Manchester United have unveiled plans for a £2 billion, 100,000-seat stadium near Old Trafford, set to become the largest in the UK. Once completed, the club’s current home is expected to be demolished.
Co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe aims to create the “world’s greatest football stadium,” with a projected completion timeline of five years. The decision follows an extensive consultation process on whether to renovate Old Trafford or construct a new venue.
Manchester United have played at Old Trafford since 1910 and will continue using it until the new stadium is ready. However, club sources have ruled out repurposing it for United’s women’s and youth teams, citing cost inefficiencies.
Designed by renowned architects Foster and Partners, the stadium will feature an umbrella-like structure, a public plaza twice the size of Trafalgar Square, and three towering masts known as “the trident,” standing 200 meters high and visible from 25 miles away.
Despite the club’s £1 billion debt, chief executive Omar Berrada is confident in securing funding, calling it “a very attractive investment opportunity.” Football finance expert Kieran Maguire believes the stadium’s multifunctional design will generate revenue that outweighs additional costs.
This project is part of a broader regeneration of the Old Trafford area, anticipated to be the UK’s most extensive since the transformation of Stratford for the 2012 Olympics. Chancellor Rachel Reeves has endorsed the plans.
United estimate the development will generate 92,000 jobs, include 17,000 new homes, attract 1.8 million visitors annually, and contribute £7.3 billion per year to the UK economy. Ratcliffe called it “an incredibly exciting journey” and believes the stadium could become the world’s most iconic.
The construction timeline depends on government approval for the regeneration scheme. The stadium will be built using prefabricated components transported via the Manchester Ship Canal.
Old Trafford, England’s largest club ground with a 74,140 capacity, has faced increasing criticism, particularly for its aging infrastructure. The last major redevelopment occurred in 2006.
United consulted experts behind major stadium projects, including LA’s SoFi Stadium and Real Madrid’s Bernabéu redevelopment, as well as local residents and fans. A survey revealed supporters favored a new build over a £1.5 billion renovation of the existing stadium.
Foster and Partners, known for designing Wembley Stadium and Qatar’s Lusail Stadium, will lead the project.
