New Trafford Stadium

New Trafford Stadium
Interactive map of New Trafford Stadium
LocationOld Trafford
Greater Manchester, England
M16 0RA
Coordinates53°27′48″N 2°17′48″W / 53.463333°N 2.296667°W / 53.463333; -2.296667
OwnerManchester United F.C.
OperatorManchester United F.C.
Capacity100,000[1]
Construction
Construction cost£2 billion (estimated)[1]
ArchitectFoster + 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

The new stadium will be built next to Old Trafford.[3]

History

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 2012, 2019 and 2023.[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 redevelop the area around Old Trafford as part of the Trafford Wharfside Development Framework.[12] Following his purchase, Ratcliffe stated that he wanted to see a "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 members of a fans group 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 £7.3 billion each year to the UK economy.[4]

The Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, 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] 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 ($2.6 billion) designed by British architect Norman Foster.[17] The club claims they are consulting with fans on key aspects of the build.[18]

The new stadium is under consideration as a host venue for the 2035 FIFA Women's World Cup.[19]

Design

The new stadium will be one of the tallest structures in Greater Manchester and the second-largest football stadium in Europe after Nou Camp in Barcelona.[3] It will have 100,000 seats, but its gross seating capacity will reach 104,000.[20] 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 (660 ft) tall and feature a viewing platform.[2] The designs for the stadium feature a vast 126,000-square-metre (1,360,000 sq ft) canopy under which would be a commercial quarter of entertainment and commercial venues.[2] The pitch of the stadium will be 15.9 metres (52 ft) below ground level.[2]

Construction

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

  1. ^ a b c d e Critchley, Mark; Whitwell, Laurie (11 March 2025). "Manchester United announce plans for new 100,000-capacity stadium". The Athletic. Retrieved 11 March 2025.
  2. ^ 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.
  3. ^ 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.
  4. ^ a b "Man Utd stadium plans: Will Sir Jim Ratcliffe build a new ground and what will it mean for Old Trafford?". Sky Sports. 23 September 2024. Retrieved 27 August 2025.
  5. ^ Stone, Simon (23 October 2021). "Manchester United in discussions over major redevelopment of Old Trafford". BBC Sport. Retrieved 27 August 2025.
  6. ^ Stone, Simon (13 April 2023). "Old Trafford misses out as potential Euro 2028 host". BBC Sport. Retrieved 27 August 2025.
  7. ^ "Why won't Manchester United's Old Trafford host Euro 2028 matches?". The Times of India. 10 October 2023. Retrieved 27 August 2025.
  8. ^ "Olympic football fans dodge deluge at Old Trafford - video". Manchester Evening News. 3 August 2012. Retrieved 27 August 2025.
  9. ^ Jackson, Jamie (13 May 2024). "Manchester United failed to fix Old Trafford roof despite knowledge of leaks". The Guardian. Retrieved 27 August 2025.
  10. ^ Dawson, Rob (13 May 2024). "Old Trafford 'struggled to cope' with rainfall - Man Utd chiefs". ESPN. Retrieved 27 August 2025.
  11. ^ "Manchester United: Sir Jim Ratcliffe's £1.25bn deal for 27.7% stake is completed". BBC Sport. 20 February 2024. Retrieved 27 August 2025.
  12. ^ Jackson, Nick; Gawne, Ewan (19 February 2024). "Manchester United backs plans for regeneration near ground". BBC News. Retrieved 27 August 2025.
  13. ^ Roan, Dan; Davis, Matt (21 February 2024). "Old Trafford redevelopment: Sir Jim Ratcliffe wants 'national stadium in the north'". BBC Sport. Retrieved 27 August 2025.
  14. ^ "Manchester United: 'National stadium' task force unveiled". BBC News. 8 March 2024. Retrieved 27 August 2025.
  15. ^ Burnell, Paul (5 November 2024). "Majority of United fans favour new stadium - report". BBC News. Retrieved 27 August 2025.
  16. ^ Davies, Ethan (23 September 2024). "Manchester United new stadium: No public cash going on club's stadium plans - mayor". BBC News. Retrieved 27 August 2025.
  17. ^ Robson, James (11 March 2025). "Manchester United reveals plans for the 'world's greatest' soccer stadium to replace Old Trafford". Associated Press News. Retrieved 27 August 2025.
  18. ^ Hardy, Matt (10 October 2025). "Manchester United stadium plans move into next phase". City AM. Retrieved 10 October 2025.
  19. ^ Ames, Nick; Garry, Tom (3 April 2025). "New Manchester United stadium may feature at 2035 Women's World Cup". The Guardian. Retrieved 5 April 2025.
  20. ^ Ewing, Lori (11 March 2025). "Man United plan to build 'world's greatest stadium' rather than refurbish Old Trafford". Reuters. Archived from the original on 15 March 2025. Retrieved 15 March 2025.