North Stand expansion - seating, ticketing etc

[Manchester33]

Any updates on the “Prayer Room”?
Can you imagine seeing that at Maine Rd?
Straight out of The Osborne and onto your mat.

I don't particularly think a prayer room is a bad idea. We have a lot of fans from different backgrounds, so why not accomodate them if we can.

I agree that it wouldn't have happened at Maine Road, but I don't think it's a big deal (and might actually encourage more Mancunians to come to the games). Different era now, isn't it? :')

 

[johnnytapia]

I don't particularly think a prayer room is a bad idea. We have a lot of fans from different backgrounds, so why not accomodate them if we can.

I agree that it wouldn't have happened at Maine Road, but I don't think it's a big deal (and might actually encourage more Mancunians to come to the games). Different era now, isn't it? :')

Prayer rooms shouldn’t be anywhere near a football ground. Boozers on the other hand….

 

[Manchester33]

@pride in battle I think it's sensible to have a rational debate on the subject. The final point I'll make though is that 1894 have really heavily considered the North Stand (attending meetings, surveying members and the wider fanbase, test signing sections in different parts of the stadium).

It's really frustrating to be on this forum with one arm tied behind my back due to an NDA.

Unfortunately, because we had to sign an NDA to participate in those discussions, I can't explain some of the really key 'problems' that are preventing 1894 from backing this 100%. What I will say, is that there were issues that we collectively (the voted in board of 1894) believe compromise the North Stand.

I'm equally frustrated because it's a great opportunity. 1894 aren't a horrible organisation that exists to whinge and moan and scupper chances to improve the atmosphere. We're giving up thousands of hours of our free time to try and advocate for fans and to improve the atmosphere. We don't get everything right, but we can only do our best.

You can either respect that or not. Call us what you want - but it is what it is. I truly, truly hope the North Stand creates a brilliant atmosphere at the Etihad - whether 1894 are involved or not.

 

[Manchester33]

Prayer rooms shouldn’t be anywhere near a football ground. Boozers on the other hand….

I dunno - there's this argument of 'can't you go 120 minutes without praying'... It usually comes from the people who can't go 120 minutes without a fag, or a pint, or a line etc...

There are plenty of places to get a beer in the stadium already - it's not an either or thing. We can have both.

Not a hill I'm going to die on - but the club allocating a tiny % of the ground to be more inclusive is a good thing IMO. Live and let live!

 

[Coatigan]

If the Cross Bar is the seats at the front of the 2nd tier then fans have to be moved.

Your and @HelloCity 's logic that the GA+ is moving because the club has suggested that people won't move seats for the cross bar. Coupled with the fact it would be easier to install padded seats in the new section than replace the ones in currently along the front (both completely sensible).

But then you also think that the family section is being relocated to where the GA+ is currently approved.

Would people then not need to move anyway, to make space for the family section?

 

[blueparrot]

@pride in battle I think it's sensible to have a rational debate on the subject. The final point I'll make though is that 1894 have really heavily considered the North Stand (attending meetings, surveying members and the wider fanbase, test signing sections in different parts of the stadium).

It's really frustrating to be on this forum with one arm tied behind my back due to an NDA.

Unfortunately, because we had to sign an NDA to participate in those discussions, I can't explain some of the really key 'problems' that are preventing 1894 from backing this 100%. What I will say, is that there were issues that we collectively (the voted in board of 1894) believe compromise the North Stand.

I'm equally frustrated because it's a great opportunity. 1894 aren't a horrible organisation that exists to whinge and moan and scupper chances to improve the atmosphere. We're giving up thousands of hours of our free time to try and advocate for fans and to improve the atmosphere. We don't get everything right, but we can only do our best.

You can either respect that or not. Call us what you want - but it is what it is. I truly, truly hope the North Stand creates a brilliant atmosphere at the Etihad - whether 1894 are involved or not.

My last point on this (probably ;)) I respect what 1894 do and appreciate the work that goes into it,Im involved in voluntary things outside football and realise how much unnoticed work goes on, and how those outside can criticise the work. I just don’t really understand why 1894 doesn’t remain engaged in keeping the option open, until a final yes or no decision has to be made. As you say though NDA on previous discussions may tie your hands.

