Manchester City to propose stadium expansion plans

Manchester City will hold an open exhibition to discuss plans to increase the capacity of the Etihad Stadium.

The club will provide two options, the first of which would see the south stand revamped to increase capacity to approximately 54,000, with the second proposing work to the south and north stands simultaneously to take it nearer 60,000.

Fans, local residents and other stakeholders will attend the function at the ground, where their opinions will be taken under consideration via a short questionnaire.

City’s head of infrastructure and corporate responsibility, Pete Bradshaw, said on the club’s website: “Manchester City Football Club strives to provide its supporters and visiting fans with one of the best possible matchday experiences in the Premier League and European football.

“Games are selling out frequently prior to going on open sale and there is rising demand from supporters for more season tickets, matchday tickets and premium seating. This is why we are considering these expansion proposals.”

Initial public discussions will run throughout July and August, before formal proposals will be put forward later in the year ahead of the club submitting their planning application in December.

City moved into the stadium in 2003 after it was initially used for the 2002 Commonwealth Games.

With a current capacity of 47,805, the redevelopment could see their maximum attendance leapfrog fellow Premier League sides Chelsea and Liverpool.