How the Old Trafford cost compares to recent NFL stadium builds
Manchester United has continued to struggle with Old Trafford, and the ownership is pondering the construction of a new stadium. This would mean the Red Devils would move out of the venue that has been their home since 1910. However, it would be a solution to a stadium that has fallen into disrepair. The infamous Old Trafford waterfall and complaints about the raised pitch are just some of the reasons owners want a new stadium.
Additionally, other sides in England and Europe have either built new venues or completely revamped existing stadiums. Arsenal, Tottenham and Manchester City have three lavish stadiums. Meanwhile, Real Madrid completed its remodel of the Santiago Bernabeu and Barcelona is renovating Camp Nou into a 105,000-seat stadium.
That has piqued the interest of Manchester United executives, who want the Red Devils to have a stadium with a capacity of over 100,000. Sir Jim Ratcliffe prefers building a stadium from scratch compared to renovating Old Trafford. The fiscal reason and opportunity of a new stadium make more sense for a task force pondering the future of the club’s hallowed ground. Yet, a new stadium would, unsurprisingly, come at a major cost.
A new report indicates a new stadium for Manchester United would cost the club over $2.5 billion. However, the argument for building a new stadium centers around the fact that it would bolster the fan experience in the stadium and around it. The task force working on the future of Old Trafford identified SoFi Stadium as an example. Los Angeles’ newest stadium built retail shops and restaurants in the area, helping the residential area of Inglewood greatly transform. Trafford, the borough of Manchester with the stadium, can benefit from the same general growth that SoFi Stadium exhibited.
New Manchester United stadium to be more expensive than comparable NFL venues
SoFi Stadium may be an example to look to in terms of growth, but part of its success comes from its cost. SoFi Stadium cost $5.5 billion, and it will host different sports and events. In addition to massive concerts, SoFi Stadium will host the Olympics in 2028. The potential for so many sporting events makes the price tag make sense. By comparison, Old Trafford would be the home of Manchester United, and largely not much else. Concerts and potential games involving the England men’s and women’s teams would be one area of revenue. Beyond that, Manchester United would drive the stadium’s success.
That is not to say it is an issue, as Manchester United has a massive lead over other Premier League clubs when it comes to matchday revenue. Having a lavish stadium with more seats would draw more people in. Therefore, that matchday revenue grows.
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It is not hard for Sir Jim Ratcliffe to justify an expensive new stadium to replace Old Trafford. Regardless, this new edition of Old Trafford would vastly exceed similar projects in the United States. Excluding SoFi Stadium’s extravagance, four NFL teams debuted new stadiums or are going to in the coming years. Nashville, Buffalo, Atlanta and Las Vegas gave their NFL teams new stadiums, with each costing at most $2.1 billion. Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, one of the most luxurious stadiums in the world, was $1.9 billion. Mercedes-Benz Stadium was $1.7 billion. It will host games at both the Copa America and World Cup by 2026’s end.
If it decides to build a new stadium, Manchester United will have to work with haste to avoid more issues with the current edition of Old Trafford. Even if it will not host games at Euro 2028, Old Trafford has the potential to be the best stadium in England.
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