Manchester United are progressing with plans to build a state-of-the-art 100,000-seater stadium and Ineos can learn a few lessons from the NFL.
This month has provided some exciting stadium updates for Manchester United. The latest Fan Forum confirmed that United are ready to begin planning and design once a deal is struck to purchase the land surrounding Old Trafford.
Old Trafford is currently the biggest club stadium in England with a capacity of 74,310, but Sir Jim Ratcliffe has revealed plans to move into a 100,000-seater stadium.
Man Utd’s new stadium plans, what we know right now
- Set to be complete by 2030/31 season
- Expected cost around £2 billion
- Old Trafford set to be demolished
- Expected to create 92,000 new jobs, 17,000 new homes and drive 1.8 million visitors annually
- Capacity of 100,000 with steepest stands allowable in UK (35 degree angle)
- Munich clock and other iconic club landmarks set to be included in new design
The plan is for the new venue to open in time for the 2030/31 season, although the ongoing discussions to purchase land could delay the timeline.
United’s stadium is set to cost £2bn, but news from the NFL might make Ineos rethink that figure.
What Man United can learn from new £2.2bn NFL stadium
Four-time Super Bowl winners Kansas City Chiefs have announced new plans to move to a new stadium.
According to The Guardian, the Chiefs have been granted their $3bn (£2.2bn) project to move to the state of Kansas into a new stadium.
Their new venue, which will also include a new state-of-the-art training facility, is set to actually shrink in capacity.
Chiefs president Mark Donovan has said the new stadium will seat about 65,000 – about 10,000 fewer fans than their current Arrowhead Stadium.
Are you happy with Ineos and Sir Jim Ratcliffe?
As pointed out in the report, this “follows a trend” across professional sports of building stadiums and arenas that have fewer seats but more amenities, luxury seating and premium spaces.
United have been warned about a 100,000-capacity stadium and finance expert Kieran Maguire predicts United will reduce their capacity during the planning stage.
As things stand, though, United are moving forward with plans to grow to a capacity of 100,000 seats.
It also suggests that United’s £2bn stadium budget is extremely ambitious given that the Chiefs are set to spend more on a smaller-scale project.
Man United’s rocky relationship with the NFL
United’s main link to the NFL is through the Glazer family – who continue to be protested against at Old Trafford.
The Glazers own the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Florida, but don’t necessarily have a great reputation over in the United States either.
NFL players slammed the Glazers for their ownership of the franchise, which United fans can certainly relate to over in Manchester.
READ MORE: Man United could exploit financial loophole as £1bn reveal speaks volumes about new stadium plan
The Glazers turned down a £4.7bn takeover bid for the Buccaneers, and they continue to hold a majority stake at United despite agreeing a minority deal with Sir Jim Ratcliffe.
As reported by the Daily Mail, United have never travelled to visit the Buccaneers, even when touring the United States, as there were fears the Red Devils players could get jealous or frustrated at how much better their training facilities are.
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