Etihad Stadium: capacity, size, events, tickets and legacy

The City of Manchester Stadium better known as Etihad Stadium is the home ground of Premier League club Manchester City. The stadium known for its architectural brilliance gives a gladiatorial colosseum feel. It is quite popular for hosting multiple events apart from football.

The stadium was originally built for athletics during the 2002 Commonwealth Games. After multiple discussions, it was converted into a football stadium. Manchester City made the move to the stadium in 2003. After their takeover in 2008, the club enhanced the glory of the stadium.

Manchester City’s record-breaking exploits made the stadium a well-renowned one across the world. Pep Guardiola’s side have made Etihad Stadium into a fortress and have painted it with their beautiful football. The stadium has seen the Centurions, the Fourmidables and even a Ballon d’Or recently. Today, it is a must-visit stadium for many fans and tourists from around the world.

Let us learn the history of the esteemed Etihad Stadium along with its location, capacity and key events apart from football.

Stadium Name	Etihad Stadium, City of Manchester Stadium
City	Manchester
Area	Ashton New Road
Owner	Manchester City Council & Manchester City
Home to	Manchester City
Capacity	52,900
Pitch Size	105 m length by 68 m width
Major Events	Premier League, Women’s Super League, The FA Cup, The EFL Cup, UEFA Euro Cup, 2005 UEFA Women’s Euro, UEFA Euros, Commonwealth Games, Rugby World Cup, Music Concerts, Super League Magic Weekend

Also Read: Santiago Bernabeu Stadium: Capacity, Size, Events, Tickets and Legacy

Introduction

Overview of Etihad Stadium

The City of Manchester Stadium is the home of the Premier League team Manchester City. It is the 7^th-largest football stadium in England and the 11^th-largest in the United Kingdom. The stadium was initially built to host the 2002 Commonwealth Games. The athletics events were held there and the stadium earned praise worldwide thanks to its marvellous architecture.

The stadium earned a surplus from the events and it prompted the Manchester City Council and Sport England to repurpose the stadium after the games. After striking deals with multiple parties, the redevelopment plans were underway. Manchester City took a lease of the stadium and moved there in the summer of 2003.

Ever since then, the stadium’s lore increased with every milestone Manchester City achieved. It also became an important venue for concerts, marriages and non-football events.

Location of Etihad Stadium

There have been many plans for the construction of the City of Manchester Stadium since the late 1980s. Multiple locations were discussed but finally, a brownfield location of Bradford Colliery was chosen.

The Bradford Colliery was an abandoned coal mine by the late 1900s. Its proximity to the Manchester City Centre prompted the constructors to pick the site up for the location. The area was colloquially known as Eastlands and some in Manchester still refer to the stadium by that name.

Etihad Stadium

Construction and Opening of Etihad Stadium

Manchester City Council planned to build a new stadium in Manchester as part of the city’s bid to host the 1996 Summer Olympics. The bid was rejected. Another plan was launched to host the 2000 Summer Olympics and it failed to materialize too. Finally, the city council got their wish granted as they were awarded the hosting rights of the 2002 Commonwealth Games.

Plans were made to make it an exclusive stadium for athletic events at the Commonwealth Games. It would make it one of a kind and exclusive athletics stadium in all of England.

Laing Construction was the builder of the project. Arup designed and engineered the project. Their plans were ambitious especially when it came to the roof. Their design incorporated a toroidal-shaped cable-stayed roof structure supported entirely by twelve exterior masts and cables. The design of the roof was described as “ground-breaking” by New Steel Construction magazine.

Arup also specified how they wanted the stadium to be “atmospheric” with good sightlines and wanted it to be an “intimate and intimidating gladiatorial arena fit for a football club”. They planned to lay the pitch six metres below the ground level just like the Roman gladiatorial arena.

Emphasis was made on attention to detail, the most overlooked aspect of stadium design. They designed cigar-shaped roof supports like the San Siro with blue lighting beacons. Rainwater gutters were sculpted to give a vintage feel. They blended technology by building the roof with polycarbonate perimeter edging and openable louvres to aid pitch grass growth. Optimal roof angles were provided for the grass to grow naturally.  

