Manchester City’s planning application for an entertainment destination at the Etihad Stadium secures approval

This follows the Club’s fan and community consultation which took place in February and March this year, and the subsequent submission of the Club’s full planning application in April.

Approved proposals include several connected all-weather facilities, fully integrated into the stadium, centred around an expanded North Stand with one larger, single upper tier above the existing lower tier, increasing capacity to over 60,000.

Above the upper tier there will be a sky bar with views overlooking the pitch as well as a stadium roof walk experience.

A covered City Square fan zone, with capacity for 3,000 people and a wide variety of food and drink outlets, a new club shop, museum, workspace and a 400-bed hotel will also be constructed as part of the Club’s development.

It is anticipated that main construction works will commence on-site in November 2023 which will mean the North Stand itself will be complete and open during the 2025/26 football season.

Best-in-class fan experience

The hotel, workspace and public realm works, including City Square, would subsequently complete by late 2026.

Whilst the capacity of the second tier in the North Stand will be temporarily reduced during construction, Season Ticket Members and Cityzens Matchday Members with tickets in this area will not be impacted during the 2023/24 season.

Season Ticket Members in the second tier of the North Stand that will be impacted from the 2024/25 season onwards will be contacted directly in advance of any works taking place to discuss temporary seat relocation options.

ALSD International 2023 will take place at Manchester City’s Etihad Stadium this October 9th and 10th. Optimising revenue through New Builds, Renovations & Service Expansions is the key focus of this industry-leading event, with architecture & design, fan experience, hospitality, premium sales & service, sustainability and technology taking centre stage.

Manchester City Football Club will however share further information with all fans regarding access routes to the North Stand and Metrolink ahead of the Club’s first home match of 2023/24 season in August, with the City Store having already been temporarily relocated to the City@Home building, on the west side of the stadium.

Commenting on the approval of the planning application, Danny Wilson, Managing Director – Manchester City Operations, said:

We are delighted that Manchester City Council’s planning committee has approved the Club’s proposals for a best-in-class fan experience and year-round entertainment and leisure destination at the Etihad Stadium.

This development will not only enable the Club to enhance and expand its offering to fans and visitors on both matchday and non-matchday, but it will also create lasting long-term economic and social benefits for our local community, building on the regeneration work City Football Group has delivered in East Manchester since 2008.

Source & imagery, courtesy: Man City