.jpeg?trim=0,316,0,75&width=1200&height=800&crop=1200:800 "First look at brand new entertainment hub opening next to Etihad Stadium – UK Times")
A brand new entertainment destination is opening next to Manchester’s Etihad Stadium, promising to transform matchday experiences.
The new venue, named Medlock Square, will provide a place for football supporters beyond their stadium seats.
The square will include an immersive and interactive museum experience, tracing the history of the club, while a brand new flagship store will give fans an even larger space to explore the latest City kits and products.
There will also be a covered space with capacity for up to 3,000 people, allowing fans to meet and socialise before and after the match.
Across Medlock Square, there will be new food and drink vendors, including coffee shops, restaurants, and independent local food stalls located outside the East and West stands.
Aside from matchday entertainment, Medlock Square will also launch brand new experiences including a roof walk, abseiling and zipwires, allowing fans to step on top of the stadium itself and enjoy views across Manchester.
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The opening of Medlock Square coincides with the Etihad Stadium North Stand expansion, which will increase the stadium’s capacity with the introduction of 7,000 new seats, as well as new premium bar and hospitality experiences.
Fans keen to stay the night next to the stadium before or after the match can do so in the newly launched Medlock Hotel – ideal for those who find it tricky getting back home from the Etihad Stadium or the nearby Co-op Live music venue.
The hotel, run by Radisson Blu, is taking bookings from 1 October onwards.
Medlock Hotel has 401 rooms, some of which will look over the pitch, including standard rooms, one-bedroom suites and a two-storey penthouse suite with private VIP access.
Alongside a gym and an all-day dining brasserie, guests can visit the Sky Bar at the hotel for panoramic views of the pitch.
Danny Wilson, managing director of Manchester City Operations, said: “Medlock Square represents the next step in our long-term commitment to the regeneration of East Manchester and the continued development of world-class facilities at the Etihad Campus.
“The new facilities and experiences will give fans more ways than ever to enjoy the Etihad on matchdays and beyond and establish Medlock Square as an unrivalled entertainment destination.”
More details about Medlock Square are to be announced in the coming weeks.
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