Manchester United has officially announced plans to leave their iconic Old Trafford stadium and relocate to a new, state-of-the-art venue with a seating capacity of 100,000. The proposed stadium, which will be the largest in the UK, will be constructed on land owned by the club, situated next to the current Old Trafford location. Renowned architect Lord Norman Foster, who is overseeing the project, has stated that the construction will take approximately five years to complete.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe, co-owner of Manchester United, emphasized that the goal of the new stadium is to create “an iconic football stadium.” He explained, “By building next to the existing site, we will preserve the essence of Old Trafford while creating a world-class, cutting-edge stadium that will significantly enhance the fan experience, just a few steps away from our historic home.”
Manchester United has called Old Trafford home for over 115 years, with the current capacity holding just under 74,000 spectators. During the construction of the new stadium, it is expected that the team will continue to play at Old Trafford. The new venue, tentatively named ‘New Trafford’ in official documents, will feature a unique umbrella-like design aimed at being both functional and sustainable. Its innovative structure will incorporate features that harvest solar energy and rainwater.
Additionally, the stadium will be equipped with three towering masts, which will make it visible from up to 40 kilometers away, further adding to its striking and futuristic appearance.
