Sports
Man Utd’s New Stadium Included in UK’s 2035 World Cup Bid
Manchester United’s new £4.2 billion stadium has been included in the UK’s “once in a lifetime” World Cup bid. Built on a site adjacent to the iconic Old Trafford, the stadium was initially expected to be part of the country’s bid for the 2028 European Championship hosting rights. However, with concerns over whether the venue would be ready in time, the Red Devils’ ambitious hierarchy are now looking further into the future.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe and co. already own the largest stadium in English club football, but the plan for the new venue is to accommodate 100,000 spectators, which would make it the sixth-largest football stadium in the world. While a canopy was originally planned, there has been considerable debate over the final design. See what the current plans look like below:
Needless to say, Man United’s new stadium is expected to be one of the best in the world. An upgrade in facilities is desperately needed, as Old Trafford currently shows significant wear and tear, particularly with its leaky roof. The new stadium would make an attractive feature in any international tournament bid, and there are already plans to leverage it as a key selling point.
New Man United Stadium Set to Be Key to 2035 Women’s World Cup Bid
Should the United Kingdom’s bid for the 2035 Women’s World Cup prove to be successful, it would be the largest single-sport event ever held in the country and staged across 22 stadiums in England, Northern Ireland, Wales and Scotland. The 48-team tournament is projected to have 4.5 million tickets on sale as well as attract a global audience of 3.5 billion.
The bid has full Government backing, is currently unopposed and could get the go-ahead next year. England FA chief executive Mark Bullingham said, as per The Mirror:
“We believe this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for everyone.”
England won the World Cup the last time the men’s tournament was hosted in 1966, and the Lionesses have enjoyed huge success under Sarina Wiegman, winning the last two European Championships. The victorious home Euros, staged in 2022, are still remembered as a turning point for the women’s game, and a joint bid would have a similar effect across the UK, providing a major boost for sport.
Also among the 22 stadiums listed as potential host venues include Wrexham’s Racecourse Ground, Hampden Park in Glasgow and Easter Road in Edinburgh, while Windsor Park is Northern Ireland’s sole inclusion. Meanwhile, Birmingham City’s ‘Powerhouse Stadium’, which has been mooted as a potential long-term home for the Lionesses, also features.
Man United Release Statement Amid 2035 World Cup Talk
United’s chief operating officer, Collette Roche, said: “We are proud to be part of the rich sporting and cultural fabric of Trafford, and the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2035 is a brilliant opportunity for us to showcase our home to the rest of the world. Our ambition is to build a new 100,000-seater stadium fit to host the biggest international football games.”
The proposed dates for the World Cup are June 21 to July 29, and the Football Association is confident it has the facilities, transport network and legal guarantees to stage a successful tournament, which is said to be eight-times bigger than the 2022 European Championship.
