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Manchester United has unveiled ambitious plans to build the largest stadium in the United Kingdom, a brand-new £2 billion, 100,000-seater venue near Old Trafford. Once construction is complete, the club's historic home, which has stood since 1910, will be demolished. Co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe has expressed his desire to create the "world's greatest football stadium," with hopes that the project will be completed within five years. This announcement follows a lengthy consultation process, during which the club debated whether to renovate Old Trafford or construct an entirely new stadium.
The club has confirmed that it will continue playing at Old Trafford until the new stadium is ready, but there are no plans to repurpose the old ground for the women's or youth teams, as club officials deem it financially unviable. The new stadium will be designed by Foster and Partners, a renowned architectural firm responsible for major projects such as Wembley Stadium and the Lusail Stadium in Qatar. Their vision includes an innovative umbrella design and a vast public plaza that will be twice the size of Trafalgar Square. Additionally, the stadium will feature three towering masts known as "the trident," which will stand 200 meters tall and be visible from up to 25 miles away.
Despite Manchester United currently being £1 billion in debt, the club has yet to disclose how it plans to finance the project. However, club chief executive Omar Berrada described the new stadium as "a very attractive investment opportunity" and expressed confidence in securing funding. The stadium will be part of a larger regeneration project in the Old Trafford area, which is expected to be the most significant development of its kind in the UK since the transformation of Stratford for the 2012 London Olympics. Chancellor Rachel Reeves has already voiced government support for the plans.
According to projections, the entire development could create 92,000 new jobs, involve the construction of 17,000 homes, and attract an additional 1.8 million visitors to the area each year. The club estimates that the project will contribute an extra £7.3 billion annually to the UK economy. Sir Jim Ratcliffe, reflecting on the significance of the project, said, "Today marks the start of an incredibly exciting journey to the delivery of what will be the world's greatest stadium. Our current stadium has served us brilliantly for the past 115 years, but it has fallen behind the arenas in world sport. I think we may well finish up with the most iconic football stadium in the world." However, he acknowledged that there is currently no set date for construction to begin, as progress depends on how quickly the government moves forward with the wider regeneration initiative.
The stadium is set to be built using pre-fabrication techniques, with 160 components being shipped via the Manchester Ship Canal. While some fans are excited about the prospect of a state-of-the-art new home for the club, the decision to move away from Old Trafford has sparked mixed reactions. The Manchester United Supporters Trust (MUST) has raised several concerns, particularly regarding how the club will finance the stadium, potential increases in ticket prices, and whether the new venue will maintain the same electric atmosphere that has long defined Old Trafford. In a statement, MUST acknowledged that while investment is necessary and welcome, many supporters remain anxious about what the new stadium will mean for them. The trust questioned whether rising ticket prices might drive out local fans and whether the shift to a larger, modern stadium could negatively impact the unique matchday experience. "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," the statement read.
Manchester United's decision to move forward with a 100,000-seater stadium puts it in contention with some of the largest venues in world football. Barcelona is currently renovating the Nou Camp, which was already Europe's biggest stadium with a capacity of 99,354 and is expected to expand to 105,000. Several college football stadiums in the United States also exceed 100,000 seats, while India's Narendra Modi Stadium can hold up to 132,000 spectators. North Korea's Rungrado 1st of May Stadium is often claimed to have a capacity of 150,000, making it the world's largest sporting arena, though its actual attendance figures are widely debated. Manchester United has previously played in front of massive crowds, notably in 2014 when 109,318 fans watched them face Real Madrid at Michigan Stadium, the largest venue in the United States.
Despite some resistance to leaving Old Trafford, former manager Sir Alex Ferguson has backed the club's decision, stating that Manchester United should always strive for excellence in every aspect, both on and off the pitch. He acknowledged that Old Trafford holds countless memories but believes the club must be bold in taking this opportunity to build a modern stadium that can serve future generations. Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham also welcomed the plans, emphasizing that if executed properly, the regeneration impact could surpass even that of London 2012. He stressed the importance of creating a stadium that remains true to the club's traditions while being affordable and accessible to all fans, ensuring that nobody is priced out of the matchday experience.
