Accessible Old Trafford museum and stadium tour

If you’re a recent reader of the blog, then you’ll know that over the last few years I’ve become a massive women’s football fan.

Following in my grandad’s footsteps of being a long-time Manchester United supporter, I found myself gravitating towards supporting the women’s team. So they say, the rest is history.

I was lucky enough to attend the final game of the 2023/24 season, with hopefully a couple more in the pipeline this season. Some of which will no doubt be documented on the blog.

Being an avid fan, I was interested in doing an Old Trafford stadium tour. The stadium is branded as the Theatre of Dreams after all.

I didn’t know what to expect. When it comes to accessibility, I had no idea how accessible the tour would be.

I thought I’d document the experience here on the blog, because it was a memorable one for sure.

 

Booking tickets

As quite often comes with being a disabled person, it’s always a good idea to look at accessibility in advance. I did my own online research into the accessibility of the museum and stadium tour. Finding a dedicated section about accessibility was really encouraging. Although, I was unable to find specific information on the accessibility options for blind and visually impaired fans, other than that there were sensory tours available. I got in touch with the stadium to ask for further clarification for which I received a detailed, timely response.

The website stated that accessible tickets needed to be booked over the phone, so one morning I set out to book my tickets. It was a simple process – I was asked whether I was registered as a disabled supporter with the club, and if I had any accessibility requirements. That was when I asked about the sensory tour. I was asked whether a tour with more detailed verbal descriptions would be suitable for which I agreed.

My accessibility needs were duly made note of internally, and I was told that I didn’t need to do anything else, other than turn up on the day.

The accessible ticket also came with a free companion ticket so that I could take a sighted person with me.

 

The museum and stadium tour

The day arrived for our stadium tour, and we made our way to Manchester.

I booked a late afternoon tour so that we had time to visit the megastore beforehand, obviously so I could spend all my money…

Prior to the tour, I was sent a confirmation email with instructions of where we needed to go on the day. After going through security checks, we notified a member of staff of our arrival, as well as the fact that I’d booked an accessible tour.

There was initially some confusion about my accessibility requirements, the staff being confused whether I needed an audio described tour which they didn’t offer, or the tour guide making it more detailed verbally. I was also offered an alternative flat route around the stadium should I have needed it. Although that wasn’t something I required myself, it was good to know that it’s on offer.

Once checked in and confirmed, we were handed our lanyards. We then made our way up to the museum, where we spent some time before the stadium tour.

The museum wasn’t the most accessible for me as a blind person. Trophies and memorabilia bedecked each floor of the museum, carefully secured away for viewing only. My dad described what he could of the archive to me. Given that I’m a Manchester United Women’s fan, the sprinkling of the women’s team pricked my ears.

It was interesting to learn about the history of the club, from its inception to today, and the history of the stadium itself.

There were rooms dedicated to trophies, showcases of the managers, special exhibits, kits on show from over the years, and a spotlight for some Manchester United legends. There was also a commemoration to the tragic Munich disaster.

The youth and academy teams also had their rightful place.

Once we’d explored the museum, we made our way to the meeting area ready for our tour.

 

We were shortly met by our tour guides who introduced themselves, giving us a friendly welcome. They explained what would happen throughout the tour over the next hour. We then made our way through winding corridors out into the stadium.

Sitting in an empty stadium was an experience in itself.

For the next few minutes we were educated on the history of the club, the significance of each part of the stadium and the various stands that seat thousands of fans.

We then made our way to another part of the stadium which we were told was the perfect photo opportunity. At that point, one of the tour guides touched on the accessibility of the stadium, including the platforms for wheelchair users and the dedicated section for blind and visually impaired fans requiring audio commentary. It was great that they touched on the accessibility, something that I found a welcoming element as a disabled fan.

 

Photos taken, we made our way onto the main concourse where we were told about some of the hidden gems that can be found here. Each were described to me in great detail, helping me to paint my own picture in my head.

We were given an interesting fact about the history on how the walls of the players’ old tunnel are still present today, the last remaining part of the original stadium.

 

Making our way through the depths of the stadium we were reminded that we were walking the very footsteps of some Manchester United legends.

And we then got onto the exciting part.

 

I found myself being guided through a maze of corridors and several flights of steps, where we made our way into the players’ changing room. I couldn’t quite believe that I was in the exact spot where some of my favourite Manchester United Women players spend a chunk of their time on matchdays at Old Trafford.

Lockers and shirts from both the men and women’s teams lined the walls of the changing room, helping us feel like we were having the pre match experience ourselves.

One of the tour guides headed over to chat to me and my dad, asking who my favourite player was. I explained that I was a fan of the women’s team, and my favourite player was Ella Toone.

The next thing I knew, he was handing me Ella’s shirt. I was allowed to feel it, and my dad snapped a quick photo of me holding the shirt. It was a replica, but still!

Without giving anything away too soon, he explained that we’d be heading to the players’ tunnel next. He very kindly offered to guide me down the tunnel so that my dad could be at the other end, capturing the moment on video.

The other tour guide told us some more information on the matchday routine of the players and staff and what the atmosphere is like before a match.

 

It was then time for us to walk down the players’ tunnel!

When at the foot of the tunnel, one of the tour guides asked whether there was any special anniversaries or birthdays coming up. The entire group stayed silent. Until the second tour guide broke the silence, saying “Holly is a Women’s Super League fan”.

The first tour guide said “right, Holly, come to the front and be the designated captain in that case”.

Although I wasn’t stepping into Maya Le Tissier’s shoes just yet, it was an unexpected surprise.

To set the scene even more, everyone else was then instructed to form a men’s team and a women’s team so that we could live our very own moment of walking through the players tunnel.

A few instructions later, and we heard the iconic Stone Roses anthem This Is the One coming from the nearby speaker, which is a soundtrack for United.

We then made our way down the tunnel and pitch side. What a moment!

The tour guide was a brilliant sighted guide. He genuinely wanted to make sure that I was able to have an accessible, immersive experience.

 

When in front of the pitch, we weren’t allowed to go on to the pitch (that can result in a stadium ban). We were however, told about the upkeep of the pitch and some interesting facts about some of the prime seating in the stadium.

That wasn’t all though, as we were also given the chance to sit in the managers dugouts.

My dad of course took his spot in the managers seat, whilst I was in the assistant managers seat.

 

It was almost time for the tour to be over, with one final spot to explore. That was the media room. We made ourselves comfy in the seats where many journalists and media representatives regularly take their spot. It was pretty cool!

 

That marked the end of the tour. And what an incredible experience it was.

Saying a huge thank you to the two tour guides, we found ourselves in the Megastore once again.

Given that I’d held Ella Toone’s shirt, I of course had to purchase one of my own. It’d be rude not to for the new season, wouldn’t it?

Shirt bought and certificate collected, my Old Trafford Museum and stadium tour was done.

 

I’m so glad I did the tour. I’d highly recommend it to any football fans. It’s such a fun experience.

I couldn’t fault the accessibility. From the attention to detail from the tour guides and their support, they helped to make it an unforgettable experience.

One of the tour guides offering to guide me down the tunnel was really touching. I left feeling very grateful to them for how much they wanted to make it a memorable experience.

I’ll definitely be back again!

 

Have you ever done a stadium tour? If you have, let me know about your experience in the comments.

Holly x