Premier League holders and English hegemon Manchester City have officially announced plans to go ahead with developing an entertainment destination as well as seating expansion at the Etihad Stadium.
Opened in 2003, the Etihad, formerly known as The City of Manchester Stadium, has already gone through previous renovations and expansions in its first year of existence as well as during the 2014-15 season but plans to make the ground a “best-in-class” fan experience and year-round entertainment and leisure destination are now set to go ahead after the Manchester City Council planning committee gave final approval.
We are delighted to confirm our planning application to develop an entertainment destination at the Etihad Stadium has been approved today.
— Manchester City (@ManCity) July 27, 2023
In an official statement issued on the club’s website, the approval “follows the Club’s fan and community consultation which took place in February and March this year and the subsequent submission of the Club’s full planning application in April.”
The planned works include;
- Several connected all-weather facilities, fully integrated into the stadium, centered around an expanded North Stand with one larger, single upper tier above the existing lower tier, increasing capacity to over 60,000.
- A sky bar with views overlooking the pitch as well as a stadium roof walk experience.
- A covered City Square fan zone, with a capacity for 3,000 people and a wide variety of food and drink outlets, a new club shop, museum, workspace, and a 400-bed hotel will also be constructed as part of the Club’s development.
After receiving approval of the plans that are set to go ahead in November of this year, Managing Director of Manchester City Operations Danny Wilson stated “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.”
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