11 Mar 2009City considering Eastlands expansion

Football Technology and Stadia

Manchester City are considering plans to expand the capacity of their Eastlands home stadium to 65,000, according to a report in the News of the World.

The arena, which is located in east Manchester, was only opened for football purposes in August 2003 after it formed the centrepiece of the Commonwealth Games in 2002.

However, City's ambitious and mega-rich new owners, the Abu Dhabi United Group, are now thought to be looking into boosting the capacity, which currently stands at 48,000.

A source told the newspaper: "There have been rumours floating around the construction industry for a few months that City are looking at how to expand the ground.

"The owners are looking into it but there are a few obstacles to get through before they can get any work started."

According to the newspaper, the project - which would give City the second-biggest stadium in the Premier League - could be completed as early as the 2011-12 season.

City's bitter rivals Manchester United currently have the biggest stadium in the top flight, with their Old Trafford home seating 76,212 spectators.

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