Check out this cool computer graphic from Manchester United showing what the new stadium could look like! … [+]
So, Old Trafford has been Manchester United’s home turf for over a century, right? Well, if co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe has his way, the Red Devils could be moving to a shiny new stadium in just five years!
Recently, Manchester United dropped the news that they’re planning to build what they’re calling the ultimate soccer stadium. This beast is set to have 100,000 seats and will feature this funky tent-like roof held up by three massive poles. Sounds wild, right?
But here’s the kicker: the new stadium will cost around $2.5 billion to make, and United is already in the hole with over $1 billion in debt. But hey, it’s super necessary for them to keep up with other clubs.
Old Trafford used to be the envy of the soccer world, but now it’s got a leaking roof and outdated facilities, and it can’t compete with the swanky digs of its rivals.
Take a peek at recent reports, and you’ll see that United’s ticket income hasn’t really improved. In fact, most teams have doubled their earnings since 2009, but United’s revenue has barely budged, making $140 million in 2024 compared to just $139 million back in 2009. That’s rough!
Now they’re ranked fifth for gate revenue behind heavy-hitters like Real Madrid and Bayern Munich. Just to give you an idea, Tottenham Spurs made bank with their new stadium and are pulling in a lot more per fan. While United makes about $77 per fan on match days, Spurs rake in around $104. Ouch!
If United can get that same amount per fan at their new place, they could double their current match-day earnings! Plus, they haven’t hosted a Champions League final in over two decades, and with the new digs, they’d likely host top-tier matches again.
And let’s be real—United is third highest in commercial revenue in the world of soccer, and a new stadium could seriously boost that with fresh sponsorship opportunities. Imagine if their name got splashed alongside a big brand; it could mean some serious cash!
Of course, building a new stadium can mess with a team’s performance in the short term, like what happened to Arsenal after moving to their new place. United plans to tie this stadium project to a government development scheme to snag some funding for the infrastructure upgrades they’ll need.
Some folks say this project and the regeneration plan could bring in a hefty $9.4 billion a year for the UK economy and create 92,000 jobs along with about 1.8 million extra visitors yearly. Talk about a tourism boost!
United is looking to speed up construction by using a modular design that’s built offsite and shipped in through the Manchester Ship Canal. The aim? To get success back on the menu for the Red Devils in the long run.
Yeah, it’s gonna cost a pretty penny, but as other clubs like Real Madrid and Barcelona are pouring cash into their stadiums, Manchester United can’t really afford to sit this one out.
