Man United push to open £2bn stadium before 2035 Women’s World Cup

Manchester United remain hopeful their new stadium will open before the 2035 Women’s World Cup despite reports of a setback, keeping the club’s long‑term ambitions alive.

Last year United unveiled plans for a 100,000‑capacity venue, branding it the ‘Wembley of the North’. The ambitious design aims to eclipse the current Old Trafford ground, which seats 74,158.

The renovation of the existing Old Trafford stadium has been quoted at £2billion, underscoring the scale of the overall project.

Funding shift and timeline hopes

Initial proposals from INEOS sought public funding, but that avenue has now been ruled out. Instead, the club confirmed in Match that private capital will be sourced for Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s planned stadium.

Stadium development CEO Collette Roche said the club hopes the new stadium will open its doors for the 2032/33 season, signalling an optimistic timetable.

Opening date, potential delay and World Cup ambitions

City AM reported on Wednesday that the build could take ten years without delays, and official documentation points to 2035 as the current opening date. Any postponement would jeopardise United’s aim to host the 2035 Women’s World Cup final.

understands the Red Devils still intend to open the stadium before the event, publicly stating a desire to be chosen ahead of Wembley Stadium for the showpiece clash. England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales will co‑host the tournament in nine years’ time.

In June the club cleared a major hurdle by securing the majority of land required for the new stadium. An official site confirmed the following month, locating the venue 350 metres north‑west of the current Old Trafford ground.

Old Trafford, unchanged since an eight‑thousand‑seat expansion twenty years ago, remains listed as one of 22 proposed venues for the Women’s World Cup, provided the new stadium is completed on schedule.