Eyebrows were raised as large sections of empty seats were visible during a huge European night in Manchester last night.
With Manchester City hosting Real Madrid at the Etihad Stadium in the UEFA Champions League, many viewers were quick to question the unusual sight.
Etihad Stadium had an entire tier closed for Man City vs Real Madrid
The reason behind the empty sections at Etihad Stadium is actually pretty straightforward.
An entire tier of the North Stand has been closed throughout the season due to ongoing redevelopment work, with the club in the process of expanding capacity and upgrading facilities.
Once completed, the new upper tier will add around 7,000 extra seats, taking the stadium beyond the 60,000 mark.
The work forms part of a wider project that also includes a hotel, fan zone, club shop and museum, though these additions are not expected to be fully completed until 2026.
As a result, the affected section has remained out of use, including for the high-profile clash with Real Madrid last night.
FGG says: North Stand project behind ‘Emptihad' in Champions League
While the “Emptihad” tag is often thrown around by rival fans, sometimes with good reason, this is one occasion where the cheeky jibe doesn't reflect the reality.
The empty seats were not fully down to a lack of demand, but a direct consequence of significant redevelopment work aimed at improving both capacity and the overall matchday experience.
In fact, once the expansion is complete, Man City will boast one of the largest club stadiums in England.
For now, though, the temporary closure of that tier inevitably creates the illusion of a half-empty ground, even on one of the biggest nights of the season.