This guide will give you some tips on how to build a new stadium in Football Manager.
If you like to play longer saves on Football Manager, there could come a time when your stadium does not meet the ambitions you have as a club. An ideal outcome could be to expand your current stadium but in some cases a new stadium would be the better (or even only) option. In this guide we will explain the details of requesting a new stadium at your club.
Basic rule: 25 years
First off: the basic rule for building a new stadium is that your current stadium must be at least 25 years old. Also keep in mind that the date will reset if your stadium has been rebuilt.
You can find the details of your stadium through Facilities > Stadium or clicking on the stadium name in the Club Overview or home screen.
Essentials for building a new stadium
Convincing your board to build a stadium will not be that easy. There are some essentials needed before they will even considered your request. These are:
- Finances
- Loyalty & Trust
- Sell-outs
Finances
Think about the costs of building a new stadium: roughly 400m (depending on the size). But, considering it will at least cost you a couple hundred million you can understand the importance of a healthy financial situation. Is making money on Football Manager hard? Not if you play in the Premier League (hello tv money!). However, smaller clubs will need quite some work to achieve a healthy financial situation.
Loyalty & Trust
Do you think a board will accept your request on the day you start your job? Not likely, except you are the biggest manager of all-time.. It is important you have earned the trust of the board to have them build a new stadium for you. Trust will come with the years. Win games, try to win some trophies and then ask them nicely.
This means loyalty is also an important factor in the stadium building area. You job-hopping will not earn the trust of a board. If you stay on for some years and then become favored personel or even a club legend will make it much easier for you to make demands and to get your requests granted.
Pro Tip: During a Job Interview or Contract Negotiations you have the possibility to 'demand' that the club needs to build a new stadium if they want to hire you. You will need a very big reputation before the club’s board will agree with demands like that. So be careful when demanding a new stadium during those negotiations. It could cost you your job!
Sell-outs!
It is good and all if you have the finances and trophies to ask your board to build a new stadium, but they will never agree to it as long as your current stadium isn’t full. Your current stadium must be completely (or very close) sold-out during every game of the season for your board to consider building a new stadium.
How do you get sell-outs?
Very easy: win games and win trophies! By winning several competitions for several years, you can increase your fan-base exponentially. That will result in better attendances and more sell-outs during the season.
Don't give up!
Trying to get your board to agree in building a new stadium can be a frustrating piece of business. The board could reject your requests, but there could also be other obstacles on the road. Sometimes the Local Council will not allow the build of a new stadium. If that happens: do not give up! Keep trying, keep asking and eventually you will get your new stadium!