Manchester City have revealed ambitious plans to expand the capacity of the Etihad Stadium to 61,500.
Both ends of the stadium, owned by Manchester council, would be lifted to accommodate an extra tier and 13,500 seats.
The scheme would make the Etihad the third-largest venue in domestic football in Britain and City plan to apply for planning permission next month.
Dramatic: An artist impression of the Etihad stadium expansion plans
City are offering their 36,000 season card holders the opportunity to buy up to four more season cards.
Members of the club’s Blue scheme will also be invited to apply.
Officials will then gauge levels of interest before deciding to extend one or both ends of the stadium, which was built for the 2002 Commonwealth Games although permission will be sought for both.
A source quoted by the Manchester Evening News said: ‘It has to be commercially viable.’
Ambitious: Both ends would be lifted to accommodate 13,500 more fans
Cost: The proposed seating plan for the redeveloped stadium
A glossy leaflet to be sent to fans reads: ‘Opportunities like this only happen once in a blue moon.’
It added: ‘As the team grows, our fanbase grows and our home has to grow.’
Season card holders will also be offered the chance to move from their existing seats.
