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Etihad Stadium renovation: Latest Manchester City stadium updates

Find out all you need to know about the Etihad Stadium renovation and what the fans think of the plans.

Manchester City's stadium is currently being renovated, with the current Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League champions looking to improve their off-field portfolio and emulate their on-field success.

The Etihad Stadium

etihad stadium sign manchester city sign

The City of Manchester Stadium, or the Etihad as it is known for sponsorship reasons, is the home of Manchester City. The Citizens moved into the stadium from their former home, Maine Road, in 2003. The current capacity of the stadium is 53,400.

Before Manchester City moved into the stadium, it was used for the Commonwealth Games in 2002, in which there used to be an athletics track that circled the stadium. This was removed over time, and the pitch itself was expanded as a result.

The first ever football match played at the stadium was a friendly between, Manchester City and Barcelona, on August 1oth, 2003, in which Manchester City won, 2-1, with Frenchman, Nicholas Anelka scoring the first-ever goal at the venue.

There have been a few renovations since Manchester City moved in. The first was back in 2010, when the football pitch itself and the hospitality areas were renovated. After season ticket sales exceeded 36,000 from 2011 to 2014, the club decided to expand the stadium capacity, and work was underway during the 2014-15 season.

A third tier was added to the South Stand, while three rows of pitch-side seating was put in to expand the capacity to 55,000. The work was completed by April 2014.

The North Stand at the time was expected to add the same, with a new third tier approved. But it never materialised, despite talks with season ticket holders now to develop the stadium and increase capacity to make it an excellent appurtenance for all fans.

Etihad Stadium renovation future development plans

Etihad Stadium renovation

However, despite these plans being stalled, a £300 million Etihad stadium renovation plan was recently approved for the North Stand.

In the plans, a new hotel will be built, while a covered fan park that can hold around 6,000 people will also be included.

This is said to increase the overall capacity to 61,474, meaning it would become the fourth largest stadium in the UK, behind Old Trafford, The London Stadium and the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Other additions to the stadium consist of 7,900 extra seating in the North Stand, with a ‘Sky Bar also included, connected with the newly built hotel. Extra VIP areas and 450 premium seats are also going to be added to the expansion.

The plans were to start in 2023, with a completion date expected to be 2026.

Fan Reaction to Etihad Stadium renovation plans

Etihad Stadium renovation
Photo by Icon Sport

While the Etihad Stadium renovation plans were announced in 2022, the feedback from Manchester City fans has been mainly positive, with most of them seeing it as the positive step the club need to make to maintain their dominance in the football world, while attracting more fans with their on-field success.

However, it has provided some fans with the opportunity to make fun of Manchester City and the long running joke that they can never fill their current capacity.