Sunday, 13 September 2026 · 16:30
Where to park for Manchester United vs Manchester City at Old Trafford
Sunday 13 September at Old Trafford: Manchester United vs Manchester City. One of the biggest derbies of the season, 74,000 fans, and a lot of traffic. We've mapped verified parking nearby—official car parks, street bays, and an escape route for after the final whistle. Download the app for live availability reports (refreshed every 60 minutes) and park smart.
Download the free app to see live availability around Old Trafford on the night.
Official data. Driver verified.
Sunday, 13 September 2026
Event date
16:30
Starts
21
Verified locations nearby
1,249+
Locations mapped across Manchester
Parking near Old Trafford for Manchester United vs Manchester City
Three picks, three different plans — the shortest walk, the best pre-show evening, and the fastest way home. All verified Parkwise data. For live availability on the night, download the free Parkwise app.
21 locations mappedOld Trafford Official Car Park E2
Official venue parkingCar Park · Salford Quays
- Type
- Car Park
- Price
- Paid · £12–£20 · pre-book only
- Max stay
- Matchdays
- Hours
- Matchday via Wharfside Way; free on non-matchdays
- Operator
- Manchester United FC
- Distance
- 143 m from the venue
- Address
- East Stand, Old Trafford, Manchester M16 0RA
Good to know
- • Official Manchester United car park by the East Stand with accessible bays — book matchday spaces at manutd.com/tickets. Free visitor parking on non-matchdays (museum and tours). Matchday access via Wharfside Way only.
Numbered pins are our three picks for this event — tap one for details. Every other dot is a verified street bay or car park. Live availability shows in the app only — download the app to see where drivers found spaces in the last hour.
Why these three?
1 · Official venue parking
Old Trafford Official Car Park E2: the safest bet
This is the venue's own car park, 2 minutes on foot from the East Stand. Pre-book only, and you'll pay £12–£20 depending on when you secure your space. On a derby day with 74,000 fans, knowing you've got a guaranteed space takes the stress out. Book as soon as fixtures are confirmed if you can.
Old Trafford Official Car Park E2 · ~2 min walk
2 · Make a night of it
Old Trafford Official Car Park E1: pre-match convenience
Another official Old Trafford car park, also 2 minutes from the ground and equally reliable. Same pre-booking requirement and pricing (£12–£20). If E2 is full, E1 gives you a second official option, both close enough that you won't waste time walking and can get a pint inside or catch the pre-match atmosphere early.
Old Trafford Official Car Park E1 · ~2 min walk
3 · Quick getaway
MediaCity / Broadway multi-storey: beat the post-match rush
Salford Quays is just 17 minutes on foot, and this multi-storey fills up less aggressively than the official car parks on match day. If you're less concerned about being first through the gates and more focused on a smooth exit once the final whistle goes, this is your option. Public parking with typical pay-on-exit rates, so no pre-booking needed—check the Parkwise app for live availability before you drive.
MediaCity / Broadway multi-storey car park · ~17 min walk
Getting parked for Manchester United vs Manchester City: the plan
Arrive early. A Premier League Manchester derby will pull fans from across the region, and parking around Old Trafford fills quickly—especially the official car parks closest to the ground. Aim to be parked at least 90 minutes before kick-off at 15:30. The roads into Salford Quays will be busier from around 13:30 onwards; if you can arrive before 13:00, you'll have a calmer experience. Traffic can be heavy on Stretford Road and Chester Road in the hour after the match, so factor that in when deciding where to park.
You've got three solid options. The venue's own car parks (E1 and E2) are 2 minutes on foot from Old Trafford and pre-book only—book ahead if you want guaranteed space. They're official, reliable, and cost £12–£20 depending on when you book. If you want flexibility on the day, street parking is available within walking distance, and you can check live verified reports in the Parkwise app (updated every 60 minutes, app-only). For a faster exit after the match, MediaCity's multi-storey car park is a 17-minute walk but much quieter once the final whistle goes.
