Manchester clubs to use staggered kick-offs in 2026-27 season to ease congestion

10 October 2026

Manchester's top clubs are reportedly set to use staggered kick-off times for Sunday fixtures in the 2026-27 season. The move aims to ease transport congestion in the city, with matches taking place across Sunday afternoons and some weekends including an evening fixture. Manchester United and Manchester City fans have previously faced gridlock when late kick-offs coincided with peak travel times.

Staggered kick-offs can spread fan movements across different times, helping manage demand on transport infrastructure. The Premier League first introduced staggered Sunday fixtures in 1999, when Manchester United played Chelsea at 16:05 followed by Liverpool versus Leicester City at 18:00.

Buses are a key part of matchday transport to Manchester's stadiums. Ahead of the 2026-27 season, Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) and Manchester City FC partnered to provide a large-scale matchday bus network, covering 17 routes with 60 stops and transporting over 5,000 fans. This network will be supplemented from 2026-27 with fan-friendly departures timed to match kick-offs and express services after matches.

For Manchester City fans, buses are scheduled to depart from stops up to 90 minutes before kick-off and aim to provide express services after the match. Manchester United fans attending evening matches will benefit from extended rail services, with the last northbound train departing at 23:10 after a 20:00 kick-off.

In a joint statement, Manchester City FC said, "We work closely with TfGM and other agencies to ensure the smooth running of matchdays and reduce congestion in the city. We are pleased that the Greater Manchester transport authorities have recognized the value of staggered timetables in managing crowd flows."

Long-term transport strategy

The announcement comes as part of broader efforts to improve transport for fans of both Manchester clubs. Both clubs emphasize clear communication of matchday transport arrangements and publish detailed travel guides for supporters. Manchester United FC stated, "We have been working with local transport bodies and believe staggered kick-offs will help distribute fan movement across the city more effectively."

"This is stage one in a greater drive towards making the city a cleaner, safer place for everyone, fans and non-fans alike," said a TfGM spokesperson.