Name: National Football Museum
Rating: 5.0

National Football Museum

Cathedral Gardens, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M4 3BG, England

1-90 Years

Paid

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Description

The National Football Museum is the UK's national museum of the beautiful game, situated in the striking Urbis building in the heart of the city. This premier museum category attraction houses the world’s finest collection of football memorabilia, interactive games, and historical trophies. It is widely regarded as one of the best things to do with kids in Manchester because it combines sporting history with high-tech physical challenges that keep children moving and engaged.

General admission prices start from £16.00 for adults and £10.00 for children when booked online in advance. Manchester City Council residents can benefit from free entry, though proof of residency is required at the desk. For all other visitors, the ticket is valid for a full year, allowing you to return as many times as you like for no extra cost.

If you are looking for the best place for a day out with family and kids that offers a mix of legendary sporting stories and energetic skill tests, this is a top-tier choice. From lifting real trophies to testing your penalty-taking abilities, the museum provides an immersive environment for fans of all ages. It is a fantastic way to spend a rainy afternoon in the city centre while learning about the cultural impact of football.

Features

Paid
Host birthday parties: Yes

Features

Key Features

Interactive Exhibits: The Football Plus+ zones allow kids to test their speed, passing accuracy, and shot power using digital tracking.
Educational Day Out: Galleries explore the social history of the game, including the rise of the women’s game and the history of fan culture.
Sensory Play: The Discovery Zone offers younger children a space to play with soft footballs, dress up in vintage kits, and draw their own stadium.
Trophy Displays: A dedicated area where you can see iconic silverware and learn about the tournaments that made them famous.

Top 5 Highlights

Football Plus+ Challenges: These are the most popular spots for kids. You can buy credits to take part in penalty shootouts, "Shot Stopper" goal-keeping tests, and "Pass Master" agility games to see how your skills compare to the pros.
The 1966 World Cup Ball: A piece of genuine sporting history. Explaining to children that this is the actual ball from England’s greatest victory helps bring the history books to life.
The Jules Rimet Trophy: A perfect replica of the original World Cup trophy. Kids love the "photo op" potential here, imagining themselves as world champions holding the gold aloft.
The Game Changer Gallery: This section focuses on the pioneers of the sport. It includes the Lily Parr statue, which is a great talking point for families about the history and growth of women’s football.
The Match of the Day Commentary Booth: Children can step into the shoes of a broadcaster. They get to record their own commentary over famous clips, which is often a hilarious highlight for the whole family.

Facilities

Toilets: Located on multiple floors with full baby changing and accessible facilities.
Buggy Parking: There is a designated area to leave pushchairs, as the museum uses lifts between floors.
Food & Drink: The Museum Café serves light bites, while the location in Cathedral Gardens puts you seconds away from dozens of eateries.
Lockers: Lockers are available for a small fee for coats and heavy bags.

Pro-Tips for Parents

Manchester Residents Visit for Free: If you live within the Manchester City Council boundary, make sure to bring a council tax bill or utility bill to get in for free.
Book Football Plus+ Bundles: It is much cheaper to buy a bundle of challenge credits online when you book your ticket rather than buying them one by one inside.
Visit the Top Floor First: Take the lift to the top and work your way down; the interactive games are usually on the lower levels, so save them as a reward for seeing the history first.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is National Football Museum worth it for toddlers? Yes, if they are active. While the historical artifacts are for older kids, the Discovery Zone is specifically designed for under-5s, and toddlers generally love the bright lights and the chance to kick balls in the soft play area.
How long does a visit take? Expect to spend 2 to 3 hours. If your children are competitive and want to do all the Football Plus+ challenges multiple times, you may find yourself staying closer to 4 hours.
Where is the best place to park? The APCOA Shudehill car park is the most convenient "near me" option. It is a large multi-storey car park just a 3-minute walk from the museum entrance.
Are there cheap indoor activities in Manchester? While the museum has an entry fee, the 12-month return pass makes it one of the most cost-effective "near me" indoor activities in Manchester for families who plan to visit the city centre more than once a year.

The Visitor Verdict: What Parents Really Think
What Visitors Love

Revisit Value: Parents love that the tickets are valid for a year, making it great value for locals.
Interactivity: The skill challenges are consistently rated as the best part of the museum for keeping kids active.
Cleanliness and Modernity: The Urbis building is noted for being bright, clean, and very easy to navigate with lifts.

What Visitors Don't Like

Additional Costs: Some parents feel that having to pay extra for the Football Plus+ games on top of the entry fee can add up quickly.
Crowds at Weekends: The interactive zones can get very busy on Saturdays, leading to queues for the penalty shootout.

