Manchester City officials are working on plans to open Etihad Stadium with an increased capacity of over 60,000 seats at the beginning of 2026.

City aims to enhance matchday atmosphere

The club’s Abu Dhabi owners have invested heavily in Etihad Stadium, its surroundings, and the city of Manchester itself. According to the latest reports, the expanded North Stand is expected to open in January 2026. Danny Wilson, City’s Chief Operating Officer, confirmed this timeline during the Forever Blue podcast, emphasizing that the target will be met if everything proceeds according to schedule.

Fans and visitors can already see the progress in expanding the upper tier, which really highlights the scale of this project and how the additional 3,000 standing places will contribute to an electrifying matchday atmosphere, said Ed Dalton, Manchester City’s Head of Infrastructure Development, as quoted by Manchester Evening News.

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Preparations for one of the largest hotels in the region

A hotel and additional entertainment attractions are also under construction to boost interest in the stadium and strengthen its partnership with the Co-Op Live entertainment venue, which is part of City Football Group (CFG). It has been confirmed that the new hotel at Etihad Stadium will be called The Medlock and will be operated by the global hospitality chain Radisson. The 401-room hotel will include luxury suites, deluxe and standard rooms, and an exclusive penthouse, making it one of the largest hotels in the region.

The opening is planned for late 2026, offering guests access to various restaurants and bars, a stadium rooftop walk, and tours of the new Manchester City Museum. The project will also feature office spaces, a conference zone, and event areas. As part of the prestigious Radisson Blu and Radisson Hotel portfolio, The Medlock will be a four-star hotel managed by the renowned Valor Hospitality.

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