Full Name: City of Manchester Stadium
Nicknames: COMS, Eastlands and Sportcity
Built: 2002
Opened: 25 July 2002
Capacity: 48,000
Home of: Manchester City FC
Pitch Size: 116.5 x 78 yards

Postal Address:
City of Manchester Stadium
Sportcity
Rowsley Street
Manchester
M11 3FF
Tel: 0161 231 3200
Fax: 0161 438 7999

History Of The City of Manchester Stadium

The stadium was originally built to host the 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester. It was decided that after the Commonwealth Games had finished, Manchester City Football Club would inherit the stadium as their new home ground to replace Maine Road stadium in Moss Side.

The City of Manchester Stadium is also known as COMS, Eastlands and Sportcity. Manchester City Council agreed a 250 year lease of the stadium to Manchester City Football Club in exchange for their old stadium. When built for the Commonwealth Games the stadium had an original capacity of 38,000.

After the Commonwealth Games were over, the Stadium was further developed, a new North Stand was built and the running track was removed and re-laid elsewhere. The pitch was lowered to make way for the current lower tier, and the old lower tier was extended around the end where the temporary stand had been. This extensive work took a year to complete and added ten thousand extra seats. Other new facilities were also added, including restaurants and function rooms

The stadium has over 2000 car parking spaces and a further 8,000 accredited car parking spaces in easy reach of the Stadium. The Stadium can also be easily reached by rail and bus and is within walking distance from Manchester Piccadilly Station and the city centre.

The 48,000 capacity all seater stadium cost £90 million to construct. It was first occupied by the Manchester City team at the beginning of the 2003 season. The Stadium has the widest pitch in English football. Entry is gained by electronic smart card not the traditional manned type turnstyle.

The City of Manchester stadium has been given a 4 star rating by Uefa which means that it is eligible to host the UEFA Cup final.

The stadium became the 50th stadium to host an England international match when England played Japan in June 2004

The stadium is also home to the B of the Bang, the tallest sculpture in the UK, built to commemorate the success of the 2002 Commonwealth Games. The sculpture is a series of metal spikes that mimics an explosion

In October 2004, the Stadium was host to a Rugby League match between Great Britain and Australia during the Tri-Nations series. In the summer of 2004 it also held its first concert. This was a Red Hot Chilli Peppers concert.

Reebok City
Situated adjacent to the Stadium, Reebok City is home to the City Superstore, City Social and the City Experience

City Superstore
The City Superstore stocks a wide range of Manchester City souvenirs, leisurewear and training gear from kit sponsor, Reebok. The Store is open seven days a week, Monday to Saturday 9.00am to 5.30pm and Sunday 11am to 3.00pm.

City Social
City Social is a Sports Bar offering drinks, sandwiches and hot food. It has large on site television screens to allow you to watch the latest matches via Satellite TV. City Social is also available for private hire, meetings, parties and events.

For further information telephone 0161 438 7650 or email: hospitality@mcfc.co.uk

TICKETS - For Manchester City Games
Prices:
£21.00 - £36.00
Ticket Bookingline:
Tel: 0870 062 1894
Email: tickets@mcfc.co.uk

Direction to The City of Manchester Stadium

Train:
Station: Manchester Piccadilly - One mile walk.

By car from the south

Follow signs for city centre on the M56, which becomes the A5103 (Princess Road)
Continue to the city centre, turning right onto the elevated A57(M).
Follow this to the end, through two sets of lights and turn right onto Every Street.
At the end of Every Street turn right onto A662 (Aston New Road)
The Stadium will be found on the left.

By car from the east

Follow the M67 and join the M60 at junction 24
Follow the M60 north to junction 23
Exit left on to A662 (Ashton New Road)
The Stadium will be reached on the right after the junction with the A6010 (Alan Turing Way).

By car from the west

Join the M60 at junction 12 (M62) or junction 15 (M61)
Follow M60 round the north of Manchester to junction 23
Exit right on to A662 (Ashton New Road)
The Stadium will be reached on the right after the junction with the A6010 (Alan Turing Way).

By car from the north

Follow the M60 round to junction 23
Exit right on to A662 (Ashton New Road)
The Stadium will be reached on the right after the junction with the A6010 (Alan Turing Way)