Big news for the Etihad faithful! The club has confirmed ticketing details for the trial of the fully expanded North Stand at the season finale against Aston Villa on Sunday, 24 May. This is a major step in the stadium's phased opening, and it's all subject to the new section passing a series of crucial public and private test events to ensure everything runs smoothly.

To keep things moving while those final checks are underway, the club will initially release 50% of the additional general admission seats in the expanded North Stand for the Villa match. This smart, phased approach means fans can start securing their spots while we wait for the green light to sell the remaining seats. The full hospitality areas, fan zone, and the wider Medlock Square development are slated to open later in 2026.

Here's the key info for match-goers: more than 3,500 tickets will go on sale at 10:00 (UK) on Friday, 8 May, exclusively for existing Cityzens Matchday and Junior Members (as of 18 June 2025). It's one ticket per person, so act fast. Remember, all tickets in this section are sold subject to the successful completion of the required test events and operational checks.

The club has also laid out a clear refund policy, which everyone should read before buying. They won't be liable for any extra costs like travel or accommodation, so by purchasing a ticket, you're agreeing to those terms. The remaining 50% of tickets will be released after the public test event on Wednesday, 20 May, provided everything goes to plan.

If all these final tests are passed, ticketholders will be among the very first fans to experience the new stand and could help make history by breaking the Etihad Stadium's previous attendance record. Just a heads-up: there will be a reduced food and beverage offering for this trial, but the thrill of being part of this milestone moment more than makes up for it. Get ready to be part of something special!