Manchester United have confirmed that their new 100,000-seater stadium will be built on land recently purchased from Indurent, situated approximately 350 metres away from Old Trafford. The announcement was made on Tuesday as part of the Wharfside Strategic Masterplan, which outlines the vision for a new Stadium District centred around the state-of-the-art venue.
Stadium to anchor a transformative district
The new ground will serve as the centrepiece of what is being called a Stadium District, designed for sport, entertainment and year-round activity. It will be the flagship landmark of the wider Trafford Wharfside development, which includes plans for improved public transport links, enhanced rail connectivity, and extensive walking and cycling infrastructure.
The masterplan envisions a diverse neighbourhood that will create 48,000 local jobs and 15,000 new homes, with the stadium acting as the catalyst. It is estimated that the development could provide a £7.3 billion per year boost to the UK economy.
Preserving heritage while building for the future
Collette Roche, CEO of the new stadium development, said: "The publication of the Wharfside Masterplan marks another significant milestone in our journey to create a new world-class home for Manchester United at the heart of a vibrant and transformational district for Trafford and Greater Manchester."
She added: "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. The proposed stadium site is ideally located alongside Old Trafford, enabling us 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."
Community and fan engagement
Roche emphasised that the club is committed to building the stadium with supporters, not simply for them. "Atmosphere, affordability and accessibility will remain at the heart of our plans, and we look forward to continuing our engagement with fans and other stakeholders as we move into the next phase of design and development," she said.
Cllr Tim Ross, leader of Trafford Council, welcomed the masterplan: "We are delighted to introduce the masterplan which starts a long journey to piece together what could happen where, to bring this world-class cultural and sporting destination to life."
He added: "We want to create a great place to be, not just on matchdays but every day – and we're looking for as many residents and businesses as possible to help us to shape this vision, through our forthcoming consultation process. Wharfside will become a network of attractive neighbourhoods in which to live, work, wander, explore, relax with family, enjoy nature and wildlife, meet friends, eat out, have a drink, shop and be entertained."
Infrastructure and public realm
The masterplan includes new and improved public transport links, enhanced rail connectivity, and extensive walking and cycling infrastructure. The area will feature parks and waterside spaces, housing including affordable options, new health and educational facilities, and joined-up public transport.
While the stadium will not be built on land currently attached to Old Trafford, the club insists it will honour the current ground's history and traditions. Old Trafford's blemishes have been widely publicised in the last five years, and the new stadium aims to address those issues while providing a world-class fan experience.
