Manchester United has announced plans to construct a £2 billion, 100,000-seat stadium near Old Trafford, making it the largest football ground in the United Kingdom. Once completed, the club’s historic home, which has stood since 1910, will be demolished.
Co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe envisions the project as the “world’s greatest football stadium,” with completion expected within five years. The decision follows an extensive consultation process that considered whether to renovate Old Trafford or build a new venue. The club will continue playing at Old Trafford until the new stadium is ready.
The design, created by renowned architects Foster and Partners, features an “umbrella” structure and a public plaza twice the size of Trafalgar Square. Three towering masts, dubbed “the trident,” will stand 200 meters high and be visible from 25 miles away. The stadium will also incorporate sustainable elements, including rainwater harvesting.
Despite Manchester United’s current £1 billion debt, chief executive Omar Berrada expressed confidence in securing funding, calling the project “a very attractive investment opportunity.” The stadium is part of a broader regeneration of the Old Trafford area, expected to be the UK’s largest since the London 2012 Olympics. Chancellor Rachel Reeves has already pledged government support.
The project is projected to create 92,000 new jobs, include 17,000 homes, and attract an additional 1.8 million visitors annually. It is also expected to contribute £7.3 billion per year to the UK economy.
Sir Alex Ferguson endorsed the plans, acknowledging Old Trafford’s sentimental value but urging the club to “seize this opportunity to build a new home fit for the future.” Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham also welcomed the development, calling it an opportunity to create “the best football stadium in the world.”
While the proposal has received widespread support, the Manchester United Supporters Trust (MUST) has raised concerns about financing, ticket prices, and the stadium’s impact on matchday atmosphere.
The announcement follows growing criticism of Old Trafford, which, despite being England’s largest club ground with a 74,140 capacity, has suffered from structural issues and a lack of significant redevelopment since 2006. United consulted experts involved in major stadium projects, including Los Angeles’ SoFi Stadium and the redevelopment of Real Madrid’s Bernabéu, before finalizing their plans.
The new stadium, if completed as planned, will rival some of the world’s largest sporting venues, including Barcelona’s Camp Nou (105,000 capacity) and India’s Narendra Modi Stadium (132,000 capacity).
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