Buy Nottingham Forest vs Manchester United tickets for the 2026/27 Season, with the match scheduled for Saturday 20 February 2027 at 15:00 at the City Ground. It is a Premier League fixture on the banks of the Trent. Television picks for February are confirmed in the weeks before the game, which can move it to another day or kick-off time.
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Few Premier League grounds feel as tight as this one when United come to town. Around 30,400 seats wrap the pitch closely, the Trent End roars from the first whistle and recent meetings have swung Forest's way after decades of United control. With home demand already outstripping supply, this is one of the toughest dates on the Nottingham Forest calendar to get into.
This guide covers resale price ranges by area, where each set of supporters sits, hospitality choices, delivery and entry plus every Premier League meeting at the City Ground. Use it to decide where to sit and when to buy before the lower-priced listings go.
A visit from Manchester United brings out every Forest fan with a membership and a fair few without one. United's following stretches across the UK, the Gulf, Asia and North America, so travelling supporters add demand that a 30,000-seat ground simply cannot absorb. The fixture has history on its side too: the City Ground's record crowd of 49,946 was set against United in October 1967.
Recent form has given the match a sharper edge. Forest are unbeaten in their last three Premier League home games against United, with two wins and a draw since December 2023. In 2024/25 they also completed a league double over United, winning at Old Trafford in December and at home in April.
Kick-off timing adds to the squeeze. If the match stays at 15:00 on the Saturday, it will not be shown live on UK television because of the 3pm blackout. That pushes even more local fans towards a seat in the ground rather than a sofa or a pub screen.
The ground itself is changing. Forest have set out plans to rebuild the Peter Taylor Stand and expand the City Ground well beyond its current size, with some proposals reaching beyond 50,000. Stadium timelines often slip, but supporters who want to see the old riverside ground in its current shape have reason to go sooner rather than later.
Premium seats move first. Executive boxes and lounge packages for United, Liverpool and the other top-category visitors tend to sell through long before the general crowd starts searching. If hospitality is the plan, start looking as soon as listings appear rather than waiting for the television slot.
Through the club, it is very hard. Forest run a mandatory MyForest membership scheme for home sales. Season tickets are sold out, with a waiting list reported to run into five figures. For a category A fixture such as United, general sale availability is extremely limited.
Members who miss out can try the club's Ticket Exchange, where season-ticket holders list seats they cannot use. That route only opens once a match has sold out. Listings for United go quickly.
United fans face their own queue. The away allocation in the Bridgford Stand typically sits around 2,500 for league fixtures. United distribute those seats through a loyalty-based system for members, so supporters without a long record of away travel rarely get near them. Away tickets across the league remain capped at £30, which keeps demand for that section high.
A verified resale marketplace removes those barriers. On 1BoxOffice you do not need a MyForest membership, loyalty points or a ballot entry. You choose the area, compare listings from verified sellers and pay the listed price, with your order protected from checkout to the turnstile.
Buying through resale also removes the calendar pressure. Club sale windows for top-category fixtures open in priority order and can close within hours for members with fewer loyalty points. On the marketplace, listings stay visible until the seats sell, so you can buy once your travel plans are settled.
One practical point for United fans: buy in the away section, or sit neutrally without colours in home areas. Segregation is strict at the City Ground for this fixture.
Five factors drive the price of a seat for this match. Seat location matters most, with central views in the Brian Clough Stand at the top of the range. Demand comes next: United sit alongside Liverpool in the top category of Forest's matchday pricing, so even face-value seats start high.
Timing plays its part, as prices tend to firm up once the television slot is confirmed. Competition context adds pressure if either side is chasing Europe or fighting near the bottom in February. Finally, hospitality tier sets its own ceiling, with boxes and lounges priced on inclusions as much as view.
| Ticket Type | Resale Price Range | Best For | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Upper rows / corners | £120 – £180 | Budget-conscious fans who want to be inside | Compact ground keeps even the corners close to play |
| Bridgford or Peter Taylor standard | £150 – £230 | Fans after a solid view at a fair price | Good value away from the most requested central blocks |
| Lower tier / central | £190 – £300+ | Close-to-the-pitch atmosphere | Front rows sit near the touchline; check for low roof edges in the back rows |
| Premium seating | £250 – £420+ | Couples and small groups after comfort | Central Brian Clough Stand seats with an elevated view |
| Hospitality / VIP | £380 – £850+ | Corporate guests and special occasions | Lounge access, dining and padded seats; limited stock for this fixture |
Prices reflect typical resale ranges and may change as demand and availability shift closer to the match.
Read a listing's price alongside its block and row. An upper-tier seat on the halfway line in the Brian Clough Stand can give a clearer view than a lower seat behind the goal at a similar price. Pairs and groups in the central blocks also carry a premium, because adjacent seats are scarce in a ground this size.
The City Ground is a traditional four-stand ground with the river running right behind the Trent End. The stands vary in age and height: the two-tier Brian Clough Stand along one side, the Peter Taylor Stand opposite, the Trent End behind one goal and the Bridgford Stand at the other. Study the City Ground seating plan to match blocks to your budget before you buy.
