The Best Places To Sit At The Etihad Stadium

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Published by Chris Jenkins
26th Nov 2021
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The Etihad, or the “City Of Manchester Stadium”, has been home to Manchester City since 2003. Originally built for the 2002 Commonwealth Games, it was expanded into a football stadium and now houses one of the greatest teams in the world.

Since it was originally built it has undergone all sorts of changes and is now a very impressive stadium. With a capacity of 53,400 for domestic football and 60,000 for music concerts, it is full of various places to sit.

There are advantages and disadvantages no matter where you sit in a football stadium, but it’s important to know what area will suit you best.

In this article, we’re going to take a look at some of the best places to sit at the Etihad Stadium. If you’re planning on attending any games at the Etihad this season, then be sure to read through this article.

 

Stadium Areas

There are several different sections in the Etihad that are set at varying prices. Let’s take a look at what they are and discuss the benefits of each:

 

VIP And Executive Boxes

The VIP sections of the Etihad are present at different locations all around the stadium, on the long side and on the short side stands. As you can imagine, these areas are very luxurious but will cost you a lot more than a standard seat.

VIP hospitality lounges are generally pretty spacious and offer a range of food, drink, and other perks. You can arrive up to two and a half hours early if you want to enjoy everything on offer.

In terms of the view you get during the match, it is, without a doubt, an excellent vantage point. Make sure you dress somewhat consciously as tracksuits are not permitted in the Etihad VIP areas.

 

Longside Lower Tier

This area offers arguably the best views outside of the VIP sections. It is within the lower tier, so you can view the game from a decent angle without being too far from the action.

The longside sections of the seating include the Colin Bell stand and the East stand. As these stands are on the side of the pitch, you can survey everything happening on the pitch from an advantageous angle.

This is often preferable to short side stands, as you aren’t behind one single goal. However, there are pros and cons to be discussed atmosphere-wise.

 

Longside Upper Tier

A higher option within the longside stands, but still a great place to sit across the length of the pitch. Sitting here will provide you with an unobstructed view, and you’ll be able to watch the game perfectly despite the increased distance caused by height.

It is recommended to wear glasses or contacts if you need them, but other than that it is an excellent place to sit.

 

Shortside Lower Tier

One of the main advantages of sitting in the short side lower-tier seats (which are positioned in the South Stand and North Stand) is that you get to see the ripple of the net more closely.

Being located behind the goal can be a good or a bad thing depending on who is scoring, but the atmosphere is undoubtedly elevated if you’re able to get closer to the action.

Sitting in the Shortside Lower Tier is as close to the goal as you can get, so if this is something you’re interested in experiencing then you should consider looking at tickets for this spot.

 

Shortside Upper Tier

Whilst every view in the Etihad is great, the short side upper tier may be the least desirable and is in fact the cheapest area to sit.

Due to the height and angle, you might not get the complete experience you are looking for, but that doesn’t mean they’re bad seats. The Etihad is one of the most impressive stadiums in the country, so every area has benefits.

Don’t hesitate to purchase tickets for this particular stand if you’re worried about the view, as you will still be able to see everything without obstruction.

 

Getting To The Etihad

There are a number of transport routes to the Etihad. The stadium is located around 2.5km away from Manchester city centre, and Manchester Piccadilly railway station is a mere 20-minute walk away.

As this is a major train station, it isn’t too hard to get to, and the way to the stadium is well lit with a number of tram routes available too. There are also plenty of parking spaces nearby, with 2000 on-site and 8000 in the surrounding areas provided by local businesses and schools.

 

Manchester City’s 2021/2022 Season

It’s a good time to go to the Etihad. Over the last few years, there have been periods in which Manchester City has seemingly waltzed its way to the Premier League title with very few contenders getting in the way.

This year, they’re in a fierce battle against Chelsea and Liverpool. At the moment, only time will tell who is going to lift the trophy.

Pep Guardiola’s sky-blue squad is experienced in the long and arduous task of winning a league across a whole season. They understand the necessity to get results no matter the cost and play pragmatic football.

Despite this, they have always struggled to deliver in the Champions League, and this could be the year that it finally changes as they look to finally bring the trophy home.

With that in mind, it goes without saying that plenty of exciting games will take place at the Etihad this year.

With everything to play for, it’s likely that we will see fireworks on the pitch this season. If you’re interested in attending any upcoming games at the Etihad, we hope this guide to seating has helped you make an informed decision.