Man Utd’s new stadium moves closer as club propose never-before-seen step for 100,000-capacity arena

MANCHESTER UNITED are hoping to become the first English club to offer seat licences in their new £2billion stadium.

If United are back in Europe by the proposed 2030 stadium opening date, the club could also become the first European side to provide them.

APMan Utd are hoping to become the first English club to offer seat licences in their new £2billion stadium. (Foster + Partner via AP)[/caption]

Personal seat licences (PSLs) are different to season tickets and are fairly common in the United States.

The licence would allow fans to buy a specific seat for a set period of time and is often used in American sports as a means to part-fund stadium builds.

Under a PSL scheme, a fan who buys a licence would still pay separately for a season ticket – but retains the option to sell the licence to someone else if they choose not to renew their tickets.

It is understood that the licences will be optional and geared towards premium seating areas.

Normal season tickets will still be available to purchase annually, with the ability to apply for away games and cup finals.

However, fans with licences who don’t buy season tickets will lose their licence.

United sent a survey to match-going fans on Thursday night which will assess the demand for licences among other issues.

The club hope it will demonstrate the commercial case for funding and building a new 100,000-capacity “Wembley of the North”.

United told SunSport: “We will also test demands at much lower price points, including some lower than current levels.”

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The club will wait until the results of the fan consultation to decide on the price of the licences.

The new survey – which will be sent to members, season ticket holders, and executive club members – will be the biggest fan research initiative conducted as part of the project so far.

The survey will also question fan preferences on prices and transport habits to games as United try to assess the economic case for building a new ground.

The owners plan to build and fund the stadium itself, but hope the UK government will be a partner in improving transport links, housing and leisure facilities around the Trafford area.

United surveyed fans about a new stadium last year and stated that 52 per cent of the 50,000 responders preferred a new build.

Meanwhile, 31 per cent supported refurbishing the existing Old Trafford ground and the rest were undecided.

United say they are “committed to keeping football affordable, accessible and atmospheric for fans and preserving match-going culture for future generations.”