Diamond experience at Etihad

A new VIP corporate box at Etihad Stadium is being hailed as one of the world's most luxurious.

The new two-storey Diamond Club - complete with private chefs, cocktail waitresses and giant reclining leather seats - has quietly opened on the top deck of the Docklands stadium.

But a day in football heaven won't come cheap.

An annual membership to the club is believed to cost about $12,000.

"We believe we have developed what amounts to the most stylish way of going to a sporting event in the world," stadium boss Ian Collins said.

"I've seen some exclusive and comfortable stadium clubs at venues around the world but I think the Diamond Club is as good as, if not better than, any I have seen."

He said the suite was modelled on the Etihad Airways' international business class lounges - but came with the added value of watching the world's greatest game.

According to the Etihad Stadium website, only 90 memberships are available.