Man City names expanded North Stand after Guardiola
Manchester City has announced that the newly developed and expanded North Stand at the Etihad Stadium will be named The Pep Guardiola Stand.
The stand fully opened for the first time during Guardiola’s final match in charge of the club, against Aston Villa. As part of the tribute, Manchester City will also commission a statue of Guardiola, which will be placed on the approach to the stand.
The expanded North Stand adds more than 7,000 new seats, increasing Etihad Stadium’s capacity to over 61,000. The development has been under construction since late 2023 and forms a key part of the wider Etihad Campus transformation.
Alongside the stand, the project includes Medlock Square, a new fan activation space, a 401-room hotel, a club museum, retail stores, office space, restaurants and bars. The redevelopment strengthens the stadium’s role as a year-round sport, leisure and entertainment destination.
https://www.mondostadia.com/manchester-city-name-north-stand-at-etihad-after-guardiola
Sunderland expands safe standing areas at Stadium of Light
Sunderland AFC will install additional rail seating at the Stadium of Light this summer as part of a wider programme of stadium improvements ahead of the 2026/27 season.
The new rail seating will be introduced in the Roker End and South West Corner, covering blocks U15, U16, U17, U18, U37, U38, U39 and U40. The club has described the project as a continued investment in supporter safety and matchday experience, while ensuring that safe standing areas are managed in line with current regulations and operational guidance.
The expansion follows the introduction of safe standing areas in previous redevelopment phases and reflects the growing adoption of rail seating across English football. Since regulatory changes allowed licensed safe standing areas to return to the professional game, clubs have increasingly invested in rail seating as a way of improving atmosphere while maintaining modern safety standards.
The latest installation forms part of a broader infrastructure programme at Sunderland following the club’s return to the Premier League. The Stadium of Light is currently undergoing a multi-million-pound investment programme that includes the installation of a new LED perimeter advertising system, upgrades to premium hospitality facilities and the development of new executive boxes.
Beyond the stadium, Sunderland is also investing in its Academy of Light, with improvements planned for training pitches, first-team performance facilities and recovery areas. Office spaces across the club’s operations are also being refurbished as part of the wider modernisation strategy.
According to the club, the current works represent the latest phase of a long-term investment plan designed to strengthen Sunderland’s infrastructure both on and off the pitch. It marks the third consecutive summer of major upgrades at the Stadium of Light, following recent improvements that included safe standing areas, hospitality developments and enhancements to supporter facilities.
https://www.thestadiumbusiness.com/2026/05/29/new-rail-seating-coming-to-stadium-of-light
Arsenal explores Emirates Stadium renovation plans
Arsenal is preparing plans to renovate the Emirates Stadium, as the club looks to build on its first Premier League title since 2004 and further improve the matchday experience for supporters.
Co-chairman Josh Kroenke confirmed that the club is currently developing a renovation plan, with CEO Rich Garlick leading the process. The Emirates, which opened in 2006, currently holds 60,704 spectators and has a ticket waiting list of more than 100,000 people, underlining the strong demand for additional capacity.
Several options could be explored to expand the stadium, including adjusting the angle of existing seats to create more rows. Other potential concepts, such as adding another tier or lowering the pitch, would be more complex due to structural and site constraints.
Alongside any capacity increase, the club is also focused on preserving and strengthening the character of the stadium. Kroenke highlighted the ambition to deliver an improved matchday experience while keeping the identity of the Emirates intact.
The project is still in the planning stage, but Arsenal leadership has indicated that now is the right moment to assess future improvements, nearly 20 years after the club moved into the stadium.
https://www.thestadiumbusiness.com/2026/05/29/arsenal-planning-emirates-stadium-renovation
Brentford explores concert programme at Gtech Community Stadium
Brentford FC is exploring plans to host up to six concerts per year at the Gtech Community Stadium from 2027.
The club has opened consultation with local residents living near the 17,250-capacity venue, with events proposed for June and July, outside the domestic football season. No physical changes to the stadium would be required.
Brentford has said the plans will include clear controls around timings, noise, transport, stewarding, toilets and litter management. Technical and operational assessments will also be submitted to the London Borough of Hounslow as part of the planning process.
The proposal reflects the club’s ambition to use the stadium more widely beyond matchdays, while ensuring any additional events are carefully planned and managed for the surrounding community.
https://www.thestadiumbusiness.com/2026/05/27/brentford-to-seek-permission-to-stage-six-concerts
