Man Utd Unveils Official Timeline for Revolutionary Record-Breaking Stadium
Manchester United have announced their intention to complete their new 100,000-capacity stadium in time for the 2035 Women's World Cup matches.
The redesigned Old Trafford, aptly named 'New Trafford,' was among 22 facilities featured in Britain's joint tournament bid submitted this week. England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are currently the sole candidates vying to host what would be the competition's 12th edition.
Birmingham City's planned new venue—whose designs faced online criticism recently due to the distinctive towers around its perimeter—was also included in the stadium proposals.
"Based on the preliminary blueprints, they have tremendous potential," stated Mark Bullingham, English Football Association chief executive, to the media. "Should these facilities be constructed, we would naturally want them featured in the tournament, making it appropriate to consider the nation's finest stadiums when looking ahead a decade."
United's chief operating officer Collette Roche stated: "We aim to construct a new 100,000-capacity stadium capable of hosting the most prestigious international football matches. This forms part of broader redevelopment plans for the Old Trafford vicinity, delivering extensive benefits to the local community, Greater Manchester and the wider region."
Should United fail to meet this revised schedule, "Old Trafford in its existing state" would remain suitable for hosting matches.
The home venues of Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur were also featured—though Liverpool's Anfield was excluded—alongside the national stadium Wembley.
Nevertheless, if Sir Jim Ratcliffe's vision for his proposed "Wembley of the North" materializes, New Trafford would surpass the country's traditional football headquarters in size.
Man Utd's Postponed Stadium Launch
Ratcliffe presented his ambitious Old Trafford vision last March. The club's prominent co-owner boldly declared it would become the "world's finest football stadium" and compared the unconventional 'circus-tent' architecture to a renowned European landmark.
"The Eiffel Tower serves as an excellent illustration," he reflected earlier this year. "The Eiffel Tower is globally recognized: visitors come to Paris, stay in Paris, spend money there. With one billion Manchester United supporters worldwide, I believe every football enthusiast globally will desire to experience Old Trafford."
During the original announcement, reports widely indicated United targeted occupying their new facility before the 2030–31 campaign—five years earlier than the current World Cup deadline.
Following the initial Foster + Partners designs release, tangible progress has been limited. Nevertheless, the club has pursued securing U.K. government financial support for their broader Manchester area investment strategy.
Additional funding would be valuable for a venture expected to reach £2 billion ($2.6 billion). Particularly given their new deadline pressure.