Sources: Manchester City set ambitious Etihad Stadium redevelopment target

Manchester City have set an ambitious time frame target on works to significantly redevelop the Etihad Stadium, City Xtra understand.

Following an exclusive report from City Xtra in August, Manchester City formally announced plans to increase capacity of the Etihad Stadium by expanding the North Stand and creating a new entertainment and leisure complex in December 2022.

A £300 million development is set to see capacity at the Etihad Stadium increase to over 60,000, with the creation of an expanded second tier in the North Stand following on from the construction of a third tier in the South Stand in 2015.

As part of the proposed redevelopment, Manchester City are also planning to create a new covered City Square Fan Zone, club shop, museum and 400-bed hotel.

The newly developed North Stand will also include a sky bar and the creation of a stadium roof walk experience.

Manchester City claim that the redevelopment will make the Etihad Stadium a “best-in-class fan experience and year-round entertainment and leisure destination,” having submitted planning permission to Manchester City Council last month.

City Xtra can reveal that the club have set an ambitious time frame on the works to redevelop the Etihad Stadium, aiming for the entire construction process to be completed within three years.

The entire redevelopment is aimed to be completed by 2027, with the expanded North Stand opening prior to the proposed new entertainment and leisure destination, City Xtra understand.

The potential for the Etihad Stadium to play host to fixtures during the 2028 European Championship has played a notable role in the outlined time frame for planned constructions.

The ground, which played host to the Commonwealth Games in 2002, was selected ahead of Manchester United’s Old Trafford as part of a bid by the UK and Ireland to host the tournament in 2028.

The Etihad Stadium was one of 10 selected stadiums, with the list including Wembley Stadium, St James’ Park and Villa Park as well as Wales’ Principality Stadium, Casement Park in Belfast, the Aviva in Dublin and Hampden Park in Scotland.

Work is also currently underway outside the ground for the building of a 23,500 seater arena.

The Co-Op Live, which is aiming to open in December 2023, has investors which include global phenomenon Harry Styles and is expected to house over 100 shows annually.