Each stand offers a different matchday. The table below sets out who each area suits. For transport, pubs and entry detail, the City Ground stadium guide covers the full experience. Block and row details appear on every listing, so you can match them to the plan before you commit.
| Area | What It Suits | Pricing Bracket | Guidance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trent End | Fans who want the loudest home atmosphere | Lower to mid | Home of Forest's most vocal support; expect to be on your feet for long spells. Not for United colours |
| Brian Clough Stand | Tactical viewing and comfort | Mid to premium | The largest stand, with two tiers and executive boxes; central upper rows give a clean view of the whole pitch |
| Peter Taylor Stand | Fans who like to be near the dugouts | Mid | The historic main stand opposite the Brian Clough Stand, close to the action and the focus of redevelopment plans |
| Bridgford Stand (home areas) | Families and calmer home viewing | Lower to mid | Houses the family area, with age rules set per match; upper rows look down the length of the pitch |
| Corners and upper rows | Budget buyers and first-time visitors | Lower | Few poor views in a compact ground; useful for solo fans after a single seat |
| Away section (Bridgford Stand lower tier) | Manchester United supporters | Lower to mid | Allocation of around 2,500 for league matches; United colours only in this area |
Neutral buyers and undecided fans should look at the Brian Clough Stand or the outer blocks of the Peter Taylor Stand, both side-on to the action. You get a full view of the pitch, a strong sense of the Trent End atmosphere and none of the pressure of sitting among the most committed home support. Keep colours neutral anywhere outside the away section.
Families should avoid the Trent End, where the noise and standing run all match. The Bridgford Stand family area suits them better. If you are bringing children, check the listing for any age restrictions before you buy.
Weather matters in February. Every stand is covered, but wind off the Trent can push rain into the front rows on exposed sides, so rows a little further back are the drier choice on a wet afternoon. In the away section, the low roof over the back of the lower tier keeps fans dry but can feel enclosed for those standing.
| Hospitality Option | Typical Buyer | Main Appeal |
|---|---|---|
| Executive box | Corporate groups and private parties | A private space overlooking the pitch with dedicated service |
| Lounge with dining | Client entertaining and milestone birthdays | Pre-match meal, drinks and a padded seat in a central stand |
| Suite package | Couples and small groups | Shared lounge access with half-time refreshments at a lower cost than a box |
| Premium padded seat | Fans wanting comfort without full hospitality | A central seat with quicker access, without the lounge |
Forest's hospitality spaces sit in the main stands, with executive boxes in the Brian Clough Stand and lounge-based packages that include dining, drinks and a padded match seat. Inclusions vary by package, so read the details before comparing prices. Executive boxes suit groups who want privacy for the whole afternoon, while lounges suit smaller parties after the meal and the buzz without hiring a full box.
Supply is the issue for this fixture. United's visit is one of a handful of league matches where boxes and lounge seats can sell out weeks in advance, so treat hospitality as an early decision rather than a late upgrade. Larger parties are the hardest to place together, so groups of six or more should move first.
Before you book, check what the package includes. Look for arrival and lounge opening times, whether food is served before kick-off only or after the match too, any dress code and whether parking is included, since spaces near the river fill early on matchday. Clear inclusions make it easier to compare packages that look similar on price.
| Delivery Type | What to Check |
|---|---|
| Mobile ticket transfer | The app or email account the seller will transfer to, plus a phone that can display a live, refreshing barcode |
| E-ticket (PDF or QR) | The release date stated in the listing and whether the ticket is named, so the details match your ID |
| Membership card handover | The meeting point and time, plus where to return the card after the match if required |
| In-person collection | The collection address in Nottingham, opening times on matchday and the ID you need to bring |
Read the listing notes before you buy, as they confirm the delivery method, release timing and any restrictions on the seat. Bring valid photo ID on matchday. Charge your phone fully and turn the brightness up before you reach the turnstile, since screenshots of refreshing barcodes often fail to scan. If anything about delivery is unclear, contact support well before matchday rather than at the gate.
Travel light. Bags larger than A4 are generally refused and there is no large-bag store at the ground. Nottingham railway station is a flat 15 to 20-minute walk over Trent Bridge, which is how most supporters arrive. Turnstiles usually open well over an hour before kick-off; the last 30 minutes are the busiest.
Timing of delivery is the other thing to understand. Premier League clubs often release mobile tickets only in the final days before a match, so a listing that shows delivery close to kick-off is normal rather than a warning sign. Your order stays protected while you wait.
Plan your pre-match too. The pubs around Trent Bridge and West Bridgford fill early when United visit. Some venues may also restrict entry to home supporters on big matchdays. If you are travelling as a United fan, the city centre across the river is usually the easier place to meet before the walk to the ground.
1BoxOffice has run a verified ticket marketplace since 2006, with every order covered by a 150% money-back guarantee. Here is how to secure your seats for the match.
Step1
Find the fixture
Open the Nottingham Forest against Manchester United listing for 20 February 2027 and confirm the date, venue and competition before you go further.
