- Club confirm special Etihad event
- Fans set to access expanded area
- Aston Villa game could test full capacity
Manchester City have officially announced the first public event set to take place inside the expanded North Stand at the Etihad Stadium later in May.
Man City started redeveloping the Etihad Campus in autumn 2023, planning to expand the North Stand at their home stadium.
The City Council approved the project later in 2023. Almost three years later, the Sky Blues have announced the first public opening of the expanded North Stand.
The plan is to open the stand in phases with the hospitality area, the fan zone and the Medlock Square Development, subject to a later launch.
Manchester City to host first fan event in expanded North Stand
In the first phase of the opening, the Citizens have announced a fan event in the expanded North Stand, which will take place on the 20th of May.
However, it is subject to an initial internal check and will operate at 50% capacity during the event. The expanded stand’s full capacity is 7,000, which means 3,500 fans will be able to enjoy the show before the Aston Villa clash.
The event is set for two hours between 6 pm and 8 pm. Tickets will go on sale tomorrow, Friday, 1st May at 2 pm.
Aston Villa clash could become next major test
If the event is successful, City plans to open the stand at full capacity for the final game of the season. The Carabao Cup winners face Aston Villa on the 24th of May, marking an end to the 2025/26 campaign.
The expansion is set to increase Etihad Stadium’s capacity by about 13%, helping it cross the 60,000 mark, up from 53,400.
Now, the Etihad will be just short of 11 seats to equal Celtic Park. The Scottish club’s stadium ranks 10th by capacity in the country.
Manchester City aim to break attendance record
The record attendance for a Man City home game was back in 2016. The Carabao Cup winners played Leicester City in the Premier League, losing 3-1 to the Foxes.
Riyad Mahrez scored the last goal for the visitors in a game that saw 54,693 attendance, a record that still stands.
City and Arsenal play their last game simultaneously on the 24th. With the Carabao Cup winners still in the title race, they’ll be hoping to win the league on the same day they break the attendance record.