The stadium post its inauguration won plenty of laurels and awards. The 2004 Royal Institute of British Architects Inclusive Design Award was a standout. So was the 2003 Institution of Structural Engineers Structural Special Award. In 20022, it was awarded a BCI Major Project high commendation by the British Construction Industry. Even as recently as 2014, it was declared one of the UK’s five most iconic structures by the Construction Industry Training Board.

The much-awaited construction finally started in 1999 when Prime Minister Tony Blair laid the foundation stone in 1999. Laing Construction constructed the stadium at an approximate cost of £112 million. Sport England covered £77 million of the project cost and Manchester City Council covered the rest.

For the Commonwealth Games, the stadium featured a single lower tier of seating around three sides of the athletics track and second tiers to two sides with an open-air temporary stand at the northern end.

Queen Elizabeth II declared the Commonwealth Games open in her speech on 25 July 2002 and inaugurated the City of Manchester Stadium. The stadium hosted the track and field events and all the rugby seven matches. It was the biggest multi-sports event in the UK after the 1948 Summer Olympics till the 2012 Summer Olympics eclipsed it. The event is still the largest Commonwealth Games in history featuring 72 nations and 281 events across seventeen sports.

After successful athletic events at the Commonwealth Games, conversion into a football venue was criticised by Jonathan Edwards and Sebastian Coe as the UK lacked a large athletics venue. Arup believed that maintaining rarely used Athletics-only stadiums would be hard to maintain. To avoid creating a problem, Sport England insisted City Council and Manchester City FC provide funding for the conversion and start the work immediately.

Manchester City were on the hunt for a new stadium as they decided to move away from Maine Road. The availability of a brand new world-class stadium in their vicinity turned their head. They signed a 250-year lease with the city council to move to the stadium. They leased it on a “fully repairing basis”. All operating, maintenance and future capital costs are borne by the club and they receive all the revenues from the stadium.

Despite the initial lack of funds, after convincing from Arup about the long-term sustainability of football stadiums, both councils agreed to invest. Sections of the track were removed and relaid at other athletics venues. The internal ground level was lowered to make way for an additional tier of seating. The temporary stands were dismantled and permanent structures were erected in their stead.

Manchester City Council spent £22 million for the development of track, pitch and seating conversion. The incoming Manchester City spent £20 million to develop bars, restaurants and corporate entertainment areas. The total redevelopment took a year and the stadium was ready for the start of the 2003-04 season.

Manchester City played its first public football match on 10 August 2003 at the stadium against FC Barcelona. They made their competitive debut in a UEFA Cup match with Welsh Side TNS. They spent 4 years in mediocrity before being revived by the new ownership.

After the Abu-Dhabi-based City Football Group took over in 2008, Manchester City became one of the wealthiest clubs in the world. The new ownership renegotiated its 250-year lease with the city council in October 2010. They gained the naming rights and renamed it to Etihad Stadium in July 2011 as part of a ten-year agreement with team kit sponsors Etihad Airways.

In the same year, they also signed an agreement with the city council to allow a £1 billion redevelopment led by architect Rafael Vinoly. They expanded stands regularly and undertook a massive expansion plan in 2023 making it the fourth-largest stadium in England by the start of the 2025/26 season.

Features of Etihad Stadium

The stadium was not only an architectural marvel but it was also a smooth and well-run one. The stadium has the best facilities for players and match officials in basement areas below the west stand. It has a massive kitchen that can provide meals to up to 6,000 people on matchdays. The press rooms, ground staff storage and recovery rooms for players are all world-class.

The stadium’s roof needs no special introduction. The interior comprises a continuous oval bowl with three tiers of seating at the sides and two tiers at each end. The stadium has contactless smart card entry and provides a smooth entry to patrons. Once inside, the fans can access six themed restaurants with a view of the pitch and 70 executive hospitality boxes.

The stadium has one of the best pitches in England and has won the best pitch award in 2010-11. After the original pitches were damaged severely due to concerts, the new management stepped in to fix the issue. They reinforced natural grass with artificial fibres made by Desso and created an optimal pitch for the players. They also made specialised drainage and under-pitch heating for the natural growth of grass.

