Man City to reduce capacity of the Etihad Stadium by 1,100 seats

Manchester City have announced plans to reduce the capacity of the Etihad Stadium by around 1,100 seats in order to fit new electronic advertising hoardings.

The Premier League runaway leaders will take out up to three rows of seats in the North, East and South stands, reducing the capacity to around 54,000.

The front rows will be removed for a second tier of LED screens which, identical to what is in place at Molineux for Wolves, gives the illusion of doubling the height of the display.

A club statement read: 'As part of Manchester City's ongoing development works to enhance the Etihad Stadium a second row of digital signage will be installed in the lower stadium bowl.

'Regrettably, a small percentage of seats allocated to both seasoncard holders and supporters who purchase on match by match basis will be removed.

'Impacted seasoncard holders were contacted in December 2020 and informed that they will be given relocation priority ahead the 2021/22 season.

'Seasoncard holders who relocate will pay no more than their 2019/20 seasoncard price next season, irrespective of where their new seat is located.'

Despite the reduction in capacity, there are already plans in place to increase the capacity to 60,000 in the coming years, by expanding the North Stand.

The fresh advertising will generate more revenue from City's existing sponsorship deals, and will not impact sight-lines.

The new features are part of the overall renovation of the ground, formerly known as the City of Manchester Stadium and built for the 2002 Commonwealth Games.

No City fans have been present in the Etihad all season due to coronavirus restrictions, but 10,000 should be allowed in for their match on the final day of the Premier League season against Everton, when they could lift the trophy.