After the match, expect congestion around Old Trafford for 30–45 minutes as thousands of cars leave. If you parked in one of the official car parks, you'll join the queue with everyone else—it's part of the night. If you chose the MediaCity option, you'll likely find less traffic and can take your time; the walk back isn't bad, and you'll beat the main crush. Use the Parkwise app before you arrive to see real-time availability for street bays and nearby car parks, and plan your exit route as soon as you park.
Make an evening of it
Book the official car parks (E1 or E2) as soon as you can. Pre-booking removes the gamble on derby day, especially with a 74,000-capacity ground and high fixture stakes.
Arrive by 13:00 if you can. The roads into Old Trafford get noticeably busier from 13:30 onwards, and you'll have a more relaxed drive and an earlier pick of parking.
Grab food or a pint before or after at nearby spots in Salford Quays—whether that's a quick bite before heading to your seat or a post-match drink while the car park clears. You've earned it.
Download the Parkwise app and check live availability (updated every 60 minutes) as you're driving towards the ground. Street bays near Old Trafford are verified and reported in real-time—if one fills up, you'll know straight away and can adjust your plan.
If you're parked in the official car parks, expect 30–45 minutes of queuing after the match. It's a derby day, everyone's leaving at once. Be patient, sing all the way back to the car, and enjoy the night.
Plan your exit route before you park. If you've chosen MediaCity, you know it's a 17-minute walk but a quieter drive home. If you're in E1 or E2, mentally prepare for the exit queue and use that time to wind down.
Live availability
Spaces come and go in minutes — see what's free right now in the app
The map around Old Trafford updates as drivers report spaces. Green means someone recently confirmed availability; amber and red mean limited or full. Every report expires after 60 minutes — so you are never looking at stale data.
- Filter by duration, price, and parking type before you set off
- Set your destination to Old Trafford and see parking around it
- Earn free access by reporting spaces when you park
Manchester United vs Manchester City at Old Trafford: parking questions
How much does parking cost for Manchester United vs Manchester City at Old Trafford
Official car parks (E1 and E2) cost £12–£20 depending on when you pre-book. Street parking rates vary; the Parkwise app shows verified prices for each bay before you arrive. MediaCity multi-storey is public paid parking with typical Salford Quays rates (usually £2–£5 for a few hours). Book official spaces early to secure the best rate.
How early should I arrive to guarantee parking
Aim to be parked by 14:00 at the latest, ideally by 13:00. With 74,000 fans and a derby fixture, the roads and car parks fill from early afternoon onwards. If you've pre-booked an official space, you have peace of mind, but arriving early gives you first pick of street parking and a calmer driving experience overall.
Can I park on the street near Old Trafford
Yes. There are verified street bays within walking distance of Old Trafford, and Parkwise reports real-time availability on them (app-only, updated every 60 minutes). Parking restrictions vary by area, so check the app for permit requirements, time limits, and pricing before you park. Never assume a bay is available without checking Parkwise first.
How do I check live parking availability near Old Trafford
Download the Parkwise app and search for Old Trafford. You'll see live reports of available street bays and car parks from verified parkers in the area. Reports refresh every 60 minutes and expire after that time, so they're current and reliable. The app is your real-time view as you're driving towards the ground.
What happens after the match - how do I avoid the exit queue
Expect 30–45 minutes of congestion around Old Trafford as 74,000 fans leave. If you're in an official car park, you'll join the queue—it's normal on derby day. If you parked at MediaCity multi-storey (17 minutes on foot), you'll face much lighter traffic and can take your time. Either way, plan for a slower exit and use that time to soak in the match atmosphere.
Do I need to pre-book parking at Old Trafford
The official car parks (E1 and E2) require pre-booking and cost £12–£20. Street parking and MediaCity multi-storey don't require pre-booking—check the Parkwise app for live availability on the day. For a derby with 74,000 fans, pre-booking an official space removes uncertainty and is worth doing early.
Can I pay for parking on my phone using RingGo or PayByPhone
PayByPhone and similar apps work at most public car parks and street bays across Manchester. The Parkwise app shows payment methods for each parking spot when you view its details. Always check the specific bay or car park listing before you park to confirm which payment method is accepted.
Not here for this show? See all Old Trafford parking — car parks, street bays, and every upcoming event.
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