The stadium is accessible with multiple elevators and special accessible boxes in multiple stands. The stewards are extremely helpful and warm. The club won two VisitFootball awards for providing the best and warm welcome to the fans along with the gold standard matchday experience. 

Etihad Stadium Capacity and Field Size

Etihad Stadium’s capacity has changed plenty of times throughout its history. It was designed for only 41,000 people during the 2002 Commonwealth Games. A permanent stand was erected after it was converted into a football stadium. It welcomed a maximum crowd of 48,000 for its first-ever football game.

Higher attendance prompted the management to keep expanding the stadium as they extended the South Stand by adding a third tier. It now has an official capacity of 52,900 for football games. Once the planned renovation takes place, it can host 61,470 people on a matchday. It will become one of the top 5 largest football stadiums in England by then.

For music concerts, the stadium can accommodate up to 60,000. The pitch surface is made of Desso GrassMaster and it is 105 metres long by 68 metres wide according to the Premier League specifications.

Key Football Events at Etihad Stadium

Manchester City

The stadium has been the new home of Manchester City since 2003. The Blues were a midtable club till their eventual takeover in 2008. The stadium was called the City of Manchester Stadium before the new owners from the Middle East swooped in. They paid for the naming rights and turned it into today’s iconic Etihad Stadium.

The success on the pitch was unparalleled. The team won its first Premier League title dramatically in the last minute against QPR in 2012 leading to a pitch invasion by the fans. Pep Guardiola’s managerial reign saw multiple legendary moments like that. They won 55/57 home points at Etihad. Became the first Premier League side to achieve 100 points. They won their first Champions League title in 2023 to complete a fantastic treble.

In 2024, they became the first-ever English side to win the first division four consecutive times and became the Fourmidables. Rodri, the defensive midfielder won the Ballon d’Or in 2024 and brought it to Etihad Stadium for the first time.

It has also hosted some iconic Champions League games against Real Madrid and Liverpool. The stadium often mocked online for not selling out has one of the best atmospheres on European matchdays right from the start when Blue Moon belts out. It will serve the best team in the land for years to come.   

International Tournaments

Etihad Stadium hosted several major football matches in addition to Manchester City’s home games. It became the 15^th stadium to host an England international match in 2004. England played Japan and drew 1-1. Etihad Stadium also competed with other stadiums to be the new home of the England National Team before the New Wembley Stadium opened in 2007.

The stadium also hosted England’s opening match of the UEFA Women’s Championship in June 2005. One of the most memorable games was back in 2008 when it played host to the UEFA Cup Final. Zenit Saint Petersburg defeated Rangers 2-0 to lift the trophy.

In a rare scenario, the stadium hosted the Conference National play-off final between AFC Wimbledon and Luton Town. The game was supposed to take place in Wembley. But the 2011 UEFA Champions League final was scheduled there shortly after and hence Etihad Stadium hosted the event.

 

Tickets and Pricing

How to buy Etihad Stadium Tickets

Etihad Stadium’s official tickets are available on Manchester City’s official website. The club has tickets divided from all stands into various categories or tiers. Separate prices are available according to each group.

For a more lavish matchday experience, fans can always purchase hospitality tickets at a premium price. The club offers a host of hospitality experiences to choose from thanks to its number of premium boxes and on-site fine dining restaurants. They are also excellently themed to provide the best experience for the fans.

Overview of Etihad Stadium Ticket Prices

Stand	Tier	Age Category	Matchday Ticket Prices (in £)
Colin Bell Stand/East Stand/South Stand/ Family Stand	1	Junior	56.25
		Young Adult	55
		Adult	75
		Over 65	55
		65+	547
Colin Bell Stand/East Stand/South Stand/ Family Stand	2	Junior	35
		Young Adult	45
		Adult	65
		Over 65	45
Colin Bell Stand/East Stand/South Stand/ Family Stand	3	Junior	32
		Young Adult	42
		Adult	60
		Over 65	42
South Stand Upper	4	Junior	30
		Young Adult	40
		Adult	58
		Over 65	40

 

Visiting Etihad Stadium 

How to reach Etihad Stadium

The stadium is just 2km east of Manchester City Centre and is easily accessible by a 20-minute walk. Manchester Piccadilly railway station is also a similar distance away by foot and the walkway is a well-lit signposted route supervised by stewards.

