Foster + Partners has unveiled designs for a stadium for Manchester United club that is designed to be "outward-looking." 

Envisioned for the world’s most famous football club, Manchester United, Foster + Partners was appointed to develop a masterplan for the Old Trafford Stadium District.

In addition to a broader master plan that includes mixed-use developments, the goal of the project is to create a world-class football destination and home for Manchester United fans. This will benefit the local community, draw in new residents, create more jobs, and make the area a bustling destination for tourists from Manchester, the UK, and beyond.

Informed by the city’s incredible history, the sports-led regeneration project would transform the one-million square metre brownfield site into a thriving mixed-use district, with a network of green civic spaces, streets, bridges, and waterfront areas.

Foster + Partners has collaborated with Manchester United to create some illustrative designs for the new landmark stadium, which will serve as a catalyst for regeneration and be at the center of this ambitious masterplan. 

As the project moves into a new phase, this will serve as the foundation for more thorough feasibility, consulting, design, and planning work.

The design creates a processional route from a new train station to the plaza, which would serve as a welcoming focal point for fan gatherings and community events.

"The outward-looking stadium"

"This has to be one of the most exciting projects in the world today, with incredible regional and national significance. It all starts with the fans’ experience, bringing them closer than ever to the pitch and acoustically cultivating a huge roar," said Norman Foster, Founder and Executive Chairman, Foster + Partners. 

"The stadium is contained by a vast umbrella, harvesting energy and rainwater, and sheltering a new public plaza that is twice the size of Trafalgar Square." 

"The outward-looking stadium would be the beating heart of a new sustainable district, which is completely walkable, served by public transport, and endowed by nature." 

"It is a mixed-use miniature city of the future – driving a new wave of growth and creating a global destination that Mancunians can be proud of," Foster added.

The sports-led revitalization project would turn the one-million-square-meter brownfield site into a bustling mixed-use zone with a network of green civic spaces, roadways, bridges, and waterfront areas, all inspired by the city's amazing past. 

In addition to utilizing options for rainwater collection and renewable energy, the project establishes direct pedestrian and transportation connections between new and existing communities as well as the larger metropolis, setting a new international standard for sustainable city developments. 

The project would be accelerated by the possible removal of freight trains from the West Coast Main Line, which would increase passenger volume to Manchester Piccadilly and the northwest area, improve rail connections with Liverpool, and free up land for the Old Trafford Stadium District.

Setting a new international benchmark for sustainable city developments, the project forges direct transport and pedestrian connections between new and existing communities – and the wider city.

The new stadium concept, which flips the conventional football stadium architectural plan, is open and outward facing with wraparound balconies that gaze out over the surrounding area. It would be a worldwide recognizable monument in the heart of the neighborhood, embodying the essence of Manchester United and the city's history. 

Inspired by the Red Devil's trident insignia, the stadium's three towering masts mirror the industrial skyline of Manchester's verticality. A translucent canopy that envelops the stadium, encircling the stands and providing rain protection for a spacious public plaza, is supported by the masts.

The stadium overlooks the city’s famous Bridgewater Canal that runs adjacent to the site.

In addition to offering a variety of engaging experiences for Manchester United supporters and tourists from across the world, the covered plaza offers a view of the city's well-known Bridgewater Canal, which runs beside the property. As a welcoming focal point for fan events and community gatherings, the practice's design establishes a processional approach from a new train station to the plaza.

The 100,000-seat stadium bowl offers an unparalleled match day experience by bringing spectators closer to the field and fostering a small, intimate setting with exceptional acoustics. The Manchester Ship Canal and modular offsite prefabrication would greatly accelerate development.

A covered plaza features a range of interactive experiences for Manchester United’s fans and global visitors.

"The new stadium design is a celebration of the unique and extraordinary history of Manchester United – and will provide a world-class experience for its 1.1 billion global fans and followers. Three towering masts hold up the stadium’s canopy, embodying the club’s trident emblem, and creating a distinctive presence on the skyline," said Nigel Dancey, Head of Studio, Foster + Partners. 

"Teamwork and the city’s renowned spirit of innovation are cornerstones of this remarkable project, which would look to embrace the network of the Manchester Ship Canal and cutting-edge prefabrication technologies to build the stadium in record time," Dancey explained.

The masts support a translucent canopy that envelopes the stadium, wrapping around the stands and shielding a generous public plaza from rainfall.

Recently, Foster + Partners unveiled design for a masterplan for a 38-hectare site at the heart of Constanța, a port city in the Dobrogea historical region of Romania. Additionally, the firm created a three-dimensional layered roof for Apple's new store in Malaysia. Moreover, the firm unveiled post-earthquake revitalization masterplan for Hatay. 

All images © Foster + Partners.

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