Abandoned £2 billion stadium, vacant for 16 years and accommodating 70,000 spectators, establishes an opening date.
Let's dive into the latest updates on Valencia's huge stadium project.
For 16 long years, this badass arena remained in the carton stage, leaving fans restless. But the wait is finally over, as Valencia restarted construction on their long-awaited stadium, the Nou Mestalla, in January 2023.
The project, which first kicked off in 2007, was kept on hold due to financial woes that had plunged the club into debts of £350 million. But this time, it's different, as the club confidently announced it had secured full financing of £275m.
The resumption of construction forms part of a masterplan launched by club president Kiat Lim, setting the stage for a top-tier football experience.
Back in 2007, Valencia began constructing their appetite for a new home, but the scheduled move in 2009/10 never materialized, leaving fans to wait for 16 excruciating years to see the project restart. Fans can now cheer on Valencia at their current home, the Mestalla, while anticipating the arrival of the awe-inspiring Nou Mestalla.
The 49,430-capacity arena, the eighth largest in Spain, has been their ground since 2007. But the new stadium is set to catapult up the rankings, with a projected capacity of 70,000. With this expansion, only the Nou Camp, Santiago Bernabeu, and Atletico Madrid's Metropolitano Stadium will boast a larger crowd capacity.
Valencia sealed a deal with Spanish firm FCC Construccion to execute the revamped plans for the stadium. The latest steps in the project were confirmed in January as construction resumed.
The Nou Mestalla promises to be a modern marvel, offering fans an augmented experience with a diverse range of entertainment options, such as experiential restaurants, leisure activities, a megastore, a museum, and an auditorium. The stadium's aim is to be a cutting-edge hub for football enthusiasts on match days and beyond.
FCC has an impressive resume, having previously worked on redeveloping the Bernabeu as well as the Metropolitano and RCDE Stadium. Despite construction being back in action, the Nou Mestalla does not make the list of host venues for the 2030 World Cup, which Spain is set to co-host with Portugal and Morocco in five years time.
As for the project's financials, the renovation and construction are supported by a complex financial structure totaling €322 million, marking one of the most significant financial transactions ever completed by a professional football club in Spain and Europe.
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Fun Footie Facts
- Did you know? Valencia's new stadium will boast around 7,000 luxury hospitality boxes, catering to a significant chunk of its 70,000-seat capacity.
- Tasty Tidbit The stadium will feature diverse entertainment options, including experiential restaurants, leisure activities, a megastore, a museum, and an auditorium.
- Random Rumor Valencia's rivals at the 2030 World Cup might get the stage fright, as the prospect of playing in the Nou Mestalla's innovative hub could shake up their plans.
- Despite the ongoing construction on Valencia's new stadium, the Nou Mestalla, it will not be a host venue for the 2030 World Cup, which Spain is set to co-host with Portugal and Morocco.
- With a projected capacity of 70,000, the Nou Mestalla will be the fourth-largest stadium in Spain, only surpassed by the Nou Camp, Santiago Bernabeu, and Atletico Madrid's Metropolitano Stadium.
- In addition to football matches, Valencia's new stadium will offer fans an enhanced experience with a variety of entertainment options, such as experiential restaurants, leisure activities, a megastore, a museum, and an auditorium.
- The newly renovated Nou Mestalla will boast around 7,000 luxury hospitality boxes, catering to a significant portion of its impressive 70,000-seat capacity. Meanwhile, the transfer market in the world of sports continues to be active, with moves happening in various leagues, including the Premier League and European leagues, as well as in MMA and football.
