Man City Stadium Expansion Approved

Plans to increase the capacity of Manchester City’s Etihad Stadium from 48,000 to about 62,000 have been approved, with work set to be completed by the 2015/16 season.

The expansion would see the former Commonwealth Games’ Stadium become the second largest in the Premier League – behind Manchester United’s Old Trafford – overtaking Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium, Newcastle United’s St James’ Park and Sunderland’s Stadium of Light. 

The Premier League club is adding a third tier to the North and South stands, each including around 6,250 seats, as well as a further 2,000 seats pitch-side.

Councillors gave the go-ahead for the expansion at a Manchester City Council planning committee meeting last week.

City moved to the stadium, initially had a capacity of 38,000, in 2003 following the 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester.