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Manchester City.Champions open new training complex
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The £200 million project boasts a 7,000-capacity stadium, education facilities and medical and sports science services.
Player accommodation with decor designed by sleep experts and a 56-seat auditorium to view video clips are just two innovative elements.
"I have never seen anything like it," said City defender Pablo Zabaleta.
The project, funded by City's owners and built in partnership with Manchester City Council, was conceived following the takeover of the Premier League club by Sheikh Mansour in 2008.
Built on the site of a former chemical works, it includes:
•16.5 pitches, including a full-size synthetic indoor pitch
•A 56-seat TV auditorium for players to review video clips
•Four-star accommodation with king-sized beds and bathrooms
•A 7,000-capacity arena for use by academy and women's teams
•40,000km of artificial turf on 5.5 pitches, each one different so the team can tailor match preparations for away games
City's first team has been based there since October and already stay in the hotel-standard rooms before home games.
The complex is connected to the Etihad Stadium by bridge and houses all of the club's teams, from age-group sides to men's and women's senior squads - a total in excess of 450 individuals weekly.
JB