Manchester United to Leave Old Trafford for New $2B Stadium

Manchester United will be officially moving away from their storied stadium, Old Trafford.

The stadium itself is one of the most legendary arenas in the entire world. It was built in 1910 and came to be known as the “Theatre of Dreams,” and witnessed countless trophy lifts and iconic moments in the sport.

In recent years the stadium itself has been criticized for its lack of maintenance and overall age compared to its peers in the Premier League. Teams like Arsenal, Manchester City, Tottenham Hotspur, West Ham, and more have all built brand-new, modern stadiums. Liverpool have recently renovated and expanded their stadium, with plans to increase it further.

The idea of a brand-new stadium therefore stems from ambition and necessity. Reports suggest that co-owner of Manchester United, Sir Jim Ratcliffe, favors relocating rather than retrofitting the old stadium.

Manchester United revealed the plans through their official Instagram account, posting mock-up pictures of the new stadium. The design features a stadium surrounded by three large pillars, with a large canopy wrapping around the arena. The proposed “Old Trafford 2.0” reportedly aims to fit 100,000 people, and the surrounding area will also see renovation with green areas, restaurants, bars, and a concert hall, and is said to be twice the size of Trafalgar Square in London.

Ratcliffe said his aim is for it to be “the world’s greatest football stadium,”

“Our current stadium has served us brilliantly for the past 115 years, but it has fallen behind the best arenas in the sport,” he said. “By building next to the existing site, we will be able to preserve the essence of Old Trafford, while creating a truly state-of-the-art stadium that transforms the fan experience only footsteps from our historic home.”

Fan reaction has been mixed. While some encourage the step towards modernity, some see it as abandoning a sacred ground. The club is also facing consistent protests from supporters over high ticket prices and increased debt.

On the pitch, Manchester United has languished ever since their revered manager, Sir Alex Ferguson, departed the club more than a decade ago. They currently sit 14th in the Premier League table, and should they finish the season there (or lower), it would be their worst finish since 1974. Manchester United currently leads the Premier League with the most titles, 20. Liverpool, who have 19, have a 15-point lead at the top of the table and are on the precipice of equalling that record.

Work on the new stadium is said to begin this year, and the club is hopeful for completion by 2030.