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Topics: Football, Manchester City, Premier League
Marcus Chan
Manchester City have unveiled a plan to expand the Etihad Stadium which will see it become the fourth largest in the Premier League.
City announced their plan for the expansion Tuesday, stating that the capacity of the stadium will increase from the current 53,400 to over 60,000.
Early designs showed an additional 7,700 seats along with a covered fan zone.
On their website, City said: “Manchester City is delighted to unveil concepts for a best-in-class fan experience and year-round entertainment and leisure destination at the Etihad Stadium, with fans and the local community invited to share their feedback from today until Sunday 26 March.
“A covered City Square fan zone, with a capacity of 3,000 and a wide variety of food and drink outlets, new club shop, museum and hotel, are all proposed in order to offer a broader range of dynamic matchday and non-matchday activities.”
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After the proposed expansion, the Etihad will become the fourth biggest stadium in the top flight behind Manchester United’s Old Trafford, the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and West Ham’s London Stadium.
City have also vowed to address travel measures for the stadium in order to improve sustainability.
Fans have been reacting to the news on social media.
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One said: “Great stuff but I think it needs to be affordable seating for the general city fan base.”
Another tweeted: “As long as they get the acoustics right we are good.”
A third fan added: “Don’t like how the venue is connected to the stadium but I like the idea of an expansion.”
Someone else wrote: “Good commercial decision, it'll hold concerts, boxing etc and sell out.”
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Whilst a fifth commented: “That north stand is beautiful ngl.”
City said that should the planning permission be submitted and approved, work will be stretched across a three-year period.
Thoughts on City’s new plan for the Etihad? Let us know in the comments.