City of Manchester Stadium
City of Manchester Stadium
Commonwealth Games(2002): 41,000Domestic Football: 55,097UEFA-governed football: 53,000Music Concerts: 60,000
Manchester, England, United Kingdom
Desso Grassmaster
The City of Manchester Stadium, generally known as the Etihad Stadium is the home ground for the international club Manchester City since 2003. It is the eighth largest stadium in the United Kingdom regarding capacity (55,097 spectators). The stadium hosts International football matches, musical concerts, and many other events. An estimated amount of 112 million Euros has been invested in building it as an athletic stadium by Arup Associates. Etihad Stadium is well-known for its structure and design and has won the award by Royal Institute of British Architects in 2004. In 2003, it won the special award from the Institute of Structural Engineers. The surface of the ground has Desso Grass Master which makes it one of the best grounds for association football matches.
Significance
- The first concert in Etihad Stadium was performed by Red Hot Chili Peppers and James Brown in 2004.
- The English rock band "Oasis" has performed here at the concert held in 2005 which was witnessed by a record attendance of 60,000 people.
- U2, The Stone Roses, Gorge Michael, One Direction, Bastille, Muse, Sugababes, Foo Fighters, Coldplay, Robbie Williams and Bruce Springsteen have performed at the stadium.
- “Hatton’s Homecoming”, the boxing fight between the IBO light welterweight champion Ricky Hatton and Juan Lazcano was also hosted in this stadium in 2008.
- It has hosted the final match of UEFA Cup in 2008, battled between Zenit Saint Petersburg of Russia and Rangers F.C. of Scotland.
- Along with many known championships, this stadium has also hosted England’s football international matches, Boxing events, and Rugby League matches of which, latest was the 2015 Rugby World Cup.
- Etihad Stadium played host to the UEFA Women’s Championship in 2005 along with 2011 UEFA Championship League finals.
