Manchester City are hoping to break the Etihad Stadium's attendance record on the final day of the Premier League season.
The top tier of the Etihad Stadium's North Stand has been extended
The top tier of the Etihad Stadium's North Stand has been extended(Image: Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)
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Manchester City are aiming to have the Etihad Stadium's North Stand at full capacity for the final Premier League game of the season against Aston Villa. The Blues started the expansion in 2023 to take the stadium's capacity above 60,000.
City have confirmed they are planning to be at 100 per cent capacity before the season ends. To be open fully for the Villa game, an afternoon when Bernardo Silva and John Stones are set to play their final games for the club, the stand must first pass a number of test events.
The first test events will be hosted internally before the first major test on Wednesday, May 20. City are looking for more than 3,500 fans to attend a test event where the tier will be at 50 per cent capacity. The event will include live entertainment, music, Carabao Cup photo opportunities and a chance to win 'money can't buy' prizes and meet former players. Should everything go well, the North Stand will then be approved for full capacity at the Villa game.
Tickets for the test event will go on sale to season ticket members and seasonal hospitality members at 2pm on Friday, May 1. They will be priced at £5 for adults and £3 for under 18s with the ticket including a free food item and soft or alcoholic drink.
Hospitality packages in the North Stand are not due to open this season. The opening of the North Stand's new tier is the latest step in the club's expansion of the Etihad Stadium.
A new fanzone, museum, City Store, 401-bedroom hotel and wider Medlock Square development are all part of the upgrades. These are due to open to the public before the end of 2026.
Discussing the North Stand's opening, Manchester City Operations managing director Danny Wilson said: "After years of planning and construction, we’re getting close to using the expanded general admission seating section of the North Stand - a significant moment in the history of this club that will see us break the Etihad Stadium’s record matchday attendance.
"Our aim has always been to open the new general admission seating before the end of the 2025/26 season. To do this, we must host a number of test events, with the evening of entertainment on Wednesday, May 20 playing a vital role.
"We hope more than 3,500 fans will join us, enjoy the evening with friends and family, and be the first to experience the expanded North Stand."
In 2024, Co-op Live opened across from the Etihad Stadium - a joint venture between City Football Group and Oak View Group. The 23,500 capacity venue has hosted an array of events including the Brit Awards earlier this year. City's expanded Etihad Stadium will host matches at the men's European Championship in 2028.