Manchester City FC have submitted a planning application to create a year-round “entertainment and leisure destination” at the Etihad Stadium. The Premier League club’s proposals would see their home ground’s capacity increase to more than 60,000 as well as new facilities including a covered fan zone, club shop and museum, and 400-room hotel.
The planning application submitted to Manchester City Council comes after the club held a consultation with fans and the local community over the concepts and designs.
In a statement Man City said that the proposals represent more than “£300m investment into east Manchester through a major construction project that would take up to three years to complete, offering 2,600 jobs prioritised for people from Greater Manchester”.
What’s included in the proposals?
- Several connected all-weather facilities
- Expanded North Stand with one larger, single upper tier above the existing lower tier, increasing capacity to more than 60,000
- A sky bar above the upper tier with views overlooking the pitch
- Stadium roof walk experience
- A covered City Square fan zone, with capacity for 3,000 people
- Food and drink outlets
- New club shop and museum
- 400-bed hotel
What the club said about the plans
Danny Wilson, managing director – Manchester City operations, said: “Over several months we have been developing concepts and designs for a best-in-class fan experience and year-round entertainment and leisure destination at the Etihad Stadium and are delighted to have now submitted a planning application to Manchester City Council.
“I’d like to take this opportunity to thank our fans and the local community for their participation in our recent consultation, not only for completing the questionnaire but sharing their detailed comments and feedback with us, all of which has been carefully reviewed and considered.
“As with all club developments, ensuring our local community benefit is a key priority and we believe these proposals will deliver long-term economic and social opportunities, building on the regeneration work delivered in East Manchester by City Football Group since 2008.”
Etihad Campus
Originally built for the 2002 Commonwealth Games, the City of Manchester Stadium (now the Etihad Stadium) is located in east Manchester’s Sportcity area – which has the largest concentration of sporting venues in Europe. Currently, the Etihad Campus site features the Etihad Stadium and the City Football Academy, while a new 23,500-capacity arena, Co-op Live, is under construction nearby. City Football Group and Oak View Group are equal joint venture partners and investors in Co-op Live.
Main image: mancity.com