Manchester City has received the green light for their ambitious £300m stadium expansion project, which aims to increase the capacity of the Etihad Stadium to 62,000 seats.
The club has put forth a comprehensive renovation plan to enhance the fan experience and transform the venue into a year-round entertainment and leisure destination.
As part of the expansion, Manchester City plans to construct a 400-bed hotel, a TV studio, a roof walk, and a fan zone capable of accommodating up to 3,000 people.
The proposal has been approved by the Manchester Council’s planning committee, with several members expressing their support for the plan.
The project is expected to create approximately 3,000 jobs, including 1,795 new full-time positions, providing a significant boost to the economy of Greater Manchester.
It is estimated that around £70 million will be injected into the local economy annually.
Upon completion of the expansion, the capacity of the north stand will be increased by 7,900, resulting in a total capacity of 61,968 seats at the Etihad Stadium.
Danny Wilson, City’s Managing Director of city operations, said: “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.”
Construction is expected to begin in November 2023 and the target remains to finish before the start of the 2025-26 Premier League season in August.