Manchester United could earn up to £100 million from a long-term NFL partnership linked to their proposed ‘New Trafford’ super-stadium, according to sports finance experts. The new 100,000-seater venue could even host the Super Bowl if the NFL’s global expansion plan takes off, marking a major commercial boost for both the club and the city of Manchester.
New Trafford: Manchester United’s £2 billion vision for the future
The financial rewards of Manchester United’s new stadium project are becoming increasingly evident, with experts predicting that the Premier League giants could strike a £100 million NFL deal as part of the club’s push to make the new venue a multi-purpose global arena.
The proposed 100,000-capacity ‘New Trafford’ would sit adjacent to the club’s current Old Trafford site and form the centerpiece of a £3 billion regeneration scheme for the Trafford district, featuring residential areas, retail spaces, and entertainment hubs along the Bridgewater Canal.
Originally designed with a striking trident-shaped roof and three towering masts, the plans have since been adjusted due to land acquisition and cost concerns. Construction is projected to last five years, targeting completion by the 2030–31 season, with fans reportedly favouring a full rebuild over a renovation of the existing stadium.
However, questions remain over financing, with speculation that United could seek public funding for infrastructure surrounding the project.
NFL partnership could be a game-changer
Sport finance expert Professor Rob Wilson told Compare.bet that a strategic tie-up with the NFL could make the New Trafford project even more lucrative.
A Super Bowl or regular-season game could generate around £10 million per event, potentially £15 million with premium pricing and services, Wilson explained. A long-term partnership between Manchester United and the NFL could exceed £100 million over a decade.
The idea builds on the success of Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, which already hosts annual NFL games and was designed to accommodate both football and American football. United’s vision follows a similar path — a modern SoFi Stadium-style complex capable of hosting Premier League, NFL, and major entertainment events.
NFL’s growing footprint in Europe
The NFL’s expansion in the UK has been a decade in the making. After the early American Bowl exhibitions at Wembley in the 1980s, the NFL International Series launched in 2007, bringing competitive fixtures to British fans for the first time.
Since then, the Jacksonville Jaguars have effectively adopted London as a second home, playing at Wembley or Tottenham Hotspur Stadium annually since 2013. The series has also expanded into Germany, drawing sold-out crowds and massive viewership across Europe.
Professor Wilson believes that a move north — with Manchester United’s involvement — would be a logical next step:
Taking NFL games outside of London would engage a completely new demographic. The North of England, and particularly Manchester, has the infrastructure, transport links, and global pull to make it happen.
Could the Super Bowl really come to the UK?
While the idea of a Super Bowl in Britain once seemed far-fetched, Wilson says it’s becoming more plausible as the NFL’s international revenue continues to outpace expectations.
The NFL in London is more lucrative than the Champions League in the States, he said. You get tourism coming into the UK — from North America and Europe — instead of people flying out. Hosting a Super Bowl here would be a huge financial win for both the NFL and the host city.
If the New Trafford project delivers on its ambitions, Manchester could soon become a permanent fixture in the global sports calendar, hosting not only Premier League football but also NFL showpieces, concerts, and mega-events — marking a bold new era for Manchester United and the city it represents.
