MUFC Safety and Security Procedures

 

 

Manchester United takes the safety of supporters extremely seriously.

 

Working in partnership with key stakeholders including Greater Manchester Police, they constantly review safety and security procedures to help ensure the safety of all supporters, visitors and staff at Old Trafford.

 

Matchday Search Procedure

 

Since the start of the 17/18 season, MUFC have enhanced searches of all supporters at the turnstiles. This means that the searches may take longer and as a result it is likely that queues will be longer compared to previous seasons.

 

MUFC have also restricted the size of bags allowed, which will continue to be the case for this season.

 

Because of the above changes, and due to major roadworks around the stadium, they recommend the following so that you are able to get into the stadium before kick-off:

 

Arrive at Old Trafford and get to your turnstile at least an hour before the start of the match (turnstiles will still open 2 hours before kick-off) 


Do not bring a bag larger than 20cm x 15cm x 5cm (8" x 6" x 2") with you to the match; this equates to a small handbag. 

  

Bag Searches

 

All bags will be searched and items larger than the size criteria must be left at one of the Bag Drop facilities, which are located in E2 car park (including one specifically for away supporters), N2 car park and at the back of W2 car park. There is a £5 charge to leave an item with MUFC in a Bag Drop, with all profits going to Manchester United Foundation to support their work using football to engage and inspire young people across Greater Manchester to create a better life for themselves and the communities in which they live.

 

Bringing a bag will further delay your entry to the stadium (and will delay your departure after the game if you have to use a Bag Drop which will result in you missing the coach) and we therefore encourage you not to bring any bags or prohibited items to the stadium and leave them on the coach

 

Please do not be alarmed by the extra security measures, they are to ensure your time at Old Trafford is as safe as possible.

 

FAQs

 

What dimension of bag is acceptable?

 

The largest bag size permitted in the stadium is 20cm x 15cm x 5cm / 8” x 6” x 2”.

 

Unless it is:

 

A Megastore carrier bag containing items purchased from the Megastore only 

to carry essential medical or childcare items which you may require during the match.  

 

Do MUFC offer 'Bag Drop' facilities?

 

Yes. 

 

There are 6 Bag Drop facilities at Old Trafford, located in E2 car park (including one specifically for away supporters), N2 car park and at the back of W2 car park.

This is designed to allow supporters to leave larger items (e.g. suitcases, pushchairs or rucksacks) or any items that are forbidden under the Ground Regulations 


MUFC are advising supporters who wish to use Bag Drop to arrive 2 hours before kick-off to ensure that they do not miss the start of the game. 

 

Please be advised that it could take up to an hour after the final whistle to collect your belongings, so only leave use the Bag Drop facilities if you are not travelling back on the coach as the coach departs the coach park 20 minutes after the final whistle

 

The facility is staffed at all times, but supporters do leave items at their own risk. When you deposit the item you will be given a ticket. This can then be used to reclaim your item again after you have exited the stadium at full-time.

 

Is there a charge for use of the Bag Drop?

 

Yes, there is a £5 charge to leave an item with us in a Bag Drop. All profits will go to Manchester United Foundation to support their work using football to engage and inspire young people across Greater Manchester to create a better life for themselves and the communities in which they live.

 

Are there any exceptions to the Bag Drop charge?

 

Yes, any items which supporters cannot avoid bringing with them due to their Protected Characteristics, as defined under the Equality Act 2010, do not attract a charge (e.g. pram)

 

My health condition requires me to bring specific food and drink with me. Is that allowed?

 

Yes. As long you require the food and / or drink with you for medical reasons, it will be allowed into the stadium. Please bring it in as small a bag as possible so that it is quick and easy to search at the turnstile.

 

Can I bring baby changing equipment with me?

 

Yes, essential childcare items required during the game will be allowed into the stadium. Please bring them in as small a bag as possible so that it is quick and easy to search at the turnstile.

 

Is there a limit to how many carrier bags I can bring from the Megastore?

