Hotels near Old Trafford: Where to stay when watching Manchester United

In addition to having thousands of fans in the local area, Manchester United have one of the biggest global fanbases.

They have the third-most social media followers among football clubs, which makes Old Trafford more than just a football stadium, but also a huge tourist attraction which draws in millions of visitors from across the world each year.

If you are planning a trip to the stadium soon and want to know about hotels near Old Trafford, the list below provides everything you need to know.

Hotels near Old Trafford: Five options to consider

There are several hotels near Old Trafford, but perhaps not as many in the direct vicinity as you might expect, given that it is also a tourist attraction as well as a football stadium. The list below details some of the best options.

Hotel Football – 400ft from the stadium

The closest hotel to Old Trafford is Hotel Football, which effectively overlooks the stadium. It is almost within touching distance of Old Trafford and is owned by members of United's Class of 92. As the name suggests, the hotel is themed on football with rooms featuring decor mainly related to Manchester United.

They have various room types available, from single rooms to family rooms. Matchday prices typically start at £303 for the night. On a non-matchday, this drops dramatically to around £75 for the night. Hotel Football also has a bar, which you can enjoy prior to kick-off.

Contrary to what some people assume, there are no pitch-view rooms at Hotel Football, so don't book a room thinking you'll be able to watch the match from the comfort of your bed.

However, given Gary Neville's involvement in the new Man Utd stadium project, it wouldn't be a shock to anyone if he were to move and expand Hotel Football so that it does include pitch-view rooms of the club's new 100,000-seater stadium.

Premier Inn Old Trafford – 0.2 miles from the stadium

The Premier Inn near Old Trafford Stadium is the second-closest hotel to the ground after Hotel Football and provides guests with the most basic amenities, which could be perfect for people who simply want a comfy bed to sleep in before and/or after the match. A standard room on matchday will still cost around £200 unless you book months in advance.

While this is steeper than your typical one-night stay in a Premier Inn, you could literally roll out of your bed ten minutes before kick-off and still get to your seat inside Old Trafford in time to see the match start.

The hotel is also located right next to Whardside Metrolink Station. This has direct links to Manchester city centre and the Trafford Centre so you won't be short of things to do if you have a couple of hours to kill before kick-off.

Hilton Garden Inn – 0.5 miles from the stadium

Hilton Garden Inn isn't too far from Old Trafford Stadium (around a 5-10 minute walk). It is part of Old Trafford Cricket Ground, which is on the same road as the football stadium, but it isn't cheap. The Hilton Garden Inn prides itself on offering guests a premium experience.

Prices start at around £219 per night, which is cheaper than Hotel Football, in fairness and it is nicer and less gimmicky than its rival.

The Hilton Garden Inn has a bar and a restaurant inside it, as well as a fitness centre, so there is plenty to do pre- or post-match if you don't have any plans in the city centre. If you do, then it's a stone's throw away from Old Trafford Metrolink stop, which has direct links to Manchester City Centre on one line and the popular town of Altrincham on the other.

Hilton Deansgate – 2.1 miles to the stadium

A bit further away from the stadium is Hilton Deansgate, the first of several skyscrapers to be built in what is now known by locals as ‘Manc-Hattan'. While taller buildings in the area have since been erected, none look as imperious or as iconic as the original.

The hotel is rated four stars and is located in the heart of the city centre. If guests get a high enough room, they can enjoy great views of the city and both Old Trafford and the Etihad Stadium. Prices for rooms on matchdays start at around £200, but you will need to take the tram to the match or embark on a 45-minute walk.

While the walk may seem a slog, if you happen to fluke a nice day in Manchester, then you can walk straight down the footpaths that run alongside the Bridgewater Canal to the stadium, which is a lovely walk. You could even rent a bike!

Hotel Gotham – 2.8 miles to the stadium

If you're looking for something a bit different then stay at the Batman-inspired ‘Hotel Gotham' on King Street in Manchester City Centre. This boutique hotel is rated five stars, and the decor inside makes you feel like you're in 1920s New York.

Each of the 55 rooms offers plenty of subtle nods to the Batman Universe, but as it's a five-star hotel, it will cost you. Matchday prices start at around £250, but due to its popularity, you will have to book months in advance.

Cheapest hotels near Old Trafford

We have done the homework for those looking for cheap hotels near Old Trafford. Below are several budget hotels we have sighted near Manchester United's stadium that you can check into during your next trip.

Note that these hotels are ideal for home and away fans visiting Old Trafford for stadium tours or matchdays.

• Britannia Hotel Manchester: This hotel is only a 20-minute drive from the city centre and 10 minutes from Manchester airport. Moreover, it is a 13-minute drive from Old Trafford. If you aren't a local, Uber will be your friend here.
• Ibis Budget Manchester Salford Quays: This is a cheap hotel near Old Trafford, located just 0.69 miles from the stadium. It takes approximately 14 minutes to walk from Old Trafford to Ibis Budget Manchester Salford Quays.
• Hotel Campanile: This hotel is approximately 2.1 miles from Old Trafford. It will take you about 36 minutes to walk to the hotel from the stadium and only eight minutes for those driving.
• Travelodge Manchester Central Arena: This is a cheap hotel in the city known for excellent service and convenience. It takes approximately 15 minutes to drive from the hotel to Old Trafford.

Hotel alternatives near Old Trafford

Staying over at a hotel for a match at Old Trafford isn't a necessity unless you are travelling from overseas for the match or if kick-off is at a really inconvenient time.

The Manchester Metrolink is well connected to Old Trafford and local railway stations, which makes it a quick getaway from the stadium after the match, surprisingly so when you consider there are 75,000 people all trying to disperse.

There are also cheaper overnight accommodations available nearby, including Airbnb's and apartments in the local Old Trafford area.