After weeks of anticipation, match-day is finally here.
City will entertain Premiership giants Arsenal - thirteen times winners of England's top division and ten times F.A Cup holders - at the Coral Windows Stadium this (Tuesday) evening for a place in the Capital One Cup Semi-Finals.
The match is arguably City's biggest in over 12 years since the club defeated Liverpool to maintain their Premiership status back in May 2000.
A crowd of over 23,500 is expected at Valley Parade tonight, a figure which would be City's highest attendance since the 1960's. The five-digit number would also set a new all-seater stadium record for the club - currently set at 22,047 from Liverpool's visit back in May 2001.
THERE ARE NO TICKETS LEFT ON SALE FOR THIS TIE. ALL AVAILABLE TICKETS HAVE NOW BEEN TAKEN.
With a full-house expected, City have requested fans to arrive at the stadium as early as possible. With this in mind the stadium will open at the earlier time of 6.15pm. All available turnstiles will be open to speed up the entry points.
The club has put in strenuous efforts, supported by the Police and other agencies, to make sure the game is delivered safely. Please enjoy the game and act upon any instructions from stewards to ensure that the event is remembered for all the right reasons.
Road closures
Due to the capacity crowd, some road closures have been agreed with the local authority. Therefore Valley Parade, South Parade and Holywell Ash Lane will be closed to vehicles as well as Burlington Street and Cliffe Terrace. Finally, Midland Road will be closed from its junction with Thorncliffe Road right through as far Cornwall Road. Manningham Lane and Thorncliffe Road will remain unaffected by the closures but are expected to be busy. If you are able to park away from the stadium and walk the last mile it will ease problems for all concerned.
These road barriers will also be the first point for ticket checks. Please make sure you have your tickets ready at the first road closure point and any subsequent check point. Tickets will also be checked at every turnstile with at least one security staff member on duty outside every turnstile.
Approaches to the stadium
Supporters are asked to make their way directly to the area for which their ticket is valid and use the following streets to get to the stadium.
Valley Parade - for the Co-operative Main (West) Stand and TL Dallas (South) Stand only plus banqueting
Burlington Street - for the Co-operative Main (West) Stand only plus banqueting
Thorncliffe Road - for the Carlsberg Kop (North) Stand plus the Bantams Bar
Midland Road - is being used primarily for the visiting supporters and their coaches
Midland Road - there will also be limited access to home supporters with tickets for the Carlsberg Kop (North) Stand Upper level (turnstiles N9-N14) but supporters must approach these turnstiles from the direction of Queen’s Road .
Exit arrangements
The Midland Road area will be reserved for the departure of Arsenal fans after the game. Home supporters should use their usual exits from the stadium and then leave the area via Manningham Lane. Home supporters in the South Stand will be able to use the exit gate onto Midland Road but will have to leave in the direction of Hamm Strasse. Home supporters in the Carlsberg Kop (North) Stand will be able to leave by the exit gate onto Midland Road but will have to leave in the direction of Queen’s Road.
As well as a record crowd figure set to be packed into Valley Parade, the eagerly-anticipated tie is also being broadcast live on Sky Sports.
Crews from the satellite television company have been busy completing their final touches around the stadium ahead of the broadcast tonight, although Sky's temporary presenter studio, located in the club's North West Corner, has been in place since last Friday.