Manchester United officially unveiled plans for a new 100,000-seater stadium on Tuesday, March 11, 2025. Here are answers to key questions surrounding the project.
Where Will United Play During Construction?
Manchester United plan to continue playing at Old Trafford while their new £2 billion stadium is built on an adjacent site.
“By building next to the existing site, we will be able to preserve the essence of Old Trafford while creating a truly state-of-the-art stadium that transforms the fan experience only footsteps from our historic home,” said co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe.
With Old Trafford serving as United’s home for the past 115 years and currently accommodating nearly 74,000 spectators, the club is confident in maintaining its match schedule there throughout the construction process.
How Will the New Stadium Be Funded?
The club, which carries debts exceeding £1 billion, has not yet disclosed how the project will be financed.
“If the government really gets behind this scheme, we will build an iconic football stadium,” Ratcliffe stated, hinting at potential public sector involvement in funding the ambitious project.
What Is the Expected Economic Impact?
Manchester United estimates that the new stadium and the wider redevelopment of the Old Trafford area could contribute an additional £7.3 billion annually to the UK economy. The project is also expected to generate 92,000 new jobs and lead to the construction of over 17,000 new homes.
How Long Will It Take to Complete the Stadium?
Designed by renowned architect Lord Norman Foster, the stadium will be built on club-owned land adjacent to Old Trafford. The construction timeline is estimated at five years.
One key factor accelerating the process is the stadium’s proximity to the Manchester Ship Canal. The club plans to adopt a “modular” construction approach, assembling large components off-site and transporting them by boat directly to the stadium site.
According to Ratcliffe, this logistical advantage could significantly reduce the typical construction time for a stadium of this scale, cutting it from ten years to just five—provided the government’s regeneration plans proceed as expected.
What Will the New Stadium Look Like?
Dubbed ‘New Trafford’ in planning documents, the stadium will feature a striking umbrella-style roof designed to harvest solar energy and collect rainwater.
Key design highlights from the Foster and Partners report include:
The tallest mast will reach 200m, making it the tallest structure in Manchester, surpassing the 169m Beetham Tower.
New Trafford will be the second-largest football stadium in Europe, behind Barcelona’s Camp Nou.
The iconic Stretford End will have a seating capacity of 23,500.
Hospitality seating will account for 15.5% of the stadium’s capacity.
The stadium will be visible from the Peak District, Cheshire, and even the outskirts of Liverpool.
With these ambitious plans, Manchester United aims to redefine its legacy while preserving the spirit of Old Trafford for future generations.
Manchester United’s New Stadium: Project Factsheet
Project Overview
Manchester United has unveiled plans for a new 100,000-seater stadium on March 11, 2025, designed by renowned architect Lord Norman Foster. Manchester United will construct the £2 billion project, unofficially dubbed ‘New Trafford’, on land adjacent to the current Old Trafford site.
Key Facts
Location & Construction
Site: Adjacent to the existing Old Trafford stadium
Timeline: 5-year construction period (accelerated from typical 10 years)
Current Status: Planning phase
Match Continuity: Club will continue playing at Old Trafford during construction
Stadium Specifications
Capacity: 100,000 seats
Size Ranking: Will become Europe’s second-largest football stadium (behind Barcelona’s Camp Nou)
Stretford End: 23,500 capacity
Hospitality Seating: 15.5% of total capacity
Height: Main mast will reach 200m, becoming Manchester’s tallest structure (exceeding the 169m Beetham Tower)
Visibility: Will be visible from the Peak District, Cheshire, and Liverpool outskirts
Manchester United’s new stadium Design Features
Umbrella-style roof designed to harvest solar energy
Rainwater collection system
“Modular” construction approach with components assembled off-site
Utilizes Manchester Ship Canal for materials transport
Economic Impact
Total Economic Contribution: Estimated £7.3 billion annually to UK economy
Job Creation: Expected to generate 92,000 new jobs
Housing Development: Plans include over 17,000 new homes
Government Involvement: Potential public sector participation indicated
Financing
Project Cost: £2 billion
Current Club Debt: Exceeds £1 billion
Funding Model: Not yet disclosed, with hints at potential government support
Read also: Manchester United Plans to Build UK’s Largest Stadium Instead of Redeveloping Old Trafford
