Manchester City Football Club has submitted a planning application to expand the capacity of their Etihad Stadium to over 60,000 seats, along with the addition of a hotel, museum, and other facilities, in a £300 million investment. The plans include the addition of approximately 7,000 new seats, a covered fan zone, club shop, museum, and a 400-bed hotel.
The Etihad Stadium was recently included in the list of 10 stadiums that would host matches if the joint bid by the UK and Ireland to organize Euro 2028 is successful, with the bid quoting a planned new capacity of 61,000.
City’s managing director of operations, Danny Wilson, stated, “Over several months we have been developing concepts and designs for a best-in-class fan experience and year-round entertainment and leisure destination at the Etihad Stadium and are delighted to have now submitted a planning application to Manchester City Council.” Wilson also emphasized the club’s commitment to benefiting the local community through the proposed development.
The area around the Etihad Stadium has undergone significant transformation since an Abu-Dhabi backed takeover 15 years ago. The Etihad Campus, which includes the club’s training ground and office headquarters, opened in 2012, and a previous expansion of the Etihad’s south stand was completed in 2015.
City Football Group, the parent company of Manchester City, has been actively involved in regeneration work in East Manchester since 2008, and the proposed expansion and addition of facilities at the Etihad Stadium are expected to further contribute to long-term economic and social opportunities for the local community. The planning application will now be reviewed by Manchester City Council as the club aims to enhance the fan experience and solidify its position as a leading football club in the UK.
