Manchester City unveil ambitious plans for £10 million expansion into Etihad Campus

Premier League giants Manchester City have this week unveiled fresh plans to further expand the Etihad Campus site for the exclusive benefit of their women’s team.

The latest phase in the growth and continued expansion of the Manchester City empire in the east of the region sees a further development to the club’s state-of-the-art training facility, alongside their continued commitment to the development of the women’s team.

The City Football Academy is home to Pep Guardiola’s first-team squad, as well as all age groups of the men’s academy system, as well as Manchester City Women – who play their home matches at the recently-sponsored Joie Stadium.

Now, alongside the club’s continued investment in the Women’s team, it has this week been confirmed that the City Football Academy itself will see a further expansion to house Gareth Taylor’s star-studded squad in day-to-day activities.

As confirmed in an official Club statement this week, Manchester City Women have submitted a planning application to Manchester City Council for the development of a purpose-built training facility at the City Football Academy.

It has been confirmed that proposals, which have a total value of up to £10 million, will see the creation of a ‘stand-alone facility’ designed to house the women’s first team.

The statement continues, “Should the facility’s application be approved, it will open in 2025 and feature a hydrotherapy area, a high-performance gym and an analytics space all designed to enhance player development by mirroring the high-performance environment of the men’s first team.  

“During the planning stages, the Club worked closely with first team multi-disciplinary experts to ensure the facility best meets the specific needs of the players, and the 17,000 square foot building has also been designed so it can be expanded over time as the team continues to grow.”

Manchester City have also clarified that alongside the benefits of the brand new private facility, Manchester City Women will continue to be “a central part of the eco-system at the £200 million City Football Academy meaning they can take advantage of the resources and know-how across the organisation’s wider operations and facilities”.

Planning proposals around the City Football Academy accompany Manchester City’s ongoing construction of a brand-new north stand at the Etihad Stadium, which is expected to see the facility’s capacity increased beyond 60,000.

The plans will also see Manchester City’s Etihad Stadium feature an in-house hotel, entertainment facility, expanded club store, and increased capacity for hospitality offerings across the campaign.