Manchester United have confirmed the site of their proposed 100,000-seat stadium. Trafford Council’s Wharfside Masterplan, published on Thursday, places the new ground about 350 metres north-west of Old Trafford.
The announcement is significant for more than just the stadium's location. Once completed, the new ground would become the largest football stadium in the United Kingdom and the centrepiece of a much wider regeneration project rather than a standalone development.
The wider regeneration project spans 150 hectares around the existing stadium and includes housing, transport, and employment projects across Trafford, rather than focusing solely on the football ground.
Where Is Manchester United's New Stadium Located?
The confirmed site lies between John Gilbert Way, Wharfside Way, and Europa Way in Stretford, about 350 metres from Old Trafford. In June, the club secured a 25-acre triangular parcel in that area, meaning the project now has a defined site rather than simply a preferred location.
Old Trafford’s future remains uncertain. The 74,000-capacity stadium has been Manchester United’s home for 115 years, but the club has yet to decide what will happen to it if a new ground opens nearby.
Illustrations released alongside the masterplan depicct a more conventional bowl-shaped stadium, rather than the umbrella-style canopy concept unveiled by Foster + Partners in March 2025. United stressed that the renderings published on Thursday are only illustrative and do not represent the final design.
Collette Roche, chief executive of the club’s stadium development project, framed the announcement in broader terms: “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, transformative district for Trafford and Greater Manchester,” she said.
What The Wharfside Masterplan Includes
Trafford Council published the plan in partnership with several organisations, including the Old Trafford Regeneration Mayoral Development Corporation, the Greater Manchester Combined Authority and Transport for Greater Manchester.
The project’s ambitions extend far beyond football. Council estimates suggest the masterplan could deliver up to 15,000 homes and 48,000 jobs, while contributing an estimated £7.3 billion a year to the UK economy.
Under the plan, the stadium would serve as the centrepiece of a new “Stadium District” intended to attract visitors year-round, not just on matchdays. The proposals also include major transport improvements, with better public transport and rail links, as well as expanded walking and cycling routes across the area.
Trafford Council leader Tom Ross struck a similar note to the club: “We want to create a great place to be, not just on matchdays but every day, and we want as many residents and businesses as possible to help shape this vision through our forthcoming consultation process,” he said.
A formal public consultation now follows Thursday's publication, with further detail on how supporters will be able to feed into the stadium's design still to be announced.
How Manchester United Plan To Build Their £2 Billion Stadium
The stadium is expected to cost about £2 billion and will be funded entirely through private investment, with no public money involved. Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham has previously confirmed that position.
Construction is expected to take around five years once building begins, with United targeting the 2030-31 season as its window for a possible move into the finished ground. The club plans to remain at Old Trafford while work is carried out, avoiding the need for a temporary move elsewhere.
Momentum behind the redevelopment has grown since Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s INEOS group acquired a 27.7 per cent stake in the club. Ratcliffe has repeatedly said he wants a stadium that is instantly recognisable around the world, likening his ambition to iconic landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower.
The publication of the masterplan marks the start of the public consultation phase, following the club’s recent land purchases. However, the final design of the stadium has yet to be decided.
