Key Takeaways

• Anfield excludes under-twos, so check eligibility before promising a first Liverpool match.
• Manchester City’s under-five concession provides admission without an allocated seat, which changes how comfortable the afternoon may be.
• Measure your matchday bag before leaving Ireland; an airline-approved cabin bag is a separate consideration.
• Confirm seats together and ticket delivery before comparing package prices.
• Build the return journey around crowd dispersal and luggage collection, alongside the final whistle.

A child’s first football trip needs more than tickets beside each other: admission ages, supervision, luggage and the journey afterwards all affect whether the day works. When taking children to Anfield, Old Trafford or the Etihad, settle those details before committing to flights or a ferry crossing.

What are the rules for taking children to Anfield?

Liverpool’s minimum matchday entry age is two, and children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult aged 18 or over. The club’s hospitality guidance also confirms that both adult and child need a ticket for their hospitality area.

For Old Trafford with children, United’s safeguarding requires under-14s to attend with someone aged 16 or over, while under-16 tickets cannot be booked without an adult in the booking. Every spectator needs a ticket. City’s official 2026/27 Old Trafford information says under-twos are prohibited. Obtain written confirmation from United for your fixture before booking a very young child’s trip.

Under Etihad child ticket rules for men’s home matches, under-14s must sit alongside an accompanying adult aged 18 or over. Children aged five upwards need tickets; under-fives may enter free without a ticket when accompanied by an adult aged 18 or over, but receive no seat. Check your particular hospitality or travel booking before relying on that concession.

Anfield bag policy, Old Trafford bag size and Etihad limits

Anfield’s bag policy allows a small handheld bag no larger than A5, measuring 148.5 × 210mm. Clear LFC retail bags containing store purchases are also permitted, while oversized bags containing necessary medication or medical equipment are considered at the club’s discretion. A normal family backpack should therefore stay at your accommodation.

Old Trafford’s bag size limit is 20 × 15 × 5cm, which is considerably smaller than most day bags. Exceptions apply to essential medical provisions or equipment and baby-changing items. United provides designated bag-drop facilities and recommends arriving two hours before kick-off if you need to use them.

The Etihad bag policy accepts small bags described by the club as A4, with dimensions of 12 × 8 × 3 inches. Its 2026/27 supporter charter permits small backpacks containing childcare essentials, while supporters requiring larger bags for medical reasons should contact the Access Team.

Arrange hotel luggage storage before travelling, particularly if arriving before check-in, and confirm any pushchair arrangements directly with the club. Keeping overnight luggage separate from matchday essentials removes an avoidable complication at security.

Official football tickets and family seating

Buy independently through the club or a partner it identifies as authorised. The Premier League warns that unauthorised tickets can be cancelled or refused, and that adding a hotel or hospitality does not prove a seller is authorised.

Ask for seating together, the ticket category and delivery instructions before paying. At Anfield, Liverpool identifies safe-standing areas in the Kop and Anfield Road Lower, where surrounding supporters may stand; discuss a suitable view for a smaller child before choosing seats.

Explore Celtic Horizon Tours’ football packages if you would prefer official match tickets, hotel accommodation and travel coordinated together.

Anfield 917 bus, Old Trafford tram and Etihad Campus connections

For Anfield, Stagecoach’s 2026/27 services include the 917 from Commutation Row and the Soccerbus from Sandhills railway station. Check current boarding points and disruption notices rather than relying on an older itinerary.

For Manchester, use TfGM’s separate football-ground journey guides: Old Trafford and Etihad Campus tram connections need checking against engineering works on your date. Enter the complete venue name when planning, since Emirates Old Trafford is the cricket ground.

Choose accommodation by the whole journey: arrival point, luggage storage, stadium connection and return departure. Ask Celtic Horizon Tours to explain the travel and hotel arrangements for your chosen fixture, so you can compare the practical workload alongside the price.

Football packages from Ireland and fixture timing

Premier League dates and kick-off times can move for broadcasting and cup commitments, so an initial Saturday listing should not determine inflexible flights. The league advises checking with the club before booking long-distance travel.

Celtic Horizon Tours brings together official match tickets, hotel accommodation and travel by flight or coach and ferry, depending on the fixture, leaving free time for your own plans. Before booking, ask how a fixture change would affect the package and any separately purchased connections.

Family matchday tips: noise, weather and stadium etiquette

Prepare children for loud celebrations and crowded concourses; United recommends ear protectors for very young spectators, a pocket safety card and keeping ticket details available. Explain that a steward is their first contact if separated.

Check the clothing rules for your ticket area. City’s home-ticket terms prohibit apparel or celebrations supporting another team, while United’s Executive Club excludes away colours. Wear suitable layers and check weather exposure with your seating provider.

Plan your family football trip with Celtic Horizon Tours. Share your children’s ages, preferred team and travel needs, and ask for a package that brings tickets, accommodation and transport together, reducing the details you need to coordinate yourself.