Step2
Set up your account
Create an account with an email address you check regularly, since delivery updates and transfer instructions arrive there.
Step3
Pick your area
Decide between the Trent End, Brian Clough Stand, Peter Taylor Stand, Bridgford Stand or the away section, using the seating guidance above.
Step4
Compare listings
Look at block, row and seat notes side by side. Two listings at similar prices can offer very different views.
Step5
Choose quantity
Select how many tickets you need. Listings show whether seats are guaranteed together or sold as a set.
Step6
Confirm delivery
Check whether the tickets arrive as a mobile transfer, e-ticket, member card or collection. The listing also shows when they will be released.
Step7
Pay securely
Complete checkout through encrypted payment. Your order confirmation lands in your inbox straight away.
Step8
Follow your order
Use track order to see delivery status right up to matchday.
Nottingham is easy to reach from across the UK and beyond. Trains from London St Pancras take under two hours, East Midlands Airport is the closest airport and Birmingham or Manchester airports offer more long-haul routes with rail links onward. Buyers flying in from the Gulf should note that the UK is four hours behind the UAE in February. If you need seats together, filter for listings that confirm adjacent seats rather than assuming a group booking will be split sensibly.
Build flexibility into your plans. The match is pencilled in for Saturday 20 February, but a television pick can move it to the Sunday or an evening slot, so refundable hotels or a Friday-to-Sunday stay protect you from a late change. Fans planning a longer trip can pair Nottingham with a game at Old Trafford, around two hours away by train. February in the East Midlands is cold and often wet, so pack layers even though the stands are covered.
United dominated the early Premier League meetings at the City Ground. They won 2-0 in August 1992, in a season that ended with Forest relegated, then drew twice in the mid-1990s before winning 4-0 on Boxing Day 1996. The low point for Forest came in February 1999, when United won 8-1 on their way to a treble, with a substitute scoring four times in the closing stages. For Forest supporters raised on the European Cup nights the same ground had hosted, those defeats stung.
Forest then spent 23 years outside the top flight. The rivalry went quiet until their return in 2022/23. United won the first meeting back in April 2023, but the balance has shifted since. Forest beat United at home in the league for the first time in the Premier League era in December 2023, won again in April 2025 to complete a league double and drew 2-2 in November 2025.
What makes this match distinctive is the reversal. For three decades United treated the City Ground as a reliable away day; now Forest's home crowd expects to compete. For a buyer, that means a genuine contest in a ground small enough to feel every swing in momentum. Three of the last four meetings here have been settled by a single goal or ended level, which keeps the crowd involved to the final whistle.
The figures below cover every Premier League meeting at the City Ground with Nottingham Forest as hosts, from 1992/93 to the end of 2025/26. Cup ties, earlier top-flight meetings and the reverse fixture at Old Trafford are excluded. United lead comfortably on wins and goals, but the recent run tells a different story. Both of Forest's wins in the fixture have come since December 2023.
| Metric | Total |
|---|---|
| Matches played | 9 |
| Nottingham Forest wins | 2 |
| Manchester United wins | 4 |
| Draws | 3 |
| Nottingham Forest goals | 8 |
| Manchester United goals | 21 |
| Biggest Nottingham Forest win | 1-0 (1 Apr 2025); also 2-1 (30 Dec 2023) |
| Biggest Manchester United win | 1-8 (6 Feb 1999) |
| First Premier League meeting in scope | 29 Aug 1992 |
| Most recent meeting in scope | 1 Nov 2025 |
Source: match records cross-referenced between Transfermarkt and StatMuse.
Every league match between the sides at the City Ground in the Premier League era with Forest at home, newest first. Scores show Forest's goals first. The gap between 1999 and 2023 reflects the seasons Forest spent outside the top flight.
| Date | Score (Forest first) |
|---|---|
| 01 Nov 2025 | 2-2 |
| 01 Apr 2025 | 1-0 |
| 30 Dec 2023 | 2-1 |
| 16 Apr 2023 | 0-2 |
| 06 Feb 1999 | 1-8 |
| 26 Dec 1996 | 0-4 |
| 27 Nov 1995 | 1-1 |
| 22 Aug 1994 | 1-1 |
| 29 Aug 1992 | 0-2 |
Source: Transfermarkt head-to-head records verified against StatMuse match logs, with Premier League and club match reports for the landmark results.
No. Club sales require membership, but resale listings on 1BoxOffice are open to anyone with an account.
Earlier is usually safer for this fixture. Choice narrows sharply in the final fortnight, particularly in the central Brian Clough Stand and hospitality areas.
Visiting supporters are placed in the lower tier of the Bridgford Stand. United shirts and scarves should stay out of every other section.
Each listing states its delivery method, most often a mobile transfer or e-ticket. You receive updates by email as the release date approaches.
Yes, when the listing confirms seats are adjacent. Larger groups usually find more options in the Peter Taylor and Bridgford Stands than in the central Brian Clough blocks.
Sources: Nottingham Forest official club information and matchday guidance, Manchester United official club news, Premier League fixture information and match reports, Sky Sports fixture list, Transfermarkt, StatMuse and ESPN.