Manchester City announce Premier League-first addition to Etihad Stadium for fans | OneFootball

Manchester City fans will have the opportunity to experience a Premier League-first inside the Etihad Stadium, the club have announced this week.

The English giants have taken another major step in redefining the traditional football fan experience, this time by embracing cutting-edge digital innovation at the ever-developing Etihad Stadium and wider on-site ‘campus’.

Already regarded as one of the most forward-thinking clubs in world football, Manchester City continue to lead the way both on and off the pitch, and the latest announcement is yet another example of their ambition to blend sport, technology, and fan culture.

Over the last 12 months, Manchester City have ramped up their transformation of the Etihad Campus into a broader entertainment hub, with work continuing on the construction of the expanded North Stand and an accompanying fan zone complete with a hotel, sky bar, and new club museum.

The ambitious multi-million-pound redevelopment project remains on course and scheduled for completion in time for the start of the 2026/27 season, while elements of the expansion could be launched midway through the forthcoming 2025/26 campaign.

As fans await the longer-term upgrades, the club has continued to deliver new experiences in the short term, as officials consistently place supporter interaction at the heart of their matchday and off-season strategy.

As announced by on Thursday, Manchester City have become the first club in the Premier League to introduce a ‘futuristic virtual reality experience’ as part of its award-winning Etihad Stadium tour.

‘Beyond The Blue Moon’ is described as an ‘immersive experience that allows fans and visitors to engage with Manchester City in an entirely new way by taking them on a dynamic journey that combines nostalgia, adventure, and cutting-edge technology’.

Highlights of the experience are said to include ‘travelling through a variety of different City-themed worlds or flying around a futuristic Etihad Stadium before lifting a trophy in front of a crowd of cheering fans’.

The new experience is also said to offer opportunities to guests to delve deeper into Manchester City’s history, exploring key moments, legendary players, and important goals that have shaped the club’s journey over the decades.

Commenting on the launch of the experience, Managing Director of Manchester City Operations, Danny Wilson said: “The launch of our first-of-its-kind virtual reality experience marks an exciting evolution of the Manchester City Stadium Tour, offering fans and visitors an entirely new way to connect with the Club through immersive, cutting-edge technology.

“Beyond The Blue Moon reflects our broader commitment to embracing innovation and reimagining traditional experiences, which is something we will continue to focus on as we prepare to open our new Manchester City Museum next year following the completion of our entertainment destination at the Etihad Campus.”

This latest innovation will likely be seen as a key component of City’s wider effort to establish their stadium and surrounding area as not just a football venue, but a year-round destination for supporters, families, and tourists alike.

The blend of historical reflection with futuristic technology is expected to appeal to both long-time fans and a new, younger generation. Looking ahead, the success of ‘Beyond The Blue Moon’ could inspire other Premier League and European clubs to follow suit, particularly as the competition to deliver enhanced fan engagement continues to evolve rapidly.

For Manchester City, however, it is another clear signal of their intent to remain at the forefront of football innovation, not just through trophies and transfers, but through pioneering ways of bringing fans closer to the club than ever before.