Manchester United has announced plans to demolish Old Trafford and erect a new 100,000-capacity stadium in its place. The redevelopment is expected to set them back around $2.6 billion but will stand as the jewel in the crown of the Old Trafford area’s revitalization.
The club is confident that the stadium, complemented by the broader regeneration effort aligned with the Government’s growth initiatives, could contribute an additional $9.4 billion annually to the UK’s economy. With predictions of creating upwards of 92,000 jobs, over 17,000 new homes, and drawing an extra 1.8 million visitors each year, the plans are ambitious.
Today, United showcased designs and scale models of its future stadium and the local infrastructure, brought to life by the renowned architects at Foster + Partners, tasked with the district’s design. The project now moves into a detailed phase of feasibility studies, consultations, design development, and planning, signaling a new chapter of progress.
In his statement, Sir Jim Ratcliffe, co-owner of United, expressed his excitement: “Today marks the start of an incredibly exciting journey to the delivery of what will be the world’s greatest football stadium, at the center of a regenerated Old Trafford.
“Our current stadium has served us brilliantly for the past 115 years, but it has fallen behind the best arenas in world sport. 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.
“Just as important is the opportunity for a new stadium to be the catalyst for social and economic renewal of the Old Trafford area, creating jobs and investment not just during the construction phase but on a lasting basis when the stadium district is complete.
“The Government has identified infrastructure investment as a strategic priority, particularly in the north of England, and we are proud to be supporting that mission with this project of national, as well as local, significance.”
Omar Berrada, chief executive of United, affirmed: “Our long-term objective as a club is to have the world’s best football team playing in the world’s best stadium.
“We are grateful for the feasibility work done by the Old Trafford Regeneration Task Force exploring options for the future of Old Trafford. We have carefully considered its findings, together with the views of thousands of fans and local residents, and concluded that a new stadium is the right way forward for Manchester United and our surrounding community.
“We will now embark on further consultation to ensure that fans and residents continue to be heard as we move towards final decisions.”
Former United manager Sir Alex Ferguson, synonymous with an era of unparalleled triumphs at Old Trafford, has voiced his support for the new stadium plans: “Manchester United should always strive for the best in everything it does, on and off the pitch, and that includes the stadium we play in.”
He also reflected on the importance of progressing while honoring the past: “Old Trafford holds so many special memories for me personally, but we must be brave and seize this opportunity to build a new home, fit for the future, where new history can be made.”
The vision for the future doesn’t stop there; Lord Norman Foster, Founder and Executive Chairman of Foster + Partners, shared his excitement about the project’s significance: “This has to be one of the most exciting projects in the world today, with incredible regional and national significance.
“It all starts with the fans’ experience, bringing them closer than ever to the pitch and acoustically cultivating a huge roar. The stadium is contained by a vast umbrella, harvesting energy and rainwater, and sheltering a new public plaza that is twice the size of Trafalgar Square.
“The outward-looking stadium will be the beating heart of a new sustainable district, which is completely walkable, served by public transport, and endowed by nature. It is a mixed-use miniature city of the future – driving a new wave of growth and creating a global destination that Mancunians can be proud of.”
