Manchester United have begun work on revamping the dugouts at Old Trafford, after a UEFA rule change forced them to amend both home and away sections this summer.
UEFA rule change triggers construction
United will return to the Champions League next season for the first time since 2023/24, but UEFA has updated its competition guidelines since then, which has meant work being carried out at Old Trafford. There hasn't been a Champions League game at the ground since December 2023, when Erik ten Hag's United lost 1-0 to Bayern Munich and were dumped out of the competition at the group stage.
Since then, UEFA has updated its Stadium Infrastructure Regulations, a draconian document that imposes a lengthy list of demands on clubs playing in the men's Champions League. One of the changes, as detailed in article eight of the new rules, is that stadiums “must be equipped with two team benches located either side of the halfway line, parallel to the touchline, each with seating for at least 20 people and positioned at least 4m from the touchline”.
Dugout capacity increased from 16 to 21 seats
Old Trafford's home and away dugouts previously had only 16 seats, meaning one of the most iconic stadiums in world football had to renovate those areas to secure its return to the Champions League. The new design means both dugouts will now have 21 seats. Previously, there were four seats on the back row, which will now double to eight, while the six seats in the middle row will now become seven. The front row will still have six seats.
Building work on the dugouts is expected to last a couple of weeks.
