Man Utd could be STRIPPED of iconic final with City’s Etihad Stadium lined up to replace Old Trafford
MANCHESTER UNITED could reportedly be stripped of the Super League Grand Final.
And rugby chiefs are considering switching the event from Old Trafford to Manchester City’s Etihad Stadium.
United’s home has hosted the annual Super League Grand Final ever since it came into being in 1998, apart from in Covid-hit 2020.
But the Red Devils’ contract for rugby league’s grand event expires next year.
Talks are set to commence over an extension.
Yet the Mail claims the Rugby Football League could have a change of heart.
They are concerned over United’s need to renovate Old Trafford.
And one of the alternatives being considered is the Etihad.
City’s stadium holds 20,000 less seats than the 74,000 at the Theatre of Dreams.
But with the Super League Grand Final only hitting an attendance high of 60,000 in 2019, TV companies would prefer a sell-out at a smaller arena.
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RFL chiefs already have a good working relationship with their City counterparts, with executive and commercial teams moving to the Etihad campus since last year.
And they are also braced for incoming investor Sir Jim Ratcliffe to review United’s executive team, as well as an expansion for Old Trafford.
Both would put the Super League Grand Final under threat.
And with the Etihad already beating Old Trafford in the race as a Euro 2028 host, City could now add another sporting event to their bow at the expense of their biggest rival.
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