Manchester United Unveils Plans For New 100,000-Seat Stadium

By: Gyang Dakwo

Manchester United has announced plans to build a new 100,000-capacity stadium, marking a historic move away from their iconic Old Trafford home. The project, described as the “centrepiece of the regeneration of the Old Trafford area,” is expected to be completed by 2030.

Co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe hailed the plans as the start of an “incredibly exciting journey” to create “the world’s greatest football stadium.” He emphasized that while Old Trafford has served the club brilliantly for 115 years, it has fallen behind modern standards. The new stadium will be built next to the existing site, preserving the essence of Old Trafford while offering state-of-the-art facilities.

The move is set to bring significant economic benefits, including the creation of 92,000 new jobs and over 17,000 new homes. Old Trafford, which has been United’s home since 1910, currently holds around 74,000 fans, making it the UK’s second-largest football stadium after Wembley.

However, the current stadium has faced criticism for its aging infrastructure, including leaks in the Sir Bobby Charlton Stand. It was also notably excluded from the list of venues for Euro 2028, with rivals Manchester City’s Etihad Stadium chosen instead.

Legendary former manager Sir Alex Ferguson urged the club to “seize this opportunity,” stating that United must “strive for the best in everything it does.” He acknowledged the special memories of Old Trafford but called for a new home where “new history can be made.”

The project represents a bold step forward for Manchester United as they aim to remain a global football powerhouse with a stadium fit for the future.