Man City North Stand plan is already paying off with Manchester United advantage

Manchester City will host England's first game of Euro 2028 in what is a major boost for the redevelopment of the North Stand.

Manchester City's expanded North Stand might only welcome supporters for the first time next year, but the work is already paying off after the Etihad landed a major coup for Euro 2028.

The stadium, which will have a capacity of more than 60,000 once the new stand is fully operational, has been selected to host five games at Euro 2028, including England's opening game of the tournament, should the Three Lions qualify.

England will play all their remaining games at Wembley, which is a sign of the esteem the redeveloped Etihad is held in UEFA and Football Association circles. In addition to increased capacity, the redevelopment is enhancing the fan experience with an expanded fan zone and a hotel set to open.

It will make the Etihad eligible to host a Champions League final, and UEFA might even use the 2028 tournament experience to assess its viability for such a fixture. Only Munich submitted a bid to host the 2028 final and as things stand, London and Barcelona have entered the race for the 2029 final.

For now, landing such a prestigious game during Euro 2028 is a major boost for City and it is clear the £300million redevelopment has played a significant part in bringing the stadium and its facilities up to the standard required, as the leader of Manchester City Council, Councillor Bev Craig, explained.

"Manchester is known the world over as a great footballing city and we could not be more excited to be welcoming such a prestigious tournament, which is enjoyed by millions of fans around the world, to our city," she said.

"We're a city where football runs deep in our DNA and we're counting down the days to UEFA Euro 2028. As well as our unrivalled love for football, the city brings together an exceptional network of partners who are working tirelessly to ensure a world-class experience for players, fans, and visitors alike.

"It's important also to acknowledge the ongoing investment in facilities and development of the area around the stadium in East Manchester into a world-class sports and entertainment campus - which is what enabled us to put the strongest possible bid in to host the tournament, and ultimately led to us being chosen as one of the tournament's host cities.

"As well as enjoying some fantastic football from world-class players at the top of their game right here on our doorstep, we'll be going all out to maximise the benefits to Manchester of hosting the tournament, and with a projected economic boost to the local economy of over £200 million, it's an absolute win-win for the city and for local residents."

It will also be satisfying to City executives that Manchester's status as a great footballing city is now being discussed around their club and the Etihad Stadium.

Old Trafford won't be hosting games during Euro 2028, as the current stadium does not meet the standards required and plans for a new build are still in their infancy.

That gives City a significant head start on their cross-town rivals. Not only will they welcome more than 300,000 supporters to the stadium during Euro 2028, but many will also stay in the on-site hotel, which is set to open next year. They might even take in a concert at the Co-op Live arena next door.

All of that will be extra cash in City's accounts and will deliver an experience that will mean plenty of fans don't even need to leave the area around the Etihad. It is the first example of why they were so keen to push ahead with the North Stand development and the plans to enhance the stadium experience.

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