Project Overview
The Etihad Stadium is undergoing a landmark £300 million transformation designed to elevate the venue into a world-class year-round destination.
- A major expansion of the North Stand, adding a new large upper tier and increasing capacity to over 60,000.
- Creation of a 3,000-capacity fan zone, along with a 401-room hotel and additional food & beverage offer.
- Structural works culminating with the “topping out” of the final steel beam, marking the highest point of the build.
This multi-faceted programme has a tight schedule and high demands on access, structural integrity, logistics, and specialist trades — especially for the steel-erection contractor working on the canopy, upper tier and large span steel elements.
Our Role
As the plant, tool and lifting hire partner, we played a key role in supporting the steel-erecting contractor by providing essential equipment, logistics and on-site support tailored to the complexity of the stadium expansion:
- Supplied heavy-duty lifting and access platforms (cranes, mobile elevated work platforms, telehandlers) to assist with high-level steelwork installation and access to the new upper tier and roof structures.
- Provided specialist tools and equipment including structural bolting tools, high-capacity drills, concrete anchoring tools, and temporary support systems to facilitate safe and efficient steel-erector trade work.
- Delivered material handling & positioning equipment (forklifts, telehandlers, pallet jacks) for moving large steel components, beams, brackets, and prefabricated modules around site.
- Managed temporary power distribution, site lighting and tool-kits, enabling multiple trades to operate smoothly across the large footprint.
- Maintained rapid-response support and flexible logistics, ensuring that equipment downtime was minimised and the steel-erector could maintain momentum within the overall programme.
- Worked in close coordination with the contractor’s site management team to ensure each piece of hire equipment met safety, compliance and operational requirements specific to the stadium expansion site.
The Outcome
Thanks to robust equipment support and seamless hire logistics, the steel-erector was able to deliver structural installation phases on schedule and to the high standard demanded by the landmark stadium expansion. The topping-out milestone of the final steel beam underlines the project’s progress.
With our reliable hire service backing the structural subcontractor, the project benefits include:
- Enhanced productivity and fewer interruptions due to equipment availability.
- Support for safe, efficient installation of complex steelwork at height and in challenging zones.
- Contribution toward a future-proof venue that will host major events, fans and operations year-round.
“Having dependable hire equipment and a responsive support team made a significant difference in keeping our structural works on track.”
— Project Manager, Steel-Erecting Contractor