnel Club suite
• Watch City story in 360 cinema
• Explore exhibition with holograms
• Field questions with virtual Pep Guardiola
• Shop for souvenirs in City Store

Top questions

Is the Manchester City Stadium Tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes, all areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible throughout the tour.

How long does the Etihad Stadium tour take?

The standard tour lasts about 90 minutes to two hours depending on group pace.

Can children join the Manchester City Stadium Tour?

Yes, infants and small children can join; prams or strollers are allowed and specialized infant seats are available.

Does this tour include access to team dressing rooms?

Yes, you visit both home and away team dressing rooms during your tour.

Is public transportation available near Etihad Stadium?

Yes, there are public transportation options nearby for easy access to the stadium.

Do I need to reconfirm my departure time?

Yes, please call ahead to reconfirm your specific departure time before your visit.

Are service animals allowed on this stadium tour?

Yes, service animals are permitted throughout all areas of Etihad Stadium.

What’s included

Your experience includes guided entry to Etihad Stadium with an audio/visual guide, access to exclusive areas like dressing rooms and hospitality suites, immersive exhibits including holographic content and a 360-degree cinema suite, plus time in both press conference room and pitchside seats before ending at the City Store for souvenirs.