Stadium Industry Update - 1 October 2024

Manchester United teases Old Trafford revamp, Leeds United announces plans to expand Elland Road’s capacity, Manchester City reveals stunning renderings of North Stand Expansion, Genoa and Sampdoria team up to renovate Stadio Luigi Ferraris and much more in our latest stadium industry updates!

Manchester United offers first glimpse of revamped Old Trafford 

Manchester United has unveiled its ambitious plans to revitalise Old Trafford, releasing a video alongside an economic report on the potential benefits of a new 100,000-seat stadium. This redevelopment, part of the broader regeneration of Trafford Park, could contribute an estimated €8.75 bn annually to the UK economy. Oxford Economics conducted a preliminary impact assessment, suggesting the project could create 92,000 new jobs, deliver over 17,000 homes, and attract an additional 1.8 million visitors each year. 

While United has not confirmed final plans for Old Trafford, reports indicate the club is considering building a new stadium next to the current venue instead of redeveloping it. The project may also include mixed-use developments in the Trafford Wharfside area. The two-minute video on Manchester United’s website showcases renderings of a modern stadium as the centrepiece of a vibrant district, emphasising its potential to anchor a community hub with sports facilities, residential areas, entertainment and educational spaces. To involve fans in the planning process, the club has launched a survey to gather feedback on the future of Old Trafford. The Regeneration Task Force is expected to present its final recommendations by the end of the year. Initial estimates suggest the redevelopment could cost over €2.4bn and take six years to complete. United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe aims to create a state-of-the-art stadium to rival top venues like Atletico Madrid’s new Estádio Civitas Metropolitano and Barcelona’s Spotify Camp Nou. 

Leeds United announces plans to expand Elland Road’s capacity 

Leeds United has announced plans to expand Elland Road's capacity from the current 37,645 seats to approximately 53,000, aiming to establish the stadium as one of England’s premier venues. Home to the club since 1919, Elland Road will undergo significant modernisation following the club's recent acquisition of full ownership for the first time since 2004. 

The renovation project aims to enhance general admission and hospitality facilities, responding to the club's impressive sell-out record over the past six years. Currently, there are 26,000 supporters on the waiting list for season tickets, underscoring the demand for increased capacity. The expansion will focus on the North & West Stands and will be executed in phases to minimise disruption and maintain seating availability during construction. To preserve Elland Road's “unique” atmosphere, Leeds has enlisted specialist acoustic consultants. Additionally, a local transport consultant will help devise access routes and manage traffic flows during the project, with plans to improve matchday travel for both residents and supporters. Once completed, Elland Road will become the seventh largest club stadium in England and achieve UEFA Category 4 status, aligning with the club's aspirations for growth and success in the future. 

Manchester City reveals stunning renderings of North Stand Expansion 

Manchester City has announced the seating layout for the expanded North Stand at the Etihad Stadium, set to increase the venue’s capacity from 53,400 to over 60,000 for the 2025-26 season. The revamped stand will include a large 3,000 capacity rail-seating area with the option to expand based on demand. Furthermore, a family sections and dedicated tickets for fans aged 21 or less with facilities including breakout spaces, religious rooms and alcohol-free areas will be introduced. The concourse will also be redesigned. The stand will additionally feature premium seating options, including a 500-seat food hall and a bar for around 300 guests. A new sky bar will offer views overlooking the pitch, with further details set to be announced during this season. The North Stand remains the only two-tier stand at the Etihad Stadium after the South Stand’s third tier was added in 2015-16. 

This announcement follows extensive fan consultations aimed at creating a “best-in-class” matchday experience. This expansion is part of Manchester City’s broader initiative to create an entertainment destination at the Etihad Campus, which will include a stadium roof walk, a new City Square fan zone with a 3,000-person capacity, various food and drink outlets, a club shop, a museum, commercial office space and a 400-bed hotel.  

Genoa and Sampdoria launch joint venture to renovate Stadio Luigi Ferraris 

Italian football clubs Genoa and Sampdoria have established Genova Stadium Srl, a new company aimed at attracting investment for the renovation of Stadio Luigi Ferraris, which both teams share. The primary goal of the organisation is to formulate a proposal to purchase the stadium and undertake essential renovations and securing the venue's status as a host site for the 2032 UEFA European Championship, which Italy will co-host with Turkey. To meet the standards required for the tournament, upgrades are needed that will cost an estimated €60m and €80m. More details are expected to be unveiled in the next few weeks, paving the way for the stadium's transformation ahead of the prestigious European tournament.  Stadio Luigi Ferraris is currently owned by the City of Genoa and has a seating capacity of approximately 37,000. It is the oldest operating stadium in Italy and opened its doors in 1911. It was used during the 1990 FIFA World cup.  

