Manchester United reveal 100,000-seat stadium plans at heart of £7.3bn Trafford Wharfside district

Manchester United have unveiled detailed plans for a new 100,000-seat stadium to be built 350 metres from the current Old Trafford ground, anchoring a sweeping regeneration scheme for the surrounding Trafford Wharfside area.

The proposed venue will serve as the flagship landmark of what the club is calling a Stadium District, sitting at the core of a broader masterplan that includes 15,000 new homes, 48,000 local jobs, and upgraded public transport, rail, walking, and cycling infrastructure. Economists estimate the completed development could contribute £7.3bn per year to the UK economy.

Collette Roche, CEO of the new stadium development, described the publication of the Wharfside Masterplan as “another significant milestone” in the project. “Together with our partners, we have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to deliver a destination that creates lasting benefits for supporters, local communities and the wider region for decades to come,” she said.

Roche added that the site’s proximity to the existing ground was a deliberate choice, allowing the club to “preserve the heritage, traditions and matchday rituals that are so important to our supporters, while also providing the connectivity and infrastructure required to deliver a truly world-class fan experience.”

Trafford Council leader Coun Tom Ross welcomed the masterplan, framing it as the start of a lengthy consultation and planning process. “We want to create a great place to be, not just on matchdays but every day,” he said, adding that residents and businesses would be invited to shape the vision through a forthcoming public consultation.

The development’s name is understood to be a nod to the area’s industrial and shipping heritage. No construction timeline or planning application date has been confirmed at this stage.