Man United reveal how 100,000 seater stadium costing £2bn will be funded
Manchester United’s new stadium will not be funded by taxpayers, the club have confirmed.
The Red Devils unveiled plans to redevelop Old Trafford and the surrounding area in March 2025.
As part of their proposal, a new 100,000-capacity stadium dubbed the ‘Wembley of the North’ would take centre stage.
At the time, co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe suggested the project could be at least partially funded by taxpayers. However, this was shot down by mayor of Manchester Andy Burnham.
Following Ratcliffe’s claims, Burnham said no public funding would be granted for the stadium itself.
How will Man United fund new stadium?
United have now revealed the proposed redevelopment of Old Trafford will be financed privately.
The club added that ‘positive conversations’ have already been held with potential investors and stakeholders.
At the latest fans’ forum, a United spokesperson said: “Our proposed new stadium will be financed privately, and we continue to have positive conversations with potential investors and all stakeholders.”
The plans to fund the project privately could see the club’s already mounting debts sky-rocket, though.
According to the Red Devils’ latest financial figures released in February, their debts are currently close to £1.3billion.
With the planned stadium project expected to cost £2billion, that figure could rise to £3.3billion.
Selling the naming rights to their new ground could fetch as much as £200million, though.
Meanwhile, it is unclear whether the previously revealed timeframe for the new stadium’s completion remains in place.
Ratcliffe had been hopeful that the venue would be able to open by 2030 after unveiling the plans last year.
United’s target date for their new stadium also came with plans to host the final of the 2035 Women’s World Cup.
The 12th staging of the tournament will be held in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales in nine years time.
Old Trafford is not being used for Euro 2028, which will take place during the planned redevelopment work.
The men’s tournament is being hosted by England, Republic of Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
United’s vision for their home comes after several instances of fans spotting water leaking through the roof during heavy rainfall in recent years.
It has been two decades since the ground was last redeveloped following the addition of 8,000 seats in 2006.
Those changes saw the capacity increase to 74,244 fans at Old Trafford, which has been United’s home since it opened 116 years ago.
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