Etihad Stadium expansion takes major leap forward

Manchester City has marked an important phase in the development of the Etihad Stadium expansion with the arrival and installation of the first steels in recent weeks.

The £300 million project, which will increase the stadium’s capacity to over 60,000 during the 2025/26 season, is now starting to take shape with the initial steel framework in place.

The expansion, which is centred around the North Stand, will see the Club develop a 3,000-capacity fan zone, a 400-bed hotel, a new club shop and a museum.

Above the upper tier of the expanded stand there will be a sky bar and a stadium roof walk that will give fans the opportunity to enjoy unique views of the pitch and Manchester skyline.

The arrival and installation of the first steels mark a significant phase in the evolution of the Etihad Campus and Manchester City’s ambition to deliver a world-class, year-round entertainment destination in the heart of East Manchester.

Upon completion, the new-look North Stand will sit opposite Co-op Live, the UK’s largest indoor arena, which opens this month – a joint venture between City Football Group and Oak View Group.

The stadium infrastructure project will also bring job opportunities and economic growth to the area, building on the Club’s long-standing investment and commitment to its local community.

During the construction phase alone, the equivalent of 890 full time roles will be delivered and the Club is working with partners and contractors to ensure local residents are well placed to take advantage of these new opportunities.

Danny Wilson, Managing Director – Manchester City Operations, joined Kevin Parker, General Secretary of the Club’s Official Supporters Club and Jayne Comer, the Women’s Representative for City Matters and a long-standing men’s season ticket member, plus site apprentices Roxana Ayre, Joe Curme and Abraham Afolabi to mark the arrival of the first steel.

Speaking at the site, Wilson commented:

It’s been an exciting few months with the arrival and installation of the first steels and fantastic to see the development and progress of the build in recent weeks.

This project has been designed with our fans at its heart and demonstrates our commitment to create one of the most memorable fan experiences in world sport. Fans will have the opportunity to extend their matchday by joining us at the new covered fan-zone, visiting the museum, or staying at the hotel.

It was also great to meet Roxana, Joe and Abraham who are already employed on site. As with every project we deliver, leaving lasting positive benefits for our local community is incredibly important to us. The expansion will bring jobs and training opportunities and we’re working with local partners to ensure residents are best placed to take advantage of new job roles, both during construction and beyond.

Since 2008, City Football Group has overseen over £700 million of investment in East Manchester and this expansion speaks to our ambition to develop a world-class entertainment destination at the Etihad Campus. The next evolution of the campus is well underway and it’s great to mark the progress being made.

Roxana, a construction apprentice working on the project, said:

We have the North Stand, and the hotel and the commercial building – it is so rare to have that in one site in your career. There are people who I work with who have been doing this for 40 or 50 years and this is so rare – it is brilliant!

Populous is lead architect on the stadium redevelopment.

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