‘Makes sense’, ‘we are growing in numbers’ – Man City fans react as Etihad Stadium set to become Premier League’s third biggest stadium

Manchester City have announced plans to expand the Etihad Stadium’s capacity to hold around 60,000 spectators.

The Premier League champions want to add at least an extra 5,000 seats in order to become the division’s third biggest stadium and qualify to host a Champions League final in future by reaching UEFA’s strict capacity quota.

City’s stadium already holds over 55,000, but the club have had planning permission to carry out the work since adding an extra tier to their South Stand in 2015. The project is now thought to have shot up the to-do list.

While City have been no strangers to splashing the cash in big deals for players in recent years, the work is set to prove expensive – especially if they intend to add a hotel to the site.

There is no set time-frame in which the work needs to be completed and with construction of the Co-op Live Arena next door ongoing, City are keen to wait until the culmination of that project, set for December 2023.

Several options have been suggested for how to increase the capacity, such as joining together the two ends behind both goals, as well as combining tiers in the stadium to create space for 5,000 or so extra spectators.

Another intention is to increase the number of corporate facilities at the stadium and the club are thought to be exploring methods of doing so.

Despite City’s stature in the English game, the Etihad Stadium’s capacity is less than venues such as Anfield and Old Trafford, with Liverpool also developing their ground to increase the capacity to around 60,000.

Manchester City have regularly been made the subject of jokes from other fans for the number of empty seats at the Etihad on matchdays.

However, the club saw season ticket sales rise to 36,500 this season, with the Etihad set to operate at 99% capacity over the coming campaign following Pep Guardiola’s unprecedented success in winning four league titles in six years.

The news was shared on Twitter by City Xtra and it attracted plenty of attention from the club’s supporters.

“Finally! Let’s go!! 💙”
Credit: @Precious_Adex

“Anyone that actually knows city knows there’s a mad waiting list for season tickets and things so it makes sense”
Credit: @NathanBaker110

“That’s great idea because Man City fans are growing in numbers 💪”
Credit: @blerkview

“Hopefully gives us more chance to get a season ticket now.”
Credit: @MCFC_LEO

“We’re going to win our first Champions League at our own ground aren’t we?”
Credit: @omarlaska21

“I suppose its one way of bringing the Champions league trophy to the Etihad?”
Credit: @MainStandULTRAS

“Me & Nicola were walking around our local park yesterday and it was mad seeing how many kids were wearing City shirts. Absolutely out numbered any other side by some way. City shirts everywhere these days. Kids wanna be Haaland/KDB etc. This defo will be the right call long term.”
Credit: @StevenMcinerney

“Emptyhad jokes gonna be wildin now”
Credit: @pepsburner