Manchester City Football Club has launched feasibility studies to expand the North Stand of its Etihad stadium, as well as developing a year-round entertainment and leisure destination.
The feasibility studies are the latest in a flurry of activity among Premier League football clubs to expand or redevelop their stadiums. The studies will consider several connected elements, central to which is an expanded North Stand. The Etihad’s capacity is currently 53,400, but the expansion could increase that to above 60,000.
Alongside this, the feasibility of an expanded and covered ‘City Square’ fan zone with food and drink outlets, a new club shop and museum, workspace and an onsite hotel are being explored.
The club has informed supporters of its plans, which it said align with the Eastlands Regeneration Framework and would ensure that its facilities offer a source of employment and economic opportunity for the local community and Manchester.
It also pledged to use its local recruitment and supply chain policies in all aspects of the development work if it is taken forward.
It has invited fans to share their views in advance of formal consultations in early 2023.
Premier League clubs expanding
Manchester City’s plans come at a time when several Premier League football clubs are either building new stadiums or expanding their existing venues. Following the 2019 completion of Tottenham Hotspur’s £800m stadium in 2019, Laing O’Rourke has begun construction of Everton FC’s new home at Bramley-Moore Dock. Last month, Laing O’Rourke began lifting into position the giant steel roof trusses that make up the stadium’s roof.
Meanwhile, Buckingham Group is building an expansion to Liverpool FC’s Anfield Road stand, which will add 7,000 more seats to take capacity to 61,000.
Other clubs are moving their expansion plans forward. They include Crystal Palace FC, which won planning permission to updates to the design of its new Main Stand at Selhurst Park in October. In September, Leicester City FC won permission to extend its King Power Stadium by 8,000 seats. And in August, Aston Villa submitted a planning application for a £100m expansion it its stadium to more than 50,000 seats. Nottingham Forest FC also won planning approval for an expansion to its City Ground, which would take capacity from 30,000 to 38,000.
Meanwhile, Manchester City’s arch rivals Manchester United opened a consultation with fans for the potential redevelopment of its Old Trafford stadium in July this year.
