- Manchester United is progressing towards the development of a brand new stadium
- The SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles is among the various venues United has researched
- This venue, constructed by Arsenal owner Stan Kroenke, cost a total of £4.3 billion
Manchester United is on the verge of tearing down Old Trafford to construct a new, cutting-edge stadium that would surpass Wembley in size, becoming the largest football venue in the UK.
This exciting development has been hinted at during the club’s tour in Los Angeles, where they faced Arsenal at the SoFi Stadium recently.
The remarkable facility designed by Arsenal and LA Rams owner Stan Kroenke, costing around $5.5 billion (£4.3 billion), is among several stadiums United has analyzed for inspiration in planning the new Old Trafford.
Which specific features might Sir Jim Ratcliffe draw from this remarkable venue?
Manchester United have moved closer to demolishing Old Trafford and building a new stadium
Sir Jim Ratcliffe could take inspiration from a number of venues, including the SoFi Stadium
The spectacular SoFi venue was built by Stan Kroenke at a total cost of around £4.3billion
Roof
Constructed from 300 translucent panels, the roof opens on three sides, providing shade for fans while allowing fresh air. Additionally, 27,000 embedded LED pucks enable the roof to showcase aerial visuals.
The SoFi roof is made of 300 translucent panels and LED pucks allow it to display visuals
Videoboard
Measuring 120 yards long and 75 yards wide, the videoboard is the largest in the world, weighing 1,000 tonnes and featuring an Ocular 4k display with 80 million pixels.
The videoboard is the world’s largest at 120 yards long, 75 yards wide and weighs 1,000 tonnes
Luxury suites
There are 260 luxury suites in total, including ones adjacent to the pitch. With high-end amenities, a single suite seat for the 2022 Super Bowl cost $100,000!
There are 260 luxury suites next to the pitch (pictured: a Courtyard suit for the Super Bowl)
Pitch
Located 30 meters below ground level, during construction, seven million cubic meters of soil were excavated.
The pitch is 30 metres below ground level and seven million cubic metres of soil were lifted
What are the latest developments?
It has been established that United supports Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s vision for demolishing Old Trafford to construct a new stadium, instead of merely renovating the existing one.
A dedicated task force led by Lord Coe has concluded that a completely new structure would benefit the club and the surrounding community more effectively.
United aims for a stadium with a capacity of 100,000 to maintain their position as the largest club in the nation and create what Ratcliffe describes as the ‘Wembley of the North,’ provided they can finance the £2 billion project.
Who will fund it (and how)?
This is a pivotal question that may determine whether United constructs a brand new Old Trafford or simply refurbishes the existing facility.
Currently, they lack the £2 billion required for a new construction. United is adamant that they do not seek handouts but see potential for a public-private partnership to use the new stadium as a development engine for the area.
They are also exploring private sector investment or sponsorship options, which may entail selling naming rights to Old Trafford—an action they plan to consult with fans on.
A task force led by Lord Coe has come to the conclusion that a new build would be better
Old Trafford has suffered from roof leaks and United want a fresh 100,000-capacity ground
Will United continue playing at Old Trafford during construction?
One advantage of erecting a new stadium is that United can carry on playing at Old Trafford in front of full-capacity crowds of 75,000 until the new venue is finished—likely by 2030.
Conversely, redevelopment would be more complex and possibly take longer, impacting capacity significantly or even necessitating a temporary move to another location.
How have other stadiums influenced this plan?
United has been in touch with the Zum team behind the SoFi Stadium for an extended period and has monitored the Chicago Bears’ plans for a new stadium on the waterfront as part of a larger regeneration initiative.
They have also toured various arenas in Australia, visited the Bernabeu in Madrid, and explored the Wembley and Tottenham Hotspur Stadiums.
