Manchester United are still planning to move into a 100,000-seater stadium and Ineos must learn from others’ mistakes.
There have been slight delays to Manchester United’s stadium progress due to ongoing negotiations to purchase land around Old Trafford.
Supporters were initially told that work on the stadium would begin in 2025, but we are now early in 2026 and there is yet to be any progress.
Man Utd’s new stadium plans, what we know right now
- Set to be complete by 2030/31 season
- Expected cost around £2 billion
- Old Trafford set to be demolished
- Expected to create 92,000 new jobs, 17,000 new homes and drive 1.8 million visitors annually
- Capacity of 100,000 with steepest stands allowable in UK (35 degree angle)
- Munich clock and other iconic club landmarks set to be included in new design
Regardless, Ineos insist plans to construct a new stadium are still very much in place. The new stadium is set to cost £2 billion, so there is plenty of work to do around funding the build.
A recent report claims that United can sell naming rights for £175m or more, but Ineos must be wary of the mistake that Tottenham made.
Man United must avoid Tottenham greed over stadium deal
Selling naming rights to the stadium will be an attractive opportunity to commercial partners, especially as United’s venue will be the biggest in England and crowded with state-of-the-art facilities.
Currently, the most expensive naming rights deal in club football belongs to Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium, which earns £12.5 million per year in a long-term deal.
United’s naming rights value is predicted to come in at around £17.5 million per year, but Ineos could hold out for more.
Should Manchester United sell the naming rights to their new stadium?
Manchester United could earn as much as £17.5m per year if they sell the naming rights of their 100,000-seater stadium…
That is a risky move, though, as Daniel Levy and Tottenham found out after building their new stadium in 2019.
As per The Sun, Tottenham chairman Levy was holding out for a naming rights deal of £25 million per year for their new venue.
But ultimately, he failed to get a deal over the line and now the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium has become the household name for the ground. Spurs forfeited a huge deal because they set their expectations too high.
Naming rights deal will be controversial for Man United fans
While a naming rights deal will be hugely financially beneficial to the club, it also risks angering an already frustrated fanbase.
Old Trafford has become the spiritual and physical home of Manchester United, and its name alone has become synonymous with success.
READ MORE: Wes Brown says he’s spotted a ‘problem’ with Man Utd’s new stadium before it’s even been built
The new United stadium is yet to be named, although many have referred to it as “New Trafford”. But a naming rights deal means fans could be turning up to the Apple Arena or Google Stadium, and that likely will not go down well with supporters who cherish United’s history.
Ineos have a big call to make, and the £2 billion cost of the stadium will need to be covered somehow.
from United In Focus https://ift.tt/mZIjsO2