History

The stadium was originally built for the 2002 Commonwealth games. After the event it was agreed that Manchester City would become the new tenants, after playing at Maine Road for 80 years. They took over the stadium in August of 2003.

The club have spent £20m in refitting costs, so that its main purpose was a football stadium as opposed to an athletics stadium. The running track has been removed and the stands extended further downwards (adding a further 10,000 seats to the capacity), so that the spectators areas are closer to the playing action. 

The stadium has a bowl design that is totally enclosed. Both stands on either side of the pitch are virtually identical, being semi-circular in shape; three tiered, with a row of executive boxes running across the stands between the second and third tiers. The ends are smaller in size, being just two tiers high, again with a row of executive boxes, but this time running across the back just below the roof. Both these ends are of the more traditional rectangular design. The second tier around the stadium slightly overhangs the lower.

The roof runs continuously around the stadium stretching up over the stands and down to the ends, creating a spectacular effect. There is a Perspex strip just below the roof and the spectator areas, allowing light to reach the pitch.

The upper tiers are steeper than the lower, ensuring that spectators are kept close to the playing action. An interesting feature of the stadium is the open louvers in each of the four corners. These are located at either end of the level three seating in the east and Colin Bell Stands. These are closed when the stadium is in use, but when the stadium is unoccupied; they are opened to allow the wind to blow through the enclosed bowl, helping to keep the grass pitch in pristine condition.

Unlike many other stadiums and stands, there are no letters across the seats, so there is nothing like MCFC spelt out across them.

General Ground Information

C.O.M.S. is certainly less intimidating for away fans than the Maine Road ground and from the outside it looks simply spectacular. Inside the stadium it is pretty much like all new stadiums, with sleek lines and unobstructed views.

There are plenty of car park spaces available at the stadium which costs £5 per car. (Prices may be different for minibuses/coaches). Official car parks open two hours prior to kick off and will close one hour after the final whistle. All official car parks are supervised by MCFC officials.

There is a residents-only parking scheme in place in the streets near to the ground, which extends to about a mile out from the stadium. It is strictly enforced on match days, and if you do park without a permit, expect your car to be clamped or removed. If you want to park in the street it means parking further away and then walking to the stadium. Some unofficial car parks are available mostly charging around £5 per car.

The road links are busy even on non-match days so make sure you give yourself plenty of time to get there. The stadium is part of SportCity so car users should follow the brown SportCity signs until near the stadium.

The main car park at the front of the stadium is reserved for players and staff. This is quite heavily staffed and virtually impossible to get access to players for photographs or autographs.

Turnstiles open 90 minutes before kick off and the usual rules apply - no bottles or cans, flares etc.

Stewarding at the ground is good and is supported by plenty of police including mounted police especially around the away supporters’ entrance.

Programmes are available from the club shop, inside the stadium and in official tents on the main stadium concourse. Other souvenirs from small things like key rings to a full kit are available from the club shop with smaller items available in the tents.

The club offer daily tours of the stadium. The tour costs: Adults £8.75 and £4.75 for concessions. The tour also includes a visit to the club museum and the City Sports Bar. Tours should be booked in advance by calling 0870 062 1894.

From the 1st July 2007, the club, as a public arena became a no-smoking venue following government legislation. Anyone found smoking in the stadium will be ejected.