 

There is no limit, provided they all fit under your own seat and contain only items purchased in the Megastore on the day of the match you are attending.

 

Can I bring a clear carrier bag of my own?

 

Yes, as long as it fits through a slot the size of 20cm x 15cm x 5cm / 8” x 6” x 2”.

 

What if my programme doesn’t fit in my pocket and it’s raining?

 

They will provide a Megastore bag for your programme if required.

 

Can restricted items be left at the 'Bag Drop'?

 

Restricted items can be left at the Bag Drop with the exception of fireworks and illegal items which will be confiscated.

 

Will the 'Bag Drop' be secure?

 

The Bag Drop will be staffed at all times, however items are left at the owner’s risk. You will be issued with a numbered ticket and only able to collect the item which corresponds with the number on your ticket.

 

Will bags be searched?

 

Yes. A full search of all small bags will be conducted along with physical and visual searches of everyone entering the stadium.

 

What if I lose my Bag Drop ticket?

 

If you lose your ticket you will be asked for details to ensure your bag is returned to you once everyone else has collected their bags.

 

Do cameras and laptops etc. need to be presented outside of bags at the Bag Drop (i.e. like airport checks)?

 

Your items will be fully inspected at the Bag Drop facility when you arrive. It may be necessary for them to be removed from their bags if you are directed to do so by a member of staff.

 

What if I’m late into the game as a result of Bag Drop and search queues?

 

We’re advising everyone who needs to use the Bag Drop to arrive 2 hours before kick-off so that everyone has a chance to get inside the stadium in good time for kick-off. If you do miss kick-off you will not be refunded for your match ticket

 

What are the opening and closing times for the Bag Drop facilities?

 

Bag Drop facilities will be open from an hour prior to hospitality gates opening (i.e. 4 hours before kick-off), to up to two and a half hours after the final whistle.

 

What if I buy a combined programme and magazine in a sealed bag?

 

These are allowed into the stadium. Please keep them sealed and don’t store anything else in the plastic bag so that they don’t need searching at the turnstiles.

 

My health condition means I need to bring equipment with me that won’t fit in the small bag size?

 

If you have a health related need to bring equipment with you into the stadium then you are allowed to do so.

 

For small items like medication, inhalers, epi-pens and blood sugar testing kits please bring these in as small a bag as possible so it is quick and easy to search at the turnstile.

 

For any larger items like crutches, please email details to accessibility@manutd.co.uk with details of the items and your entrance number so that MUFC can ensure that security are aware in advance of the need to bring the items in. All items will be searched on entry to the stadium.

 

Can MUFC have separate queues for people with and without bags to make getting in quicker?

 

No.

 

The small size of bag allowed will take an equivalent time to search as items from pockets and so this would not make entry into the stadium quicker. It would also make the queues more complicated to organise which would potentially slow down entry for significant numbers of supporters.

 

I am a woman. Can I join a queue with a male security officer conducting searches?

 

As a female supporter, you should join the turnstile queue at your entrance labelled ‘Female Turnstile’. You can be joined in that queue by any adult male or child of any gender that are in your party, thereby allowing you to stay and enter the ground together.

 

All searches are voluntary but entry can and will be refused to those who refuse to be searched.

 

I am a man. Can I join a queue with a female security officer conducting searches?

 

Yes.

 

MUFC security officers are licensed by the Security Industry Authority (SIA) and abide by their national standards. Our searches include physical as well as visual search, female security officers can undertake searches of adults and children of any gender.

In order to keep queue times to a minimum, we would ask that you only join the female turnstile queue if you are travelling in a party with an adult woman.

All searches are voluntary but entry can and will be refused to those who refuse to be searched.

 

I am bringing a child of the opposite gender. Which queue should I join?

 

Please join the queue appropriate for you as the adult. All security officers can search children of any gender. For this purpose children are aged under 18yrs.


All searches are voluntary but entry can and will be refused by MUFC to those who refuse to be searched