Etihad Stadium Feasibility Studies

Feasibility studies for development of Etihad Stadium Entertainment Destination are underway

What’s happening?

Manchester City announced on 12th December 2022 that it is undertaking feasibility studies to develop a best-in-class fan experience and a year-round entertainment and leisure destination at the Etihad Stadium. 

The studies consider several connected elements, central to which is an expanded North Stand, which could increase capacity of the Etihad Stadium to over 60,000.

Alongside this, the study is assessing the feasibility of an expanded and covered ‘City Square’ fan zone with food and drink outlets, a new club shop and museum, workspace and an onsite hotel.

Identifying opportunities to introduce new entertainment experiences - both on matchday and non-matchday - is a key component of the study, building on the Club’s ongoing commitment to invest in and develop its facilities for the benefit of its fans and visitors.

Fans and the local community will be invited to share their priorities and feedback on concepts in early 2023, before the project advances to planning.

However, in advance of consultations next year, fans and the community are welcome to share any initial views about the project now and the framework principles below.

Once feasibility assessments have been completed and these are successful, further consultation will be undertaken when fans and local residents will be invited to share their views on concept proposals for the site.

 

Aligning with local priorities

The feasibility studies are aligned with the Eastlands Regeneration Framework and an ambition to develop East Manchester into a world-leading sport, leisure, and entertainment destination.

A core principle of this is to ensure that Etihad Campus facilities are a significant source of community, employment, and economic opportunity for the local community and Manchester.

Manchester City's local recruitment and supply chain policies would apply to all aspects of any potential development works, should the project be taken forward.

The potential increase in Etihad Stadium capacity for the North Stand is within the 2014 approval for the South Stand expansion. Recent transport modelling for Co-op Live and the resulting local traffic and transport measures also included this maximum capacity.

An expanded Residents' Parking Scheme and improvements to the Metrolink are currently being implemented.

All new facilities would support Manchester's Net Zero by 2038 target, with measures being looked at to support walking and cycling links with the city centre.  

 

Building on previous investment

Since 2008, City Football Group has overseen over £700m of investment into the Etihad Campus and East Manchester.

This investment has supported thousands of jobs, with CFG and its partners delivering a range of facilities, including City Football Academy, the CO-OP Connell Sixth Form College, the Manchester Institute of Health & Performance, and Co-op Live, the UK's biggest and most sustainable arena opening in December 2023.

Framework Principles

The potential expansion of the North Stand is in accordance with Manchester City Football Club and Manchester City Council's ongoing ambition to establish destination leisure and recreational facilities of national significance at the Etihad Campus.

As North Stand Feasibility Studies progress, the proposals will be developed and evaluated against long-established regeneration principles.

Any new facilities must collectively complement and differentiate from the city centre by providing a unique and world-class content experience.

A key measure is effectively activating the Etihad Campus and improving the visitor experience on both event days and as a destination year-round to support additional economic activity and attract more visitors to Manchester.

The proposals must also protect the long-term expansion potential of the Etihad Campus and encourage further investment into the wider East Manchester area.

The full set of framework principles can be downloaded below, which are organised around the following seven priorities:

1. Maximise opportunities that support the social and economic role of the area through the provision of new employment opportunities and investment that is accessible to East Manchester residents and otherwise supports the retention and attraction of talent to the City.

2. Deliver improved social and economic outcomes through project specific implementation plans.

3. Expansion of a world-class sports destination and creation of a global exemplar.

4. Provision of distinctive destination leisure and recreation attractions and associated amenities.

5. Embed Manchester's zero-carbon targets into the Etihad Campus, in line with the Etihad Campus Sustainability Strategy.

6. Connect the Etihad Campus – both within and beyond.

7. Create a distinctive sense of place.