£300m Etihad Stadium investment moves forward

Plans for the development of a year-round entertainment and leisure destination at Manchester City’s Etihad Stadium have been approved. A hotel, a new club shop and museum, and SME workspace are also included in the proposals.The development backed by Manchester City Council’s planning committe on 27 July include several connected all-weather facilities, fully integrated into the stadium. These will be centred around an expanded North Stand with one larger, single upper tier above the existing lower tier, increasing capacity to more than 60,000.A sky bar will be above the upper tier with views overlooking the pitch as well as a stadium roof walk experience.Also to be constructed as part of the club’s development is a covered City Square fan zone, with capacity for 3,000 people. A wide variety of food and drink outlets, a new club shop, museum, workspace and a 400-bed hotel also feature.Main construction works are expected to start on-site in November 2023, which will mean the North Stand itself will be complete and open during the 2025/26 football season.Subsequently completed by late 2026 would be the hotel, workspace and public realm works, including City Square.Danny Wilson, managing director – Manchester City Operations, said: “We are delighted that Manchester City Council’s planning committee has approved the club’s proposals for a best-in-class fan experience and year-round entertainment and leisure destination at the Etihad Stadium.”This development will not only enable the club to enhance and expand its offering to fans and visitors on both matchday and non-matchday, but it will also create lasting long-term economic and social benefits for our local community, building on the regeneration work City Football Group has delivered in East Manchester since 2008.”