Stunning pictures, safe standing vow, hospitality capacity - Man City give huge North Stand update

New pictures of the expanded Etihad Stadium have been released today, with at least 3,000 safe-standing seats to be included in the revamped North Stand.

Manchester City are adding a third tier to the stand, with a hotel, museum, superstore and fan park being built behind the Etihad in a £300m project. Fans can see the steel frames of the new stand taking shape, along with the two arms of the hotel rising from behind the stand.

And City have now released information of what the stand will look like inside, with 7,000 seats taking the capacity of the Etihad to more than 60,000. Of those, at least 3,000 will be rail seats, while provisions will also be made to accommodate families, younger fans and different cultures.

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In a statement, City said 3,000 rail seats will be installed - one of the largest safe-standing areas in the Premier League - with the potential for that number to grow depending on interest from fans.

City also added that the club will use the expansion to 'create a legacy by establishing new pathways for the next generation of Manchester City fans to enjoy matches'. In short, that means City will ringfence large proportions of tickets for fans under 21, while the level one concourse areas will be reconfigured to accommodate a younger, more diverse fanbase. That includes breakout spaces, religious rooms and alcohol-free areas.

Fan groups have been consulted on the changes, particularly after some raised concerns over how many hospitality places would be taken from the 7,000 seats. City have now confirmed hospitality areas will house more than 800 guests including a 500-seat food hall and a premium bar for 300