The City of Manchester Stadium
Manchester, England
Arup Associates

A stadium of undulating curves hosts a program of changing sports venues

© Dennis Gilbert / View

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The City of Manchester Stadium will host the 2002 Commonwealth Games this July before becoming the home of Manchester City Football Club. Although, the 50,000-seat-stadium is being built on a remarkably low budget, stunning architecture can be found in the design. Access ramps spiral around concrete towers which house plants as well as support the masts and stabilize the building. The undulating roof covers all the seats and is supported by an innovative prestressed cable net, which allows phased construction of the roof for athletics then later football.

A circular perimeter combines with an optimal "TV-shaped" seating plan to create elevations that sweep up from the north and south to contain the club and upper stands on the east and west. The high sides provide protection from prevailing winds and low sun angles, while also creating a concentration of seats in the areas most favored by spectators.

Immediately after the games are finished, the builders will resume work creating the new home of Manchester City Football Club. This metamorphosis from athletics to football stadium is one of the defining features of the stadium and a step in making temporary sporting facilities viable for the future.
The 10-month transformation will see the removal of the recyclable eight-lane running track and infield, and the temporary north stand and the excavation of the stadium bowl, which creates a new third tier providing an ideal location for viewing football. The additional lower tier of seats, together with the completion of a permanent north stand, will provide another 20,000 seats, boosting capacity to 48,000.

The stadium’s half-mile circumference has been designed to enhance spectators’ sight lines and enjoyment of sporting events. The stadium forms the focus of a 120 acre site to be called Sportcity, providing a range of facilities including a sports injury clinic and sports retail and leisure. The British Cycling Federation’s velodrome is already on the site.

Formal name of Project:
The City of Manchester Stadium

Location:
Manchester, England

Gross square footage:
355,000 sq ft

Client:
Manchester City Council & MCFC

Architect:
Arup Associates
37 Fitzroy Sq
London
W1T 6EY
020 7755 2653
020 7755 2561 fex
www.arupassociates.com