EXPERT INTERVIEW: MANCHESTER CITY FC STADIUM TOURS
This week, we’ve been lucky enough to speak with Kelly from Manchester City’s Stadium Tours! They offer the ultimate experience for any MCFC fan; a personal and fully guided tour of the Etihad Stadium. Have a read to find out more about these incredible experiences…
Please could you tell us a bit about the history of your stadium tour experiences and how they began?
When we first moved to the Etihad Stadium (or City of Manchester Stadium as it was named previously) in 2003, we began conducting tours of the stadium for Manchester City fans who wanted to get a behind-the-scenes look at our fantastic new home.
However, as proud as we are of the stadium, we’re also incredibly proud of our history, our future plans, the work we do in the community, and our youth development. It was for this reason that we launched the Stadium & Club Tour in 2012 to provide visitors with an all-encompassing experience showcasing all aspects of the Club.
What encouraged your passion for these tours?
Football fans want to feel a part of their Club and to feel valued. This Club is incredibly passionate about giving fans an experience that they’ll never forget. Despite our recent success on the pitch, it is important to continue the family-friendly rapport that we have always had with our supporters.
What would you say is the best thing about the experience you offer?
It’s incredibly rewarding for us that visitors of all ages, fans of every Club, and even non-football fans can have a fantastic experience with us!
What makes your tours different to other stadium tours?
For many guests, it may be their first visit to the Etihad Stadium. So it’s vital to ensure they’re left with a positive first impression of Manchester City Football Club. Similarly, for City fans it’s equally important to make them feel a part of their Club. It’s encouraging to see all our guests leaving the stadium visibly pleased at the conclusion of their experience.
We cover all aspects of the Club on the Stadium & Club Tour. The team are successful on the pitch, but with outstanding community work and world-leading academy facilities, it’s important to focus on all aspects of the Club. We share not just our past and present with visitors, but also our future.
Our Tour Guides are also extremely personable. They provide a warm welcome, interesting facts, humour and anecdotes to ensure that all visitors leave the stadium with an experience they will never forget.
Are the stadium tours suitable for everyone?
We’re proud to say that our tour is suitable for all ages. All areas of the stadium are fully accessible for every visitor, with lift access to all points on the tour. We also have a Club wheelchair, which users may borrow for the duration of the tour. Assistance dogs are welcome and we have an induction loop available on request.
Even if you aren’t a Manchester City supporter or a fan of football in general, you may be pleasantly surprised by how much you enjoy your visit to the Etihad Stadium! With insights into the Club’s community work, youth development, seeing some significant pieces of silverware in-person in addition to an insight into hospitality, media and player areas – our Stadium & Club Tour is an all-encompassing experience for all.
Have you got any new exciting news to share with us?
The recent growth of the Club has been extraordinary, and the City Football Academy is a facility that fans have been eager to see since it opened in 2014. There may be an opportunity to take visitors around the facility in the future, so watch this space!
Lastly, is there anything else you’d like to add?
We offer a variety of packages in addition to our Stadium & Club Tour. We also offer visitors the opportunity to experience our Legends Stadium & Club Tour, involving a tour with an ex-City player, a Q&A session with the legend and a three-course meal in one of our Platinum boxes.
It’s also great to see families choosing our Stadium & Club Tour as an ideal birthday gift. We have now taken that a step further, with our new City Kids Birthday Parties. You can enhance your experience with optional extras including the presence of Club mascots Moonchester and Moonbeam, City party bags, personalised home, away or third shirt or a first team coach ride to and from the Etihad Stadium.
Thanks so much for taking the time to speak with us!
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