Reported Etihad Stadium redevelopment could see capacity become third highest in the Premier League

Manchester City could expand the Etihad Stadium to have the third biggest capacity in the English top-flight.

Amidst the number of aspects about Manchester City that define them as an elite club, one of them is none other than the glorious Etihad Stadium.

In 2014 the first expansion of City’s current stadium was undertaken.

The South Stand was extended with the addition of a third tier, which, culminating alongside the additional three rows of pitch side seating, increased the Etihad Stadium capacity to 55,000.

The construction began during the campaign, before it was completed at the start of the 2015/16 season.

While the expansion ultimately remains a major success to this day, it has been revealed that Manchester City want to further make their home ground one of the best stadiums in Europe.

In the summer, City Xtra exclusively revealed that the Champions were actively conducting feasibility studies into the possible expansion of the North Stand.

And, as per a report by Martin Blackburn and Alex Smith of Sun Sport, new details have emerged regarding the club exploring ways of extending the North Stand, informally known as the Family Stand, behind the goal.

Interestingly, the proposed stadium expansion could see capacity at Eastlands grow to 60,000 - potentially becoming the third biggest in the country after the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and Manchester United’s Old Trafford.

An expansion such as this would even allow the Etihad Stadium to host a UEFA Champions League Final one day.

It is also mentioned that while there is no set time frame to begin the project, the club are understood to be intent on its initiation, and are currently conducting research on a number of different configurations.

Further details suggest that the Premier League Champions gained permission for the works back in 2015, prior to the extension of the South Stand.

Another aspect that City seem interested in adding is reportedly more corporate areas.

Additionally, the possibility of building a hotel on the site has also been mooted.

It has also been revealed that this project is set to be a lot costlier in comparison to the work done to revamp the South Stand, which is said to have cost £75 million.

At present, the City Football Group and US juggernaut, Oak View Group currently have initiated a £365 million project in which the Co-op Live Arena is being built next to the stadium, which is due to be completed in December 2023.

The prime reason why this remains key is because the club won't be permitted to start work on the Etihad Stadium before this project is completed.

City Football Group has become Oak View Group’s equal joint venture partner and investor in Co-op Live - a planned new 23,500-capacity venue next to the Etihad Stadium. CFG joins Harry Styles as an investor.

[via @stadiumbusiness] pic.twitter.com/PG0cvod9zZ

— City Xtra (@City_Xtra) May 24, 2021

Ultimately, all these changes will only elevate Manchester City’s home stadium and its status as one of the best grounds in the world.