• Premier League

Manchester City want Etihad expansion

ESPN staff
July 12, 2013
Manchester City want to increase the capacity of the Etihad Stadium by 12,000 seats © PA Photos
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Manchester City have unveiled plans to expand the capacity of the Etihad Stadium so they can accommodate 60,000 fans.

The 2012 Premier League champions aim to add another 12,000 seats at their ground and hope the development will be complete by the start of the 2015-16 season.

It would make the Etihad Stadium the third biggest ground in the Premier League after Manchester United's Old Trafford and Arsenal's Emirates Stadium.

The FA Cup finalists have opened a public consultation period, including an exhibition at the Etihad Stadium, to gauge the reaction of fans and local residents and might submit a planning application by the end of 2013.

But City, who had an average attendance of 46, 974 last season, believe there is the demand for more seats and say this would allow them to introduce a new, cheap £299 season ticket.

There are two elements to City's proposed redevelopment. If they just expand the South Stand by a further 6,000 seats, capacity would go up to 54,000. If they do the same in the North Stand, it would reach 60,000.

Pete Bradshaw, head of infrastructure and corporate responsibility, said: "Manchester City Football Club strives to provide its supporters and visiting fans with one of the best possible matchday experiences in the Premier League and European football.

"Games are selling out frequently prior to going on open sale and there is rising demand from supporters for more season tickets, matchday tickets and premium seating. This is why we are considering these expansion proposals.

"We will be in touch with every fan who would be potentially affected by the changes in phase 1, and we encourage fans, residents and anyone who has a point of view, to visit the exhibition in person or online and tell us what they think."

City are also building a new training complex, the Etihad Campus, next to their stadium

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd
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