Manchester City are set to rename the Etihad Stadium in a grand gesture for their annual charity weekend, celebrating City in the Community (CITC) during the clash with Brighton. The initiative honours the club's commitment to supporting local residents throughout the year.
Fans arriving at the 'City in the Community Etihad Stadium' will be greeted by captain Ruben Dias, who has been actively involved with CITC events, including a recent surprise ticket giveaway to a student from Chorlton High School. Before kick-off, City players will don special CITC-branded tops for their warm-up, which will later be donated. Additionally, the match will feature the return of player illustrations by local primary school children.
The day is packed with special experiences for CITC participants, alongside the relaunch of the charity's website and a new monthly prize draw that includes mascot opportunities for an upcoming Manchester derby.
CITC CEO Michael Geary expressed his enthusiasm: "We are delighted that Manchester City is once again showcasing its support for its charity on such a huge scale.
"We are extremely passionate about engaging our fans and all the activities they'll see on Saturday have been designed to help raise levels of visibility and awareness of City in the Community."
Geary also highlighted the donation of free matchday tickets to local schoolchildren, ensuring that those who might not typically have the chance can enjoy the excitement of a game at the Etihad.
"Special thanks must also go to all partners and suppliers who have helped to make today's match as impactful as possible," he added. "I hope that fans can join us and the club in celebrating our work to empower healthier lives through football."
This article first appeared on the Manchester Evening News.