Manchester City are looking to follow Liverpool's lead in increasing the capacity of their ground beyond 60,000.
The current Premier League champions have revealed they are currently undertaking feasibility studies with regards to increasing the capacity of their Etihad Stadium home by expanding the size of the North Stand, as well as creating a new covered 'fan zone'.
The move by City is being pursued with the goal in mind to turn the stadium, which is currently the fifth largest Premier League ground with a capacity of 53,400, into a "best-in-class" sport and entertainment venue that would also include more food and drink outlets, a new club shop and museum, workspace and an onsite hotel.
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Should the green light be given to the development, which fans are being invited to share their feedback in early 2023, then it would further aid City's ability for revenue generation, something they now also lead the Premier League in after posting record revenues of £613m and record profits of £41.7m in their most recent accounts.
Such a move would follow a similar one that is currently being pursued by Liverpool, who are set to see the £80m Anfield Road End redevelopment completed in time for the start of the 2023/24 Premier League season.
The Reds' redevelopment plan, which comes on the back of the major Main Stand work that was completed in 2016, will see the Anfield Road End increased by 7,000 seats, something that will help service the enormous demand for matchday tickets by increasing the capacity beyond 60,000 and something that will help push the club close to £100m in annual revenues from matchday income.
The work was done to aid Liverpool's revenue opportunities and make the most of the potential of Anfield, something that was felt would help the club better keep pace with City's off-field growth. But with Pep Guardiola's side now pursuing their own expansion, narrowing that gap is likely to become even more difficult in the future.
Liverpool, who are expected to post record revenues themselves of around £600m when their financial results are released in early 2023, have managed to overtake Manchester United, who they lagged for so long, when it comes to commercial activity and revenue generation. But keeping pace with City, who have been able to lean on simpatico relationships with major firms that exist within the MENA region where their Abu Dhabi owners City Football Group are based, has presented an ever-increasing challenge to Reds owners Fenway Sports Group, who are now willing to listen to expressions of interest in anyone wealthy enough to part with $4bn (£3.3bn) or more to acquire their full shareholding in the club.
A Manchester City statement read: "Identifying opportunities to introduce new entertainment experiences - both on matchday and non-matchday - is a key component of the study, building on the club’s ongoing commitment to invest in and develop its facilities for the benefit of its fans and visitors."
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