Manchester United reveal site for new 100,000-seat stadium at heart of £7.3bn Wharfside district

Manchester United have identified a site for their proposed new 100,000-seat stadium, confirming it will sit approximately 350 metres north-west of the existing Old Trafford ground as the flagship landmark of a major regeneration scheme for the Trafford Wharfside area.

The announcement, made on Thursday, came alongside the publication of an ambitious masterplan by Trafford Council covering 150 hectares of land around the stadium site. United said the mixed-use development has the potential to deliver a £7.3bn annual boost to the UK economy.

The new ground has been designated the centrepiece of what planners are calling a ‘Stadium District’ — a broader vision for Wharfside that the council describes as “a network of attractive neighbourhoods in which to live, work, wander and explore.” The scheme is projected to create 48,000 local jobs and 15,000 new homes.

Infrastructure forms a significant part of the plan, with new and improved public transport links, enhanced rail connectivity, and extensive walking and cycling provision all included in the proposals.

Councillor Tom Ross, Leader of Trafford Council, said: “We want to create a great place to be, not just on matchdays but every day.”

Despite the scale of the announcement, United stressed that no decision has yet been made regarding the future of the existing Old Trafford stadium, which has served as the club’s home since 1910. A public consultation process is now set to open, giving local residents and stakeholders the opportunity to respond to the masterplan before any formal planning steps are taken.