The stadium is also accessible by East Manchester Line trams. Ashton-under-Lyne and Etihad Campus tram stops are close to the northern side of the stadium. The Velopoark tram stop covers the southern and eastern sides. The stadium is well connected by almost all bus lines serving the Greater Manchester Area.

The stadium also has ample parking spaces for private vehicles. The use of bicycles is encouraged with separate parking spaces. Accessible parking lots are also available making the stadium a friendly venue for everyone.

Guided Tours: Exploring Etihad Stadium

Manchester City provides fans with the opportunity to take a stroll through the famous stadium. They give visitors access to the tunnel, dressing rooms and panoramic views of the ground from above. There are plenty of options to choose from for the fans. The tours can be purchased beforehand by the fans from their official website.

The Manchester Stadium Tour on non-matchdays sets an adult back by £26 and an additional £70 for a VIP experience. The club also offers Matchday Pitch Walk Tours for just as little as £20. The fans can walk around the pitch on a matchday and also grab a picture with the official match ball.

The club also offers a unique Walk with a Legend Tour where a Manchester City legend accompanies you throughout the tour and shares their valuable insider stories for £50 per adult.

Nearby Attractions for Football Fans

The statues of club legends Sergio Aguero, Vincent Kompany and David Silva are a must-visit for the fans inside the campus of the stadium.

Etihad Stadium is close to the Manchester city centre. It has famous museums and historic sites all around it. John Rylands Library and Clayton Hall Museum are some of the famous museums and Worsley Delph Monument is a historic bridgewater canal in Salford.

The stadium is also surrounded by famous entertainment spots and pubs. The Dirty Old Town Distillery is one of the best distilleries in Manchester. National Cycling Centre, Parthian Climbing Centre and Flip Out Manchester serve the fans and their adrenaline rush.

Also Read: All You Need To Know About Bramley-Moore Dock Stadium: Capacity, Size, Events, Tickets And Legacy

Etihad Stadium Events Beyond Football

Concerts and Multi-Sport Events

Etihad Stadium was always built as a stadium for multiple purposes. Hosting concerts was always one of the key agendas for the stadium. It always hosts annual summer concerts in the off-season. The stadium was the largest stadium concert venue in England before the new Wembley Stadium was built. There was controversy in 2008 as the concerts damaged the pitch but Manchester City stepped in and renovated the pitch and made it durable so that they could go on scot-free.

• Red Hot Chilli Peppers supported by James Brown was the first concert at Etihad Stadium in 2004.
• Oasis’ concert in 2005 set the attendance record of 60,000 in 2005.
• Popular artists and bands like Beyonce, Spice Girls, Taylor Swift, One Direction and Bon Jovi all performed.
• Liam Gallagher performed in 2022 for his homecoming gig.

 The stadium also hosted rugby events and famous boxing clashes.

• Stockport-born IBO light welterweight champion boxer Ricky Hatton took on Juan Lazcano in “Hatton’s Homecoming” event. Hatton emerged victorious and drew a British record boxing event crowd post World War 2.
• In 2004, it hosted a rugby league international match between Great Britain and Australia.
• England took on Uruguay in their 2015 Rugby World Cup Pool A match at Etihad Stadium.

Conclusion

Scope of Etihad Stadium in future

Etihad Stadium since its inception was a cultural icon. It was heralded for its architectural brilliance before football took over. Manchester City’s eventual move in 2003 and the success streak post-takeover made it a modern-day great stadium. The future is exciting for the stadium as it’s getting another massive revamp.

A £300 million redevelopment programme of North Stand began in April 2023. It will raise the stadium’s capacity to 61,000 and also provide new and improved infrastructure along with added premium options. The expansion plans would most probably be completed before the commencement of the 2025/26 season.

The stadium in its expanded form will host the 2028 Euros. It will be hoping to host some iconic games at the tournament along with some high-profile Champions League clashes. Manchester City will hope to continue their domestic dominance and make it an intimidating place for opponents to visit.