What to see

Detailed Inventory

The 1872 England vs Scotland Jersey: The world's oldest international football shirt.
Maradona’s ‘Hand of God’ Shirt: The actual jersey worn during the 1986 World Cup quarter-final.
The First Laws of the Game: Original handwritten 1863 minute book from the Freemasons' Tavern.
Pelé's 1958 World Cup Medal: A rare object from the legendary Brazilian player's first victory.
The Dick, Kerr Ladies Medal: Commemorating the most successful early women's team.
The Pickles the Dog Display: Objects telling the story of the dog who found the stolen World Cup.
Geoff Hurst's 1966 Final Boots: The footwear worn by the only man to score a World Cup final hat-trick.
The FIFA Collection: A rotation of prestigious international trophies and medals.
Nobby Stiles’ World Cup Medal: A significant piece of Manchester and England history.
Vintage Subbuteo Sets: A look at how children played football at home before video games.

Beyond the Main Attraction

Cathedral Gardens: The green space directly outside the museum is perfect for letting the kids run around or seeing the seasonal markets.
Manchester Cathedral: A stunning medieval building located just 100 yards from the museum entrance.
The Corn Exchange: A historic building across the square filled with family-friendly restaurants like Mowgli and Pizza Express.
Printworks: An entertainment complex a 2-minute walk away featuring an IMAX cinema and Treetop Adventure Golf.

New for 2026

2026 'Tech and the Turf' Exhibit: A brand-new section launching for the 2026 season exploring how VAR and wearable tech are changing the game.
The Euro 2024 Legacy Wall: A new permanent display featuring shirts and stories from the recent European Championships.
Updated Discovery Zone: Refreshed in early 2026 with new interactive sensory stations for toddlers and under-5s.

Events: For more upcoming events please visit here

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Price

Price: Paid

Price Details

City of Manchester Resident: Free
Adult (16+ years): Online £16 / Walk-up £18
Child (5–15 years): Online £10 / Walk-up £12
Under-5s: Online Free / Walk-up Free
Family Saver (2 adults, 2 children / 1 adult, 3 children): Online £44 / Walk-up £49
Concessions (Students, seniors): Online £14 / Walk-up £16
National Art Pass and Museum Association Members: Free
Blue Light Card holders: Online £12.80 / Walk-up £14.40

Pricing URL: https://nationalfootballmuseum.com/visit-us/

Birthday Parties

Offer Birthday Parties: Yes

Birthday Party Details

Venue Hire

A unique and unusual venue in the heart of Manchester, the National Football Museum provides a fantastic backdrop for a range of different events. Located in Manchester city centre, right next to Victoria Station, our iconic glass building has a range of spaces available for hire.

From dinners and awards ceremonies to parties, and brand activations, our events team will work with you to ensure that you and your guests have a truly memorable and distinctive event. Alongside this we can offer one-of-a-kind experiences such as tours, handling sessions and curator talks tailored to your audience.

Pitch Gallery: The ideal setting for large parties, dinners, awards ceremonies and more. The Pitch Gallery offers a versatile contemporary space for your special event, which seats up to 250 for dinner or 400 for an informal event.
Box Gallery: The top two floors of the museum offer a self-contained space with beautiful panoramas of the city. The space can host 40 for dinners, 50 for meetings or up to 120 for receptions,
The Dugout Cafe: Our cafe complements both the Pitch and Box Gallery, offering a great space for networking and breakouts as well as a lovely social area for lunch away from the main event space.

Open daily: 10am – 5pm (last admission 4pm)

Address: Cathedral Gardens, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M4 3BG, England

Post Code: M4 3BG

Council: Manchester

County: Greater Manchester

By Car: The National Football Museum is located in Manchester’s iconic Urbis Building in the heart of the Medieval Quarter and close to the Central Retail District, Norther Quarter and NOMA.
By Bus: Manchester has an extensive bus network including a fleet of fully electric vehicles on certain routes. There is a bus stop (code NP) right outside the museum on Corporation Street served by many different routes. The free city centre Metroshuttle service number 2 stops at the museum and links directly to Deansgate and Oxford Road train stations as well as other Metroshuttle services.
By Train: Victoria Station is a 2-minute walk from the museum and operates regional services to and from Bolton, Southport, Wigan, Preston, Blackburn, Liverpool, Manchester Airport, Edinburgh, Rochdale and Leeds. Piccadilly Station is the city’s principal station and connects to locations across the country, including the east coast main line to London Euston and Manchester Airport. Piccadilly Station is a 20-minute walk to the museum. Alternatively, you can take a short Metrolink tram ride to Victoria Station and then a 2-minute walk to our entrance.