11th December 2025
December 11 – English Premier League club Manchester City is slowly turning the Etihad Campus into a year-round destination rather than a place that serves punters on matchdays.
The club has partnered with Radisson Hotel Group to run its new 401-room hotel, The Medlock.
As the Etihad Campus continues to expand into a sports and entertainment district, the £300 million-plus redevelopment already includes new fan zones, expanded food and drink areas, along with a rooftop walk, museum space, and commercial offices
City expect the hotel to appeal to business travellers, tourists, and anyone heading to events either at the Etihad or at Co-op Live, the new multi-purpose arena located next door.
It’s another sign that City are investing heavily in lifestyle and destination-based infrastructure, which is a trend running through the upper levels of European football as clubs look for new commercial space beyond tickets, shirts and broadcast deals.
City say The Medlock will help keep people on site longer, spark new forms of fan engagement, and make the Etihad Campus a place with real daily activity instead of a once-or-twice-a-week rhythm. Code for spending more money.
All of this activity and expenditure proves that football clubs are becoming more like entertainment companies.