British studio Foster + Partners has unveiled designs for a stadium covered by ‘a vast umbrella’ for Manchester United, which will become the largest stadium in the UK. Part of the regeneration of the Old Trafford area in Manchester, the 100,000 seat stadium will be built next to the football club’s current Old Trafford stadium, which has a capacity of 74,197.
Once completed, the Foster + Partners designed stadium will surpass Wembley Stadium, which currently holds the title of the UK’s largest football stadium with a capacity of 90,000. Renderings of the design show the stadium enveloped in Manchester United’s signature red colour and covered by a tent-like structure that extends over public outdoor spaces.
The new stadium will be located next to the iconic Old Trafford, which has been Manchester United’s home for 115 years. Foster + Partners’ design aims to enhance the experience for football fans, offering improved views of the pitch and better acoustics.
The tent-like structure, referencing Manchester United’s trident emblem, will be supported by three large masts. The design is set to be completed in five years, with prefabricated elements being transported via the Manchester Ship Canal, a waterway linking Manchester to the Irish Sea.
Foster + Partners’ stadium will feature world-class facilities, aiming to make it one of the best football venues globally, while also honouring the site’s historical significance. The broader regeneration of the Old Trafford area is expected to create 92,000 jobs and 17,000 new homes.
