Manchester United Boost Match Day Revenue - 10/09/2006

With Old Trafford's capacity boosted to 75,800, Manchester United's matches against Spurs, Celtic in the Champions League and Arsenal are likely to bring the club their three biggest attendances at the stadium. The crowds of about 250,000 should generate match day revenue of £2.8m on each occasion, more than £1.1m of that figure from corporate sales. Such numbers leave United confident of retaining their position as the most profitable club in Britain in terms of match-day revenue. Arsenal have suggested that they will generate the highest game income in the world with their move to the 60,000 capacity Emirates Stadium predicted to increase their match day revenue from £33 million at Highbury to more than £70 million. However, even with lower ticket prices, United are confident that they will beat these figures over the course of the season. The comparison with Chelsea is also interesting. They can expect to take half a million pounds or so less per game than United at Stamford Bridge which accommodates 42,000 people. Assuming 28 league and cup home matches, this would give United an extra £14 million a season compared with Chelsea. Their attempt to break even while paying world class players to appear for them is thus not a goal that is easy to achieve.