FIFA revealed the 12 US stadiums that will host matches during Club Word Cup 

FIFA has officially revealed the 12 stadiums across the United States that will host matches during the revamped Club World Cup next summer. The tournament will kick off on 15 June, with the final set to take place at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on 13 July. Other venues scheduled to host games are Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta), TQL Stadium (Cincinnati), Bank of America Stadium (Charlotte), Rose Bowl Stadium (Los Angeles) Hard Rock Stadium (Miami), GEODIS Park (Nashville), Camping World Stadium (Orlando), Inter&Co Stadium (Orlando), Lincoln Financial Field (Philadelphia), Lumen Field (Seattle) and Audi Field (Washington). 

MetLife Stadium will host the final just over a year before it is set to stage the 2026 World Cup final. Of the 12 venues chosen for the Club World Cup, 5 will also serve as host sites for the World Cup: MetLife Stadium, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Hard Rock Stadium, Lincoln Financial Field and Lumen Field. Most of the selected venues are located on the East Coast, with only Lumen Field and Rose Bowl Stadium situated on the West Coast. This decision comes after the East Coast was left out of the venues for the upcoming Gold Cup national team tournament, which will occur from 14 June to 6 July at 14 stadiums across the US and Canada. The US was awarded hosting rights for the inaugural edition of FIFA’s newly expanded Club World Cup in June 2023. The draw for the tournament is scheduled for December, with 2 of the 32 participating teams yet to be confirmed, one from South America and one representing the US. The match schedule will be released shortly after the draw. No broadcast agreements for the tournament have been announced yet. 

Plans revealed to redevelop Sixways Stadium 

Plans have been unveiled to redevelop Sixways Stadium as part of a strategy to restore Worcester Warriors, the former Premiership club, to professional rugby in England. A planning application has been submitted to Wychavon District Council by Junction 6 Ltd, a newly established company by Chris Holland, who owns both the Warriors and Sixways Stadium. The proposal outlines a mixed-use development for Sixways, which includes plans for new and refurbished north and west stands, a hotel, facilities for medical, sports rehabilitation and research offices. Additionally, the project aims to feature a multi-storey car park, a golf driving range and a solar farm, enhancing the venue's offerings. The stadium will have a capacity of 12,500 up from the current 12,000. The Warriors are targeting entry into the Rugby Football Union's proposed new Tier 2 competition for the 2025-26 season, making this redevelopment crucial for their return to professional rugby. 

Stadion Feijenoord has paid off loan from Goldman Sachs 

Stadion Feijenoord, which owns and operates De Kuip, has paid off a loan from Goldman Sachs that was originally taken out to support the failed Feyenoord City project. This ambitious initiative aimed to redevelop the area around De Kuip, home of Feyenoord Rotterdam, and included plans for a new 63,000-seat stadium along the River Maas. It was given green light in 2017 but was abandoned in April 2022. Director Lilian de Leeuw announced that the debt, exceeding €15m, was cleared over the summer following an agreement with the Municipality of Rotterdam. As part of this arrangement, Stadion Feijenoord will forgo hosting concerts at De Kuip to facilitate local housing development in exchange for a payment of €11.8m. De Leeuw also discussed ongoing renovation efforts at De Kuip, which have gained renewed interest after a presentation from De Moderne Kuip (DMK) in February 2023, as the organisation advocates for the stadium's modernisation and improvements to the matchday experience. 

Champions League Final 2027: Milan's San Siro out, bidding reopened 

UEFA has announced that Milan will not host the Champions League final in 2027 due to uncertainties surrounding potential refurbishment work at the iconic San Siro stadium. As a result, the bidding process for the final has been reopened, with a new host expected to be selected by May or June of next year. Earlier this year, UEFA placed San Siro’s candidacy on hold while awaiting details from the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) regarding redevelopment plans for the stadium, which is home to both AC Milan and Inter Milan. However, it has now been confirmed that the Municipality of Milan could not ensure that San Siro and its surrounding areas would remain unaffected during any renovation efforts. Meanwhile, UEFA has awarded the 2026 Champions League final to Budapest's Puskás Aréna. San Siro and Puskás Aréna were the only contenders for the finals in 2026 and 2027. This year’s Champions League final was held at Wembley Stadium, while the upcoming final in 2025 is set for Munich's Allianz Arena. San Siro last hosted the prestigious event in 2016.