The home of Manchester United Women is having a name change.
Previously known as Leigh Sports Village, it will be changed to Progress with Unity Stadium. This is a new sponsor, so it will likely be known as its original name in the locations of games on places like BBC Sport. They cannot use sponsorship names, as it would be free promotion.
For example, the lionesses are playing at the Etihad in October for the homecoming tour, but it's called The City of Manchester Stadium, Manchester.
The ground is also home to the Leigh Leopards rugby league team.
Manchester United women started playing when they were officially reformed as a professional team in 2018 after a decade of disbandment under the Glazer ownership.
The name will change with immediate effect.
This is the main stadium for United women’s home games. It has a capacity of 12,000, and the record attendance in their recent fixture with Arsenal was 8,665.
United will play their first-ever Women’s Champions League match in November at Old Trafford against PSG. The club wants the team to play in front of the biggest crowds possible at its main ground.
However, the likely reason it is at the main stadium is the UEFA requirements for a stadium to be used for the Champions League, which is why Chelsea plays their games at Stamford Bridge and why Arsenal has made significant updates to Borehamwood.
United has also scheduled two Women’s Super League fixtures at Old Trafford this season. United will host Aston Villa on November 8 and Manchester City on March 29 2026.
The council approved this name change, which was voted on.
This name change is not just an initiative with the council; it is, as they decrypted, a partnership working and the strength in the community at its heart.
Their initiative reflects the borough's commitment to community engagement and collaboration.
Council leader David Molyneux said, as per the Manchester Evening News:
“In many ways, Leigh Sports Village encapsulates this approach; it is a complex of facilities to be proud of, hosting professional and grassroots organisations and delivering community-based services.
“We believe the stadium's new name is an appropriate step to promote what we are trying to achieve here in our borough and be a figurehead for our shared values.”
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