Manchester United Announces Plans for New 100,000-Seat Stadium Near Old Trafford
Manchester United has announced plans to build a new 100,000-seat stadium near Old Trafford, moving away from the earlier idea of renovating their current ground. The new stadium’s design is inspired by the club’s trident symbol, with three 200-metre-high masts and a distinctive roof structure. A large public square, double the size of Trafalgar Square, will surround the stadium.
According to Sir Jim Ratcliffe, Manchester United’s minority owner, the project aims to benefit both the club and the local community, creating a modern football venue at the centre of a revitalised Old Trafford area. The stadium is being designed by Foster + Partners and will feature sustainable elements such as solar panels, rainwater collection, and shaded areas.
The club estimates that the project will significantly impact the local economy, contributing £7.3 billion, generating 92,000 jobs, and leading to the construction of 17,000 new homes. Additionally, the new stadium is expected to attract 1.8 million extra visitors annually. The cost of the project is estimated at over £2 billion. Club CEO Omar Berrada stated that selling naming rights is one of the options being considered to help fund the stadium, with potential revenue from such a deal estimated at between £15 million and £30 million per year.
Fan reactions have been varied. While many supporters welcome the investment and modernisation, there are concerns about rising ticket prices and the broader financial situation of the club. Old Trafford, United’s home since 1910, is set to be demolished once the new stadium is completed. Construction is expected to take around five years, with prefabrication techniques used to speed up the process.
Wembley Stadium is Hiring Crowd Safety Team Members
Wembley Stadium is seeking two Crowd Safety team members for a fixed-term contract until November 2025, to support the venue during its busy summer events season. In this role, you will assist the Operations division with event day operations and work closely with the Crowd Safety Manager to ensure smooth execution. You will also help prepare for events by allocating crowd safety staff, creating and distributing event-specific documentation, and providing essential administrative support, including managing purchase orders, payroll, and invoicing.
Applicants should be able to work efficiently in a fast-paced environment, with strong skills in Microsoft Office and excellent time management. Experience in the crowd safety sector, event administration, and knowledge of health and safety practices is desirable.
Benefits include access to event day tickets, free meals, private medical cover, and professional development opportunities. The Football Association is committed to diversity and encourages applications from all backgrounds.
For more information, visit the FA Careers page.
Estadio La Cartuja Set for Completion Ahead of Copa del Rey Final
With just 44 days left until the Copa del Rey final, Estadio La Cartuja in Seville is still undergoing major renovations. Heavy machinery remains on the pitch, and only the first seats have been installed in the stands. However, the stadium manager remains confident that everything will be finished on time for the final on April 26.
The ongoing works are in the final phase, and the stadium is expected to be completed by March. This will leave around a month for the turf to settle before the final, which will feature Atlético or Barcelona against Real Madrid or Real Sociedad.
Once finished, the stadium’s capacity will exceed 70,000 seats, making it the third largest in Spain after Camp Nou and Santiago Bernabéu. The expansion will push Estadio Metropolitano down to fourth in terms of size.
Aston Villa Extends Partnership with Levy UK + Ireland for 10 Years
Aston Villa has agreed to a 10-year extension of its partnership with Levy UK + Ireland, following the complete overhaul of Villa Park’s hospitality spaces. The collaboration involved transforming 14 existing hospitality areas and creating three new spaces in just five months during the summer. Additionally, 1,300 new premium seats were added to enhance the stadium’s seating options.
A key aspect of the redevelopment was a food-led strategy, which included upgraded kitchen facilities and new menus designed to improve the matchday experience. Levy has also introduced innovative technologies like self-order units, frictionless kiosks, and self-pour options to streamline service.
The partnership also extends to Villa’s training ground, Bodymoor Heath. It focuses on delivering an excellent fan experience, offering a wider range of hospitality services for various price points, setting a new standard in both the Premier League and the wider sports industry.
Sustainability is a priority for both parties, with Levy using biodegradable seaweed-based packaging at Villa Park and prioritizing locally sourced food options. The collaboration with street food vendor KERB further highlights Villa Park’s focus on supporting local businesses and delivering unique food experiences for fans.
Levy’s CEO Jon Davies expressed excitement over the partnership’s future, emphasizing innovation and sustainability as key pillars moving forward.
Celta Vigo’s Gol Stand to Be Demolished for Redevelopment
Celta Vigo’s historic Gol Stand at Estadio Abanca Balaídos will be demolished in April, marking the start of a two-year redevelopment project. The stand, which has witnessed significant moments in the club’s history, including Iago Aspas’s debut and the team’s sole Intertoto Cup win, will be replaced by a modern two-level structure with a corrugated blue facade. The new stand will be closer to the pitch, reducing the distance from 30 meters to just 8 meters, and will increase capacity from 4,200 to 6,400 seats.
However, the ongoing construction will reduce the stadium’s overall capacity to just 20,739, 2,000 fewer than the current average attendance. This may pose a challenge for Celta Vigo as they push for European competition spots. The Gol Stand’s seats will be repurposed in smaller stadiums across Galicia, continuing to support the region’s football community.
While the redevelopment is scheduled for completion by early 2027, it may coincide with further adjustments as the club prepares for potential World Cup-related upgrades, as Celta Vigo remains in contention for the 2030 World Cup.
