Manchester United has revealed plans for a new, state-of-the-art football stadium near their current home, Old Trafford. The proposed 100,000-seat venue, with an estimated cost of £2 billion, aims to establish itself as a global landmark in sports architecture.
Spearheaded by co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, the project envisions crafting what he describes as “the world’s premier football stadium,” targeting a completion timeline of approximately five years. This decision to construct a new stadium follows a comprehensive evaluation that explored both renovating the existing Old Trafford and building a completely new facility. Old Trafford has served as Manchester United’s home since 1910.
The architectural design will be handled by Foster and Partners, who have outlined plans for a distinctive “umbrella” structure. According to Lord Norman Foster, the firm’s executive chairman, the design prioritizes enhancing the fan experience by bringing spectators closer to the field and optimizing acoustics for an impactful atmosphere. The stadium will feature a large canopy designed to collect energy and rainwater, and it will overlook a public space twice the size of London’s Trafalgar Square.
Despite the club’s current debt of £1 billion, details regarding the financing of the new stadium remain undisclosed. The project is envisioned as part of a broader revitalization of the Old Trafford area, potentially the largest regeneration effort in the UK since the 2012 London Olympics’ transformation of Stratford.
The UK government, with Chancellor Rachel Reeves expressing support, anticipates substantial economic benefits. Manchester United projects the initiative will generate approximately 92,000 jobs, facilitate the construction of 17,000 new homes, and attract an additional 1.8 million annual visitors to the region. The club also estimates the project will contribute £7.3 billion annually to the UK economy.
“Today marks the beginning of an extraordinary journey to create what will be the world’s greatest stadium,” stated Ratcliffe. “While our current stadium has served us well for 115 years, it no longer matches the standards of modern sports arenas. We aspire to build the most iconic football stadium globally.”
Concerns regarding the aging Old Trafford, which holds a capacity of 74,140, have escalated in recent years, citing issues like roof leaks in the Sir Bobby Charlton Stand. The stadium has not undergone major redevelopment since 2006.
In preparation, Manchester United consulted with experts involved in recent large-scale stadium projects, including the SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles and the renovation of Real Madrid’s Santiago Bernabéu Stadium. The club also engaged with local residents and conducted a fan survey to gauge preferences between a new stadium and significant renovations to the existing structure, which were estimated to cost £1.5 billion.
The future of the current Old Trafford stadium is uncertain. Club sources have previously indicated that downsizing it for use by the women’s and youth teams would not be financially viable.
Foster and Partners, renowned for their work on the new Wembley Stadium and the Lusail Stadium, the venue for the 2022 FIFA World Cup final, will lead the architectural design of the new Manchester United stadium
