Old Trafford

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Lore & Background

Nicknamed 'The Theatre of Dreams' by Bobby Charlton, Old Trafford has been United's home ground since 1910, although from 1941 to 1949 the club shared Maine Road with local rivals Manchester City due to the Blitz. Old Trafford underwent several expansions in the 1990s and 2000s, including the addition of extra tiers to the North, West and East Stands, almost returning the stadium to its original capacity of 80,000 in 2006, up from roughly 44,000 in 1993, following the conversion to an all-seater stadium. Should further expansion occur, it is likely to involve the addition of a second tier to the South Stand, which would raise the capacity to around 88,000, although alternative suggestions have been made for a new stadium in recent years. The stadium's record attendance was recorded in 1939, when 76,962 spectators watched the FA Cup semi-final between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Grimsby Town.

In Their Own Story

In February 2024, Sir Jim Ratcliffe purchased a 27.7% stake in Manchester United. He stated that he wanted to see a 'national stadium in the north of England', rather than refurbish the existing stadium as it would not be perfect. A taskforce made up of Lord Coe, Andy Burnham, Gary Neville, Sara Todd, academics and members of a fans group explored whether to renovate the existing stadium or construct a new one. When fans were surveyed, 52% were in favour of a new stadium rather than redevelopment. In September 2024, the first images of the new stadium were published and it was reported that it could bring in £7.3 billion each year to the UK economy. In March 2025, it was announced that the club would build a proposed 100,000-seater arena, costing around £2 billion ($2.6 billion) designed by British architect Norman Foster. In June 2026, the club secured most of the land needed to build the new stadium from Indurent (part of investment firm Blackstone) for an undisclosed price. The wider 370-acre regeneration project, to a masterplan created by Allies and Morrison, was expected to create around 15,000 new homes, including affordable housing, plus commercial, cultural and transport uses and green space. The new stadium is under consideration as a host venue for the 2035 FIFA Women's World Cup.

Reader's Guide

Old Trafford has hosted an FA Cup Final, two final replays and was regularly used as a neutral venue for the competition's semi-finals. It has also hosted England fixtures, and matches at the 1966 FIFA World Cup, UEFA Euro 1996, the 2012 Summer Olympics and UEFA Women's Euro 2022. The stadium also hosted the 2003 Champions League Final. Outside football, the stadium is used occasionally for rugby league. It has been the venue for the Rugby Football League's annual Super League Grand Final, and previously Premiership Final, since 1987. In addition, it has been a host venue for four editions of the Rugby League World Cup - 1995, 2000, 2013, and 2021 (men's and women's).

Did You Know?

• The stadium's record attendance of 76,962 was set in 1939 for an FA Cup semi-final, not a Manchester United home game.
• Old Trafford was designed by Scottish architect Archibald Leitch, who designed several other stadia.
• The first goal at Old Trafford was scored by Sandy Turnbull in a 4–3 loss to Liverpool on 19 February 1910.
• During the Second World War, Old Trafford was damaged by German bombing, forcing United to play at Maine Road from 1941 to 1949.