 

[pride in battle]

@pride in battle I think it's sensible to have a rational debate on the subject. The final point I'll make though is that 1894 have really heavily considered the North Stand (attending meetings, surveying members and the wider fanbase, test signing sections in different parts of the stadium).

It's really frustrating to be on this forum with one arm tied behind my back due to an NDA.

Unfortunately, because we had to sign an NDA to participate in those discussions, I can't explain some of the really key 'problems' that are preventing 1894 from backing this 100%. What I will say, is that there were issues that we collectively (the voted in board of 1894) believe compromise the North Stand.

I'm equally frustrated because it's a great opportunity. 1894 aren't a horrible organisation that exists to whinge and moan and scupper chances to improve the atmosphere. We're giving up thousands of hours of our free time to try and advocate for fans and to improve the atmosphere. We don't get everything right, but we can only do our best.

You can either respect that or not. Call us what you want - but it is what it is. I truly, truly hope the North Stand creates a brilliant atmosphere at the Etihad - whether 1894 are involved or not.

I appreciate everything you & 1894 do, really fantastic stuff, it just saddens me that the club & yourself can't make it happen :(

 

[BlueMojito]

If we're running short of seats to finish off the North stand there are some white ones being ripped out of Hillsborough! :-) They were the ones that spelt out Chansiri's name. Sad, times for Wednesday fans but at least he's gone now!

 

[wearethesouthstand]

I appreciate everything you & 1894 do, really fantastic stuff, it just saddens me that the club & yourself can't make it happen :(

Takes two to tango though

They want to deal with Citymatters that’s their elected group

 

[wearethesouthstand]

My last point on this (probably ;)) I respect what 1894 do and appreciate the work that goes into it,Im involved in voluntary things outside football and realise how much unnoticed work goes on, and how those outside can criticise the work. I just don’t really understand why 1894 doesn’t remain engaged in keeping the option open, until a final yes or no decision has to be made. As you say though NDA on previous discussions may tie your hands.

We said not onboard with current plans

But that doesn’t mean we wouldn’t talk again if plans changed

They know what they want though

 

[BerkshireBlue]

Because the club put it in their statement.

3000 safe standing which could be increased in the future.

So we quierrd how would that work given the current plans you have already.

Radio silence.

It was khaldoon who trumpeted the the idea of a blue wall not any fan group, we’ve mailed in plenty of questions asking for detail as we were taking them at face value- even though the 3000 was an afterthought by the club at the final meeting because we asked for more if they really wanted to sell it as a “atmospheric end”. Perhaps they are things they have not even thought about seriously themselves.

The goalposts have moved as we go along. Extra sections added all the time. You’re not anchored tenants if you are shoved to the back 6-7 rows of a stand behind a load of GA+ seating

who cares, that's for the club to sort out post facto the opening and analysing of the data

 

[Saddleworth2]

The club mentioned its liaison with City Matters in its communications. Here is the minutes of the last meeting. Hard to pick out any meat from that.

https://www.mancity.com/meta/media/tb2npqnv/city-matters-full-group-meeting-minutes-10th-september-2025.pdf

 

[BLUE PEANUT]

The first image is from the planning application in 2023. Hospitality areas in purple shows tables and chairs and was probably linked to the GA+ seats originally located at the front.
The second image is from the july 2025 docs. Similar layout, but the purple area is now Cross Bar.
I suspect the club have ditched the GA+ idea (hence why nobody has been emailed about being moved) and Cross Bar will be an enhanced Bar area for a fee, but available to anyone in that level.
The GA+ seats will be moved to back of level 0 with access to city hall, removing interference with displays etc, or an empty section at the start of the second half

 

[Tim of the Oak]

I've thought for awhile that it would benefit the fanbase overall if the various groups joined City Matters enmasse rather than pull against each other. Do we really need 1894, the foodbank guys and the trade union lot (I don't even see what the point of that last lot is except for a "look at me" exercise). I've seen lots of abuse aimed at Alex from CM before (including a disgraceful doxing attempt), if everyone is in the one group you can enact a change from within and then have a lot more votes and pressure. You can always have sub-groups within for specific things like the foodbank.

