Etihad Campus, Stadium Development and Collar Site

[HelloCity]

Re: Etihad Campus & potential new stadium

COMS was actually built as an all purpose football stadium. When the stadium was used for the games, the stadium was in 'athletics mode'. The stadium for this mode was 'incomplete' and would remain so until it was 'finished' in order for City to move in. If City had not agreed to move from Maine Road then a smaller or even temporary stadium would have been built instead.

A lot of the underground areas for the stadium, which would be used by City; home and away dressing rooms etc, we're already built when the games took place. Contrary to popular belief we did not convert a proper athletics stadium and add in loads of stuff under ground afterwards.

 

[Marvin]

Re: Etihad Campus & potential new stadium

The thing is if they made it 60k to the plans the owners might think its not big enough especially if we keep winning trophies!

Think our owners want around an 80k stadium and it be iconic

It will be a very long time, if ever, before we could justify an 80,000 seater stadium.

We sold out our home PL games last season, but often only very close to kick off. We only just sold out an FA Cup tie against United. We failed to sell out our first CL fixture. We still struggle to get many more than 30,000 for the less important cup games, a poor attendance for a Carling Cup semi final.

The league win will obviously increase attendances, the league games will sell out a lot quicker. But to justify a 60,000 seater stadium requires an extra 13,000 regular fans. But I'm not sure that the new fans will immediately want to go to every game. We would probably need to attract an extra 20,000 new fans to fill those seats every match.

Subject to engineering constraints, I think expansion should be incremental. Another tier on one of the South or North stands. If there's still demand then repeat that at the other end after a couple of years.

Nobody wants to see fans not being able to get tickets at all, but there's something to be said for ensuring the "sold out" signs are a fairly regular occurence. At least for a short period. Make City a "hot ticket".

Just by building a new stadium, you'd generate a huge number of new fans who would want to come and experience the new ground. We wouldn't get 80k for Cup games, but neither do Utd. I think you underestimate the excitement generated by a new ground (remember the move from 34k Maine Road to 47k COMs) and the excitement of seeing the Champions. Selling 36k plus season tickets without even going on open sale suggests that the demand is significantly greater than it was last season.

 

[Ifwecouldjust.......]

Re: Etihad Campus & potential new stadium

Correct

Me and the mrs would have two season tickets this year if we could get them and it would be close on a 400 mile round trip to get there.

Gone are the days of picking up tickets close to kick off

 

[toofaraway]

Re: Etihad Campus & potential new stadium

If there is room nearby to build a new stadium then the advantages are great.

1 The existing stadium is a great venue for concerts (near city centre etc) but can only be used for this purpose in the close season. In other words the 'old' venue would not be wasted and could be a substantial earner all year round.

2 A new stadium apart from having a larger capacity would have to be iconic - something to catch every ones imagination - and instantly recognisable around the world. So no St James Park or Emirates or Old Trafford.

3 There would be no disruption which would be the inevitable alternative if we try to modify our present stadium. Also would a modified stadium end up looking a bit like a bodged job.

4 Money spent on ground improvements is not part FFP so provided the owners are prepared to spend there should be no problem.

 

[The Pink Panther]

Re: Etihad Campus & potential new stadium

Personally I don't think there will just be an extra tier at both ends of the stadium.
Corporate hospitality is where the big money's at and I'm certain that boxes is the first thing on the list of requirements, not 12,000 pleb seats

 

[Scooby Blue]

Re: Etihad Campus & potential new stadium

The thing is if they made it 60k to the plans the owners might think its not big enough especially if we keep winning trophies!

Think our owners want around an 80k stadium and it be iconic

It will be a very long time, if ever, before we could justify an 80,000 seater stadium.

We sold out our home PL games last season, but often only very close to kick off. We only just sold out an FA Cup tie against United. We failed to sell out our first CL fixture. We still struggle to get many more than 30,000 for the less important cup games, a poor attendance for a Carling Cup semi final.

The league win will obviously increase attendances, the league games will sell out a lot quicker. But to justify a 60,000 seater stadium requires an extra 13,000 regular fans. But I'm not sure that the new fans will immediately want to go to every game. We would probably need to attract an extra 20,000 new fans to fill those seats every match.

Subject to engineering constraints, I think expansion should be incremental. Another tier on one of the South or North stands. If there's still demand then repeat that at the other end after a couple of years.

Nobody wants to see fans not being able to get tickets at all, but there's something to be said for ensuring the "sold out" signs are a fairly regular occurence. At least for a short period. Make City a "hot ticket".

Not sure that you can just extrapolate current "profile" of ticket sales to what would happen with , say, a 60,000 capacity stadium.

- extra capacity enables significant numbers of bluecard / occasional fans to upgrade to a proper choice of seasoncard with decent view / opportunity to get 3 seats together etc .... all impossible under current system where squatters rights of existing seasoncard holders means that "choice" available to new upgraders is very limited.

- extra capacity would also make it easier for club to cross-subsidise value-gold type deals with greater corporate income.

 

[yerwot?]

Re: Etihad Campus & potential new stadium

Surely the prospect of safe standing has to be considered in any future plans.( anyone who mentions Hillsborough should be banned forthwith). They have it abroad, it adds to the atmosphere, it could increase the gate, it cannot be ignored

 

[SWP's back]

Re: Etihad Campus & potential new stadium

Surely the prospect of safe standing has to be considered in any future plans.( anyone who mentions Hillsborough should be banned forthwith). They have it abroad, it adds to the atmosphere, it could increase the gate, it cannot be ignored

I agree and want it but it doesnt increase the gate nowadays mate as everyone has to have their own clearly defined space and the seats must be back in place for European matches.

 

[hgblue]

Re: Etihad Campus & potential new stadium

If there is room nearby to build a new stadium then the advantages are great.

1 The existing stadium is a great venue for concerts (near city centre etc) but can only be used for this purpose in the close season. In other words the 'old' venue would not be wasted and could be a substantial earner all year round.

2 A new stadium apart from having a larger capacity would have to be iconic - something to catch every ones imagination - and instantly recognisable around the world. So no St James Park or Emirates or Old Trafford.

3 There would be no disruption which would be the inevitable alternative if we try to modify our present stadium. Also would a modified stadium end up looking a bit like a bodged job.

4 Money spent on ground improvements is not part FFP so provided the owners are prepared to spend there should be no problem.

Absolutely. 80,000 capacity would also mean anyone who wants a season ticket could have one, with plenty of room left for those who can't buy a season ticket due to lack of finance or work committments, plus (whisper it) the typical tourist who will perhaps only see one game but spend lots of cash on souvenirs etc. Maximizing your income + building something iconic......

 

[LoveCity]

Re: Etihad Campus & potential new stadium

Say we wanted to build a new stadium do we even have the land for it anymore now that Etihad Campus/academy building/etc. plans are in effect? Did someone once say we'd have room on one of the car parks for a new stadium being built at the same time we used the current one?