"The most handsomest, the most spacious and the most remarkable arena I have ever seen. As a football ground it is unrivalled in the world, it is an honour to Manchester and the home of a team who can do wonders when they are so disposed" Opening day on Saturday February 19, 1910
The Old Trafford Stadium, home to the Manchester United Red Devils, is
the most presgtigous stadium in the entire world. The stadium was built in
1910, and is still the current home for Manchester United. Over the years
the stadium has done made some significant changes, as the support for Manchester
United grew and still continues to grow.
Through the 1960's until the end of the 1980's the stadium would hold capacity crowds of 44,000 seats. Then in 1995 the club brought the total capacity up to 55,000 seats along with the addition of a museum, private boxes, Trophy room and the Red Cafe Restaurant. Five years later in August 2000, the stadium added another 13,000 seats to bring its current capacity up to 68,217 seats. Making it the largest stadium in all of the United Kingdom and one of the largest in all of Europe.
Manchester United plans to rebuild the main South side of the stadium which would bring the stadium capacity up to an amazing 90,000 seats. But do not expect this stadium expansion for some time now as there will be a number of problems that the builders would have to over come the near by canal and railway track which restricts space around the stadium.
Old Trafford is continually an important stadium since its large capacity
to hold major competitions, as it will be hosting the UEFA Champions League
Final this May, 2003. Unfortunately Manchester United lost to Real Madrid
in the quarter finals losing 6-5 in the aggregate. Old Trafford has been
hosting the both games for the semi-finals of the FA Cup tournament the past
three years, and is expected to be apart of the tournament for a number of years
to come. Old Trafford was the main stadium for the commmonwealth games in the
summer of 2002. The opening and closing ceremonies took place here as well as
the track and field events. A long with hosting major cricket matches for the
English national team and the English Football team's qualifing matches.
As Manchester United becomes more of a world wide known team, Old Trafford will become more recognized as the place to play important football games. The availability to obtain Manchester United tickets at Old Trafford are extroadinary difficult to get even with a stadium capacity of over 60,000. So if one wishes to go to a game at Old Trafford, one should order the tickets at least 5 montha in advance.
| STADIUM INFORMATION | |
|---|---|
| Name | Old Trafford |
| Nick Name | Theatre of Dreams |
| Inauguration | Saturday February 19, 1910 |
| Capacity | 68,217 seats |
| Record Attendance | 76,962, Wolves-Grimsby; March 25 1939 |
| Address | Sir Matt Busby Way, Old Trafford, Manchester, M16 0RA |
