Park at the Lowry centre and walk over

I always used to do this, but unless you're up for a bit of a Wigan Walk you inevitably end up sat in stationary traffic for an hour afterwards. I parked in Altrincham (Diamonds RIP had very thoughtfully put on a Blue Square Premiership game there as a warmup in the afternoon) and got the tram last year and found the whole experience a million times better so will likely be doing the same this year.

Just a early warning if you are thinking about using Altrincham on Saturday Altrincham FC are at home to Boston @ 3PM and Manchester Phoenix are at home to Peterborough @ 7PM both clubs fans use the car park at Altrincham station and it can fill up early.
P's
if you do use the car park at the station be careful the wardens do work late, even though parking is free after 6PM, they will ticket for any offence.

so the queues for metrolink are for trams going into the city - not out to altrincham?

Groggy
"[iso the queues for metrolink are for trams going into the city - not out to altrincham?"[/i

you will find queues going to all destinations.
ie to Altrincham, Eccles and Manchester/Bury but the ones going to Ecceles and Altincham will not be as busy as those going into Manchester.

Sorry should have said it is the Altrincham navigation road metrolink station which has a small free carpark.