Manchester City celebrating topping out £300m project to create ‘the best stadium in the world’

Manchester City has reached a towering milestone in its bold quest to build the best football stadium in the world.

With the final steel beam now in place, the Club has officially topped out its £300m transformation of the Etihad Stadium — a development that promises to redefine match-day magic and cement East Manchester as a global hub for sport, entertainment and culture.

The topping out ceremony marked the highest structural point of the stadium’s expansion, celebrated on site by Club leaders, construction partner Sisk, local apprentices, and Manchester City Council.

Once complete, the project will boost the stadium’s capacity to over 60,000, introduce a spectacular 3,000-capacity fan zone, and unveil a state-of-the-art museum experience that honours City’s footballing heritage: all part of a vision to create a truly world-class, year-round destination.

What’s happening with the Etihad Stadium?

The development will also see the opening of The Medlock, a 401-room hotel in collaboration with Radisson, as well as a range of food and beverage outlets operating 365 days a year.

Central to the redevelopment is the expansion of the North Stand, which will see the addition of a larger, single upper tier above the existing lower tier.

This design will elevate the stadium’s overall capacity to more than 60,000, providing even more fans with the opportunity to witness the magic of Manchester City live on the pitch.

The proposed all-weather facilities, seamlessly integrated into the stadium, will form the heart of the new Etihad experience.

Man City’s 3000-capacity fan zone

Visitors and loyal fans alike can look forward to a covered City Square fan zone, boasting a generous capacity for 3,000 people and an incredible array of food and drink outlets.

The City Square will undoubtedly become the focal point of pre and post-match celebrations.

As if that wasn’t enough, Manchester City is sparing no expense in ensuring its fans get the royal treatment.

Plans for a new club shop and museum will immerse supporters in the club’s history and achievements.

A particularly exciting feature of the redevelopment is the sky bar, poised above the upper tier of the North Stand.

Offering sweeping views of the pitch, this exclusive venue will allow fans to enjoy a match-day experience like no other, combining exhilarating football action with the allure of a high-class establishment.

The Etihad Stadium roof walk

For those seeking more than just a match-day thrill, the stadium roof walk experience promises to be a highlight.

Imagine strolling atop the Etihad Stadium roof, a bird’s-eye view of the pitch below, and the sheer exhilaration of being immersed in the heart of Manchester City’s footballing heritage.

Not stopping at football-focused amenities, Manchester City has planned for a 400-bed hotel within the stadium premises.

The hotel will cater to fans and visitors alike, offering a premium stay in the heart of the action.

Coupled with workspace facilities, this development will provide ample opportunities for business and leisure travellers to embrace the energy of the city.

Topping out at the Etihad Stadium

Club representatives were joined at the topping out event by apprentices working on the development, construction partner, Sisk, and Leader of Manchester City Council, Bev Craig, who all signed a commemorative piece of artwork which will later be permanently installed within the Club’s new museum.

The completed development will bring hundreds of new full-time and part-time jobs, as well as additional casual roles, to create lasting long-term economic and social benefits for the Club’s local community, building on the Council’s and Club’s shared priorities for the regeneration of East Manchester.

The North Stand itself will open during the 2025/26 football season, with the hotel, workspace, food and beverage outlets and the Club’s fan zone, opening in late 2026.

These new facilities will sit alongside the 23,500-capacity Co-op Live arena – a joint venture between City Football Group and Oak View Group.

Commenting on the topping out ceremony, City Football Group, Chief Operating Officer, Roel de Vries, said: “This is a proud moment for Manchester City and for everyone involved in the Club’s project to create a year-round entertainment destination at the Etihad Campus.

“The delivery of this project will enable us to enhance and expand our offering to our fans and visitors, both on matchday and non-matchday and create lasting long-term economic and social benefits for our local community, building on the regeneration work City Football Group has delivered in East Manchester since 2008.”

Manchester City Council Leader, Bev Craig

Leader of Manchester City Council, Cllr Bev Craig, said: “This is a major infrastructure investment which will create and support hundreds of jobs, adding to the remarkable regeneration of East Manchester in which the club has played a constructive role.

“It’s great to see this construction milestone reached. It means it won’t be long before those benefits for the city and the community start to be realised.”

You can find out more about the topping-out ceremony by clicking here

You can find out more about the topping out ceremony by clicking here