New Trafford Stadium
 | |
| Location | Old Trafford Greater Manchester, England M16 0RA |
|---|---|
| Owner | Manchester United F.C. |
| Operator | Manchester United F.C. |
| Capacity | 100,000[1] |
| Construction | |
| Construction cost | £2 billion (estimated)[1] |
| Architect | Foster and Partners[1] |
New Trafford Stadium is the name given by the architects Foster + Partners to a potential new stadium for Manchester United that would replace Old Trafford, their home stadium since 1910.[1]
In 2025 the club announced plans designed by Foster + Partners for a 100,000 seater stadium under a canopy.[1] Manchester United hope to move to the stadium in time for the 2030–31 football season.[2] Foster + Partners referred to the new stadium as "New Trafford Stadium" in a fact sheet.[3]
The area around the stadium is likely to be subject to regeneration and development, possibly involving a public–private partnership.[3] Jim Ratcliffe said that the construction would depend on "how quickly the government get going with their regeneration programme".[3] Omar Berrada, the chief executive of Manchester United, said that "the stadium in isolation doesn't make sense without the wider regeneration project".[2] The Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves said in January 2025 that she supported the regeneration of the area around Old Trafford.[2]
Location
[edit]The new stadium will be built next to Old Trafford.[3]
History
[edit]In 2021 Manchester United looked into redeveloping Old Trafford having not done any major work since 2006.[4][5] In 2023 the stadium was left off the list for hosting Euro 2028 matches due to being unable to say whether it would be available for the competition.[6][7] The stadium had a roof leak against Arsenal in May 2024 with similar occurrences in 2023, 2019 and 2012.[8][9][10]
In February 2024 Sir Jim Ratcliffe purchased a 27.7% stake in Manchester United.[11] In the same month Trafford Council announced plans to redelvop the area around Old Trafford as part of the Trafford Wharfside Development Framework.[12] Ratcliffe following his purchase stated that he wanted to see "national stadium in the north of England", rather than refurbish the existing stadium as it would not be perfect.[13] A taskforce made up of Lord Coe, Andy Burnham, Gary Neville, Sara Todd, academics and a fans group members explored whether to renovate the existing stadium or construct a new one.[14] When fans were surveyed 52% were in favour of a new stadium rather than redevelopment[15] In September 2024 the first images of the new stadium were published and it was reported that it could bring in £7.3bn each year to the UK economy.[4]
The Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham has said that no public money would fund the stadium.[3] The area around the stadium is likely to be subject to regeneration and development, possibly involving a Public–private partnership.[3][16] Jim Ratcliffe said that the construction would depend on "how quickly the government get going with their regeneration programme".[3] Omar Berrada, the chief executive of Manchester United, said that "the stadium in isolation doesn't make sense without the wider regeneration project".[2] The Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves said in January 2025 that she supported the regeneration of the area around Old Trafford.[2]
In March 2025 it was announced that the club would build a proposed 100,000-seater arena, costing around 2 billion pounds ($2.6 billion) designed by British architect Norman Foster.[17]
Design
[edit]The new stadium will be one of the tallest structures in Manchester and the second-largest football stadium in Europe.[3] It will have 100,000 seats, but its gross seating capacity will reach 104,000.[18] Hospitality will account for 15.5% of the seats.[3] It will feature a 'trident' of three masts.[2] the central mast will be 200 metres tall and feature a viewing platform.[2] The designs for the stadium feature a vast 126,000 square metre canopy under which would be a commercial quarter of entertainment and commercial venues.[2] The pitch of the stadium will be 15.9 metres below ground level.[2]
Construction
[edit]Norman Foster of Foster + Partners has estimated that the construction will take five years.[3] It is planned to build the stadium with a modular construction, transporting materials along the Manchester Ship Canal.[3]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e Critchley, Mark; Whitwell, Laurie (2025-03-11). "Manchester United announce plans for new 100,000-capacity stadium". The Athletic. Retrieved 2025-03-11.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i MacInnes, Paul (11 March 2025). "'Eiffel Tower of the north'? Manchester United unveil 100,000-seat new stadium project". The Guardian. Retrieved 11 March 2025.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "Man Utd new stadium plans Q&A: What happens to Old Trafford? Will they play elsewhere? How much will it cost?". Sky Sports. 11 March 2025. Retrieved 11 March 2025.
- ^ a b https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11096/13065910/man-utd-stadium-plans-will-sir-jim-ratcliffe-build-a-new-ground-and-what-will-it-mean-for-old-trafford
- ^ "Manchester United in discussions over major redevelopment of Old Trafford". 23 October 2021.
- ^ "Old Trafford misses out as potential Euro 2028 host".
- ^ "Why won't Manchester United's Old Trafford host Euro 2028 matches?". The Times of India. 10 October 2023.
- ^ Jackson, Jamie (13 May 2024). "Manchester United failed to fix Old Trafford roof despite knowledge of leaks". The Guardian.
- ^ "Utd chiefs: Old Trafford couldn't cope with rain". 13 May 2024.
- ^ "Olympic football fans dodge deluge at Old Trafford - video". 3 August 2012.
- ^ "Manchester United: Sir Jim Ratcliffe's £1.25bn deal for 27.7% stake is completed". 20 February 2024.
- ^ Jackson, Nick; Gawne, Ewan (19 February 2024). "Manchester United backs plans for regeneration near ground".
- ^ Roan, Dan; Davis, Matt (21 February 2024). "Old Trafford redevelopment: Sir Jim Ratcliffe wants 'national stadium in the north'".
- ^ "Manchester United: 'National stadium' task force unveiled". 8 March 2024.
- ^ Burnell, Paul (5 November 2024). "Majority of United fans favour new stadium - report".
- ^ "Manchester United new stadium: No public cash going on club's stadium plans - mayor". 23 September 2024.
- ^ "Manchester United reveals plans for the 'world's greatest' soccer stadium to replace Old Trafford". Associated Press News. 11 March 2025.
- ^ Ewing, Lori (March 11, 2025). "Man United plan to build 'world's greatest stadium' rather than refurbish Old Trafford". Reuters. Archived from the original on March 15, 2025. Retrieved March 15, 2025.
