Old Trafford

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Nicknamed 'The Theatre of Dreams' by Bobby Charlton, Old Trafford has been United's home ground since 1910, although from 1941 to 1949 the club shared Maine Road with local rivals Manchester City due to the Blitz. Old Trafford underwent several expansions in the 1990s and 2000s, including the addition of extra tiers to the North and West Stands, while the East Stand had been rebuilt in the 1970s and remained largely unchanged. After the 2006 expansion, the stadium's capacity reached 76,212, up from roughly 44,000 in 1993, following the conversion to an all-seater stadium. The stadium's record attendance was recorded in 1939, when 76,962 spectators watched the FA Cup semi-final between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Grimsby Town. The stadium hosted its inaugural game on 19 February 1910, with United playing host to Liverpool. Liverpool won 4–3. Sandy Turnbull scored the first ever goal at Old Trafford. The CLC constructed a modest station with one timber-built platform immediately adjacent to the stadium and this opened on 21 August 1935. It was initially named United Football Ground, but was renamed Old Trafford Football Ground in early 1936.

In Their Own Story

The stadium has witnessed record-breaking crowds and historic neutral fixtures. On 25 March 1939, 76,962 spectators gathered to watch an FA Cup semi-final between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Grimsby Town, setting a record attendance that remains unmatched for any match at the ground. This figure surpasses even the largest pre-Second World War league attendance of 70,504 against Aston Villa on 27 December 1920. The venue has hosted multiple FA Cup Finals, including the 1911 replay won by Bradford City and the 'Khaki Cup Final' of 1915 where Sheffield United defeated Chelsea 3–0 in front of nearly 50,000 people, many in military uniform. In the modern era, expansions during the 1990s and 2000s added extra tiers to the North, West, and East Stands, raising capacity from roughly 44,000 in 1993 back toward its original potential.

Reader's Guide

Old Trafford has hosted an FA Cup Final, two final replays and was regularly used as a neutral venue for the competition's semi-finals. It has also hosted England fixtures, and matches at the 1966 FIFA World Cup, UEFA Euro 1996, the 2012 Summer Olympics and UEFA Women's Euro 2022. The stadium also hosted the 2003 Champions League Final. Outside football, the stadium is used occasionally for rugby league. It has been the venue for the Rugby Football League's annual Super League Grand Final, and previously Premiership Final, since 1987. In addition, it has been a host venue for four editions of the Rugby League World Cup - 1995, 2000, 2013, and 2021 (men's and women's).

Did You Know?

• The first goal at Old Trafford was scored by Sandy Turnbull of Manchester United, though Liverpool won the inaugural match 4–3.
• The station adjacent to the stadium opened on 21 August 1935 as 'United Football Ground' and was renamed 'Old Trafford Football Ground' in early 1936.