Manchester United has unveiled plans for a new 100,000-seat stadium, set to become the largest in the UK, surpassing Wembley Stadium’s 90,000 capacity.
The proposed £2 billion project, designed by Foster + Partners, aims to replace the historic Old Trafford, which has been the club’s home for 115 years.
Manchester United made the announcement after a thorough review of whether to upgrade Old Trafford or build a new stadium, ultimately deciding on a fresh 100,000-seat venue for long-term growth and modernization.
However, Manchester United, with £1bn in debt, have not yet detailed their funding plan for the stadium.
Co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe expressed his ambition to create the “world’s greatest football stadium,” with the club aiming for completion within five years.
Club CEO Omar Berrada called it “a very attractive investment opportunity” and expressed confidence in securing financing.
Football finance expert Kieran Maguire believes the project is financially viable, stating that revenue from a “multi-functional stadium will more than outweigh the additional interest costs.”
United claim the project could generate 92,000 jobs, include 17,000 new homes, and attract 1.8 million extra visitors annually.
They estimate it will add £7.3bn per year to the UK economy.
“Today marks the start of an incredibly exciting journey to the delivery of what will be the world’s greatest stadium,” said Ratcliffe.
“Our current stadium has served us brilliantly for the past 115 years but it has fallen behind the arenas in world sport.”
Ratcliffe added “I think we may well finish up with the most iconic football stadium in the world.”
The stadium will be constructed using pre-fabricated components, transported in 160 sections via the nearby Manchester Ship Canal.
Criticism of Old Trafford, England’s largest club stadium with a 74,140 capacity, has increased in recent years due to issues like roof leaks in the Sir Bobby Charlton Stand.
Old Trafford has not undergone major redevelopment since 2006.
United consulted experts from major stadium projects, including SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles and Real Madrid’s Bernabéu redevelopment.
They also engaged with local residents and surveyed fans to gauge preference between a new build or a £1.5bn renovation of Old Trafford.
The Manchester United Supporters Trust has raised questions about the stadium project, particularly its financing.
However, it acknowledged that the announcement “could be very exciting.”
MUST said, “Whilst investment is much-needed and welcome, fans remain anxious about what it means and what the consequences will be.
“Will it drive up ticket prices and force out local fans? Will it harm the atmosphere, which is consistently fans’ top priority in the ground?
“If they are able to produce a new stadium as stunning as the plans suggest without harming the atmosphere and hiking ticket prices this could be very exciting.”
