One of the biggest redevelopments the area has seen in decades is set to be ushered in through a collaboration between Manchester United and the Trafford Council. Not only will United get a zany new 100,000-seater stadium, but the area close to Old Trafford will undergo a huge redevelopment to enhance the area beyond matchday.
As it stands, Trafford Council is in the midst of the consultation period on the Old Trafford Masterplan, which ends on 22 September. After this window, tweaks to the plans can be made and then planning and financing get underway. According to the club’s chief executive Omar Berrada, everything’s on track and going to plan.
More Than a New Stadium for Manchester
Manchester United have needed a huge renovation project to bring Old Trafford back up to scratch for years, but the new part-owners saw it as more cost-effective to simply build a new, bigger ground nearby. Their plans have aligned nicely with the plans of the government to kick off a bunch of regeneration programmes around the UK.
The project for United is set to cost at least £2 billion, but there’s clearly confidence within the hierarchy that the cash will be made available once this consultation process has concluded. While the project is said to be progressing as expected, there are still a few potential hurdles that could hinder this momentum.
As it stands, there isn’t a confirmed date to start construction. According to part-owner Jim Ratcliffe, this is because there’s a need to wait for the government to start the regeneration project in the same area. However, he does note that he believes the government wants to get things moving quickly, which will let them do so, too.
“It’s a vision for Trafford, and it’s a vision for Manchester,” says Lord Sebastian Coe. At the time of that quote, Andy Burnham was still the mayor of Manchester. Now the prime minister, the assumption will be that Burnham can further ease the path to getting the regeneration project and new stadium build going.
A 15-year Plan to Build a New District
Surrounding the new stadium, eventually, will be a proposed 15,000 new homes, hubs for commercial and cultural use, green spaces, and a new emphasis on public transport. Reportedly, the new stadium plans will cut car parking spaces significantly so that the project can maximise the use of the space available.
At its fruition in around 15 years, the new district will potentially generate £7.3 billion for the UK economy each year while creating 48,000 local jobs. Given that it’s a modern stadium, and having seen the rise in new forms of fan engagement, it could also be better equipped for live-streaming pursuits.
Around the world, live streaming is becoming the go-to way to watch football and even partake in other formats of entertainment. Netflix is betting big on live streaming, and the live casino site has risen to prominence for its commitment to real-time play. It’s the accessibility and in-the-moment action of live-streamed casino games or sports that continue to drive up engagement levels and appeal to fans.
Of course, this is just one of many potential additional revenue streams and commercial ventures that could come to the area. There will be vast spaces made available for stores, cafes, restaurants, and other entertainment venues, like cinemas or newer tech-driven experiences. It’ll all combine to make the new district very appealing even when it’s not matchday.
The new Manchester United stadium project is huge in scope and much more than simply building a team’s new home ground. Currently progressing to plan, it has the potential to create a buzzing new district that’ll offer a significant economic boost.