Merkur Spiel-Arena to Receive €60m Upgrade as Part of Düsseldorf’s Venue Investment
The Merkur Spiel-Arena in Düsseldorf is set for a €60 million (£50.5 million) renovation as part of a broader €120 million investment programme to modernise key venues across the city. The stadium, which hosts Fortuna Düsseldorf and was one of the venues for UEFA Euro 2024, opened in 2004 and has since become a regular location for national team matches and major events.
D.LIVE, the city’s venue operator, announced that by 2029, improvements will be made to enhance customer experience, hospitality, infrastructure, and sustainability across Düsseldorf’s main venues. A key feature of the Merkur Spiel-Arena upgrade is the installation of a photovoltaic system covering over 7,000m² on the stadium roof, making it Germany’s third-largest stadium-based solar power system.
Further developments include the complete refurbishment of the 2,200m² Merkur Business Club, expanded 360° LED perimeter advertising, and upgrades to public catering areas. A new wayfinding system will also be introduced to improve visitor navigation, adaptable for different types of events.
The arena’s recently redesigned event spaces, known as ‘Caves and The Tunnel,’ have already won a German Design Award for interior architecture earlier this year.
Other Düsseldorf venues such as the PSD Bank Dome and the Mitsubishi Electric Halle will also be modernised under the same scheme. According to D.LIVE CEO Michael Brill, these investments will ensure Düsseldorf continues to attract top-level sports, music, and cultural events on an international scale.
FFF Seeks Alternative Venues Amid Uncertainty Over Stade de France Management
The French Football Federation (FFF) has launched a search for alternative venues for the national team’s upcoming matches, due to ongoing delays surrounding the future operator of the Stade de France. The stadium, located in Saint-Denis, is currently owned by the French Government and operated by the Consortium du Stade de France, led by Vinci and Bouygues, whose 30-year contract will expire on July 1.
The Government has opted to enter exclusive negotiations with GL Events for a new 30-year management contract, but this decision has been contested by Vinci and Bouygues, who have filed appeals, further delaying the process. As a result, the FFF is now considering a ‘plan B’ to secure venues for France’s 2026 World Cup qualifiers, as they must notify UEFA of their stadium choices by early April.
FFF president Philippe Diallo expressed frustration over the uncertainty, noting the importance of venue planning for both sporting and financial reasons. This is not the first time the FFF has had to seek alternative stadiums, having relocated fixtures during the 2023-24 season due to the Rugby World Cup and Olympic preparations.
Meanwhile, FFR president Florian Grill revealed that while the French Rugby Federation rejected GL Events’ offer to become a shareholder, they did secure favourable terms regarding match scheduling, rent reductions, and revenue sharing for rugby events.
AECOM Named Official Venue Infrastructure Partner for LA28 Games
AECOM has been appointed the official venue infrastructure partner for the LA28 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The agreement covers a range of services, including architecture, engineering, planning, program management, and construction management. This collaboration will help deliver the venue infrastructure program for both events, marking Los Angeles’ third time hosting the Olympics and its first time hosting the Paralympics.
Notably, LA28 will be the first Olympic Games in history where no new permanent venues are built, relying on existing stadiums and temporary structures. AECOM, with prior experience in London 2012, Rio 2016, and Tokyo 2021, will support the creation of temporary venues and overlays, enhancing both the athlete and spectator experience.
AECOM’s role includes overseeing venue architecture and engineering, as well as managing procurement, cost estimating, and construction processes. This partnership also builds on AECOM’s decade-long support for LA28, providing design, sustainability, and energy consulting. LA28 chairperson Casey Wasserman emphasized the innovative potential of this collaboration, aiming to deliver cutting-edge infrastructure that showcases Los Angeles’ dynamic culture and drives progress within the Olympic and Paralympic movement.
Newcastle United Eyes 65,000-Seat New Stadium Near St James’ Park
Newcastle United is reportedly planning to build a new 65,000-seat stadium near its current home at St James’ Park, shifting away from earlier redevelopment proposals. According to the Daily Mail, the Premier League club is preparing to present its new-build concept to the UK Government, after concluding that expanding St James’ Park from 52,300 to around 60,300 seats would not meet its long-term ambitions.
The club, backed by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), is in the final stages of deciding its stadium strategy, following a feasibility study by consultancy firm CAA ICON. The reported cost of redeveloping St James’ Park could be up to £1 billion, whereas constructing a new stadium is expected to cost approximately £1.5 billion.
The proposed site for the new stadium is in adjacent Leazes Park, which would allow Newcastle to continue playing at St James’ Park during construction. Club executives, including COO Brad Miller and CEO Darren Eales, are said to favour the new-build option, viewing it as a better long-term investment to maximise revenue and fulfil the PIF’s vision for the club.
Initial design plans involve contributions from KSS and Ryder Architecture and feature a stadium façade reminiscent of Bayern Munich’s Allianz Arena, along with a parkland-style fan approach similar to Wembley Way.
While the PIF prioritised improving St James’ Park after acquiring the club in 2021, Newcastle has not yet confirmed official details. However, the timeline could impact St James’ Park’s role as a host venue for UEFA Euro 2028.
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