The World's Greatest Stadium

Ratcliffe says United's £2b 100,000-seater will be 'centre of regenerated Old Trafford'

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LONDON - Manchester United plan to build a new £2 billion ($3.44 billion) 100,000-seat stadium that will be the biggest in Britain, next to the existing Old Trafford, the club announced on March 11.

"Today marks the start of an incredibly exciting journey to the delivery of what will be the world's greatest football stadium, at the centre of a regenerated Old Trafford," United's co-owner Jim Ratcliffe said in a statement.

The British billionaire had been open about his desire for a new, state-of-the-art "Wembley of the north" since he became a minority owner in late 2023.

The club have been studying whether to redevelop the existing stadium, which has been the club's home since 1910, or build a new one.

United appointed Foster + Partners in September to develop a masterplan for the area around Old Trafford as part of a regeneration project.

The club unveiled architectural designs for the new stadium, which will feature an umbrella design, at an event on March 11 in London.

"This has to be one of the most exciting projects in the world today," Norman Foster, Foster + Partners' executive chairman, said in a statement.

"It all starts with the fans' experience, bringing them closer than ever to the pitch and acoustically cultivating a huge roar.

"The stadium is contained by a vast umbrella, harvesting energy and rainwater, and sheltering a new public plaza that is twice the size of Trafalgar Square."