Manchester City have submitted plans to Manchester City Council for a new women’s training ground.
Man City’s plans for a stand-alone ‘purpose-built training facility’ for their women’s team comes a decade after the club first joined Women’s Super League, with the proposed new training ground set to cost up to £10million which would open in 2025 if approved.
A hydotherapy area, high-performance gym and analytics space have all been included in the proposed plans, with City having worked with several experts to ensure that the players’ needs are met whilst the building has been designed to allow expansion in line with team growth.
The new facility will remain part of City’s Football Academy campus near the Joie Stadium, where City Women play their home games.
Although this facility is for the women’s team only, City have confirmed that the team will ‘continue to be a central part of the eco-system at the £200m City Football Academy meaning they can take advantage of the resources and know-how across the organisation’s wider operations and facilities.’
Managing Director of Man City Women, Charlotte O’Neill is “delighted” to announce the plans for a new private facility for the women’s first-team, despite the shared space with City’s other teams across men and women’s football having “been a huge asset” in their development.
O’Neill however iterated that for City Women to evolve and challenge for titles more regularly – having claimed just two trophies in the last four seasons, this development is vital to meeting their needs whilst investing “in the right facilities at the right stage in the team’s journey.”
Addressing the competitive benefits of this new facility, O’Neill explained that players will have “a bespoke industry-leading environment for them to train and recover together,” with view to improving their welfare and attract more talent to the club.
Man City Women’s captain, Steph Houghton MBE has been part of the club since it turned professional in 2024, and the 35 year-old defender has welcomed this latest development – subject to council approval.
“I’ve been incredibly proud to call the City Football Academy home for the past ten years and have seen first-hand how the integrated facilities we are a part of have contributed to the development of the women’s team.
“My team-mates and I have benefitted massively from working with the coaches, researchers, nutritionists and everyone else on site who have helped us to develop as professional footballers and compete at the highest level.
“As we look to take the next step in our journey of developing the women’s game, it’s right that we now develop our own purpose-built home, at the heart of City Football Academy, and I’m thrilled the Club has the ambition and commitment to keep investing in our future.”
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