Club Profile

Manchester City

The club once called “noisy neighbors” by Man United’s manager is now arguably the best team in the world. With their new worldwide following plus a nice, modern stadium in a cool city, they should be a major attraction for groundhoppers.

LOCATION: Two and a half hours from London’s Euston station

CONTACT: mancity.com, 0161 444 1894, #ManCity

NICKNAMES: Citizens, Sky Blues, and just City, which owing to the local accent is often written as “Citeh”

History

Manchester City have always been the city’s second team to most people, although one gets a sense that it’s more like Manchester United are the world’s team and Manchester City are the city’s. You’ll probably hear that from City fans, granted, but if somebody has been a City fan for more than 10 years or so, it’s because they genuinely love them,…

Rivalries

United, obviously, is their biggest rival. The Manchester derby goes back to 1881, and of the 187 matches, United have won 77 and City 57–but nine of the last 14. The most famous perhaps was the “Denis Law game” in 1974, when the former United legend scored a backheel goal at Old Trafford to relegate them. He famously declined to celebrate, but…

Women's Team

Manchester City WFC are in the top league, the Women’s Super League, and they are one of the best teams in it. They’ve finished in the top 4 seven years running (fourth last year) and won the FA Cup in 2017 and 2019. In 2022 they lost the FA Cup Final but won the League Cup. Home games are at the men’s campus in the Academy…

Songs

Their most famous song, by far, is “Blue Moon.” They will probably even carry a giant blue moon onto the center circle before the game, and you’ll hear the song throughout the game. This apparently started after a 1989 loss at Liverpool. You will also hear “I’m City Till I Die,” and “You Are My City” to the tune of “You Are My Sunshine.” And they…

Stadium

Officially it’s the City of Manchester Stadium, and the area around it Sportcity, but everybody just calls it The Etihad because that airline cut a big ol’ check. It opened in 2002 for the Commonwealth Games then became City’s home in 2003, when they left Maine Road after 80 years. When it opened it held 42,000 people, but it’s now up to 53,400…

Going to a Game at The Etihad

GETTING THERE: It couldn’t be easier getting to The Etihad; there is a tram stop right there. The tram is Metrolink, and the stop is Etihad Campus. At Piccadilly station’s Metrolink stop, look for line E going to Ashton-under-Lyne—or, as always, follow the colors. They have lots of staff around the platforms on game days to answer questions and…

Manchester City Tickets

Like all the big Premier League clubs, tickets can be tough, but City—with their fairly recent big-time status and large stadium—seem to be a little less difficult than the other big six. Tickets range from £30 to £50. A membership (£20 to £35) will certainly help. They also have great and relatively affordable hospitality options that Groundhopper Guides can help with.

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