The last lot have access to resources through the Trades Union movement, for good or bad. These resources helped to bring a challenge /threat against City over the 10 game minimum season card attendance rule. It's very loosely like Liverpool FC have a £multi-billion communications empire working for them in the form of the BBC (but on a much smaller scale). It's not for me but there will be Blues who like what they offer.

 

[bluesmith]

Your and @HelloCity 's logic that the GA+ is moving because the club has suggested that people won't move seats for the cross bar. Coupled with the fact it would be easier to install padded seats in the new section than replace the ones in currently along the front (both completely sensible).

But then you also think that the family section is being relocated to where the GA+ is currently approved.

Would people then not need to move anyway, to make space for the family section?

I haven't mentioned anything about moving the family stand.

There are only 2 scenarios:

1 - The GA+ has moved or
2 - City have put out a statement which will have been signed off by some of the most important people in the club that is wrong.

1 seems more likely to me, I'll try and see if I can find out more when I'm on site next week.

 

[jrb]

At least the club and directors are getting plenty of opinions and ideas from the thread atm.

 

[Cheadle_hulmeBlue]

agree with the standing bit, better off starting small and see how it goes then expand if demand and legislation permits. knowing the authorities we'd build it and then they'd change the rules to say only 10% of each area could be standing.

I asked a previous poster this, but what does that actually mean?

How are they going to know if the demand is there? It’s going to sell out instantly. Is it how quickly, is it through a survey or consultation.

The club have released nothing to say how it’ll actually be shown.

 

[Cheadle_hulmeBlue]

The club need to promote the hell out of this as an atmosphere end, give 1894 their own area at the back, then offer season in the existing singing areas first refusal to relocate, in groups if they want, and also offer a big discount for the first year. The first season is make or break. If the existing singers don’t move it will fail. If they do I think it will be a bigger success than anyone can even dream of.

The ground needs one voice.

I think this is main thing from this entire project. This is our one and only chance to have a proper home end and it would be a huge missed opportunity if it’s not done properly.

As you suggest the club need to be promoting this as a singing end. I sit in the Colin bell stand and you can see the potential with the low roof and larger section.

For me as good as the south stand can be, it’s not working. It’s too fragmented and small.

This is our chance. The club however aren’t helping with the increase in corporate sections, lack of consultation and lack of focus on creating a proper home end. We still have time to change this!

 

[wearethesouthstand]

The last lot have access to resources through the Trades Union movement, for good or bad. These resources helped to bring a challenge /threat against City over the 10 game minimum season card attendance rule. It's very loosely like Liverpool FC have a £multi-billion communications empire working for them in the form of the BBC (but on a much smaller scale). It's not for me but there will be Blues who like what they offer.

Just to clarify there is no legal challenge to City. TUB asked a solicitor if City’s restrictions were lawful. Leigh Day said they didn’t think they were and there would be a case against club if someone raised one.

That’s different to one being raised.

 

[jrb]

I asked a previous poster this, but what does that actually mean?

How are they going to know if the demand is there? It’s going to sell out instantly. Is it how quickly, is it through a survey or consultation.

The club have released nothing to say how it’ll actually be shown.

The safe standing seats can’t sell out as x amount of the safe standing seats are match day seats, so there will always be seats available in the 3000 capacity safe standing section.

If 3000 safe standing Flexi-Gold season tickets were made available in advance by the club and sold out instantly, which they probably would do, the club could then sell a further 1000 Flexi-Gold season tickets, and then expand the safe standing section. But that would mean eating into another 1000 centre seats, which I don’t think the club really want to do, as they will bring in more money than safe standing seats.

That’s why I was always sceptical about the club saying they could increase the safe standing seats to 4000, if the demand was there. You can’t gauge genuine demand if x amount of those tickets are match day tickets sales, especially for the lesser home and midweek games.