Manchester City’s Etihad Stadium Summer Overhaul Boosts Capacity & Fans

Manchester, UK - 20 July 2025 - As the 2025/26 season approaches, Manchester City is in the midst of a transformative redevelopment of Etihad Stadium, rolling out three major infrastructure projects designed to modernize the venue, expand commercial capabilities, and enhance the experience for fans. With pre-season preparations beginning later this month, construction crews are making visible progress as the club eyes a more immersive and future-ready stadium model.

At the heart of the multi-phase project is the North Stand expansion, which will increase total capacity to more than 60,000 seats, positioning the Etihad among Europe’s premier matchday venues. Recent updates shared by the club confirm the new roof is already in place, while seating installation remains in progress. Once complete, the expanded North Stand will serve as a key asset for hosting top-tier European fixtures and large-scale events.

Enhanced Digital and Fan-Focused Features

Beyond structural expansion, Manchester City is placing significant emphasis on the digital and visual experience inside the stadium. Upgrades include immersive concourse designs, reimagined fan zones, and interactive screens throughout various areas of the ground.

In the South Stand, a third new giant screen is being installed, the largest of its kind at the venue designed to enhance visibility and offer dynamic matchday content. This installation further reinforces the club’s commitment to building a fully interactive, digitally connected stadium experience.

Playing Surface and Surrounding Infrastructure

Parallel to the North Stand project, work continues on refreshing the Etihad’s playing surface. The pitch will be ready in time for City’s opening match against Wolves on 16 August, followed by their first home fixture against Tottenham during the weekend of 23 August.

The stadium’s visual identity is also being enhanced, with newly designed fan areas and updated stadium zones expected to give supporters a more immersive experience. These developments are intended to align with Manchester City’s broader fan engagement model, which now includes initiatives like the ‘City Are Back’ open training day and a growing roster of digital activations.

Integrating with the Etihad Campus Vision

The Etihad Stadium upgrades are not occurring in isolation. They form part of a wider vision by City Football Group to develop East Manchester into one of Europe’s most complete sporting and entertainment ecosystems. Adjacent to the stadium, the newly operational Co-op Live Arena is now providing year-round live entertainment and synergies with the football calendar.

Together, these investments reflect a commitment to creating a fully integrated campus that serves both sporting excellence and world-class visitor experiences.