Manchester United revealed its plans on Tuesday to construct the "world's greatest" soccer stadium. The proposed 100,000-seater venue would surpass Wembley as the largest stadium in the United Kingdom.
The club, 20-time English champions, said it intends to build the new stadium next to its historic Old Trafford ground, likely avoiding the need to relocate during construction.
"Our current stadium has been excellent for us over the past 115 years, but it no longer matches the top venues in global sport," said part-owner Jim Ratcliffe. "By building adjacent to the existing site, we can maintain Old Trafford's legacy while creating a cutting-edge stadium that will elevate the fan experience just steps from our iconic home."
United did not disclose the cost or timeline for the project, though architect Norman Foster indicated that construction would take five years.
British billionaire Ratcliffe, who acquired a 25% stake in the club for $1.3 billion last year, has made the new stadium a key priority.
While redevelopment of Old Trafford was considered, the preferred option was to build a completely new venue.
"Today marks the beginning of an exciting journey toward creating the world's greatest football stadium," Ratcliffe said.
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The club envisions the stadium as part of a broader initiative to rejuvenate the surrounding Old Trafford area, a project that could contribute £7.3 billion ($9.4 billion) to the U.K. economy. The British government has expressed support, though funding details remain unclear.
Wembley, the current largest stadium in the U.K., has a capacity of 90,000 and is home to England’s national team. Twickenham, home to rugby’s national team, holds 82,500. Old Trafford, the largest soccer-specific stadium in the U.K., holds just over 74,000, but it is now considered outdated compared to more modern venues like the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, which also hosts NFL games.
"Our long-term goal is for our club to have the world's best football team playing in the world's best stadium," said United CEO Omar Berrada.
Legendary manager Alex Ferguson emphasized the need for boldness, stating the club must seize the opportunity to build a new, future-proof home for making new history.
This announcement comes just days after thousands of United fans protested against the club's ownership, citing concerns over cost-cutting, rising ticket prices, and ongoing on-field struggles.
The club is majority-owned by the American Glazer family, which also owns the NFL's Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Ratcliffe, upon investing, promised to return United to the top of European soccer after more than a decade since its last Premier League title. However, his first year overseeing soccer operations has been challenging, as the team suffered its worst-ever Premier League season last year and currently struggles in the lower half of the standings.