Six-time La Liga champions Valencia CF has released updated plans for their Nou Mestalla stadium. The capacity of the future venue has also been made public. It will reach 49,000, but the facility will be able to accommodate up to 70,000 fans due to the possibility of easy expansion.

Mediterranean culture inspiration and three "pillars of identity"

The detailed project will be presented to the wider public once the club has obtained all the necessary permits from the Valencia city administration. However, it is already known that Valencia CF's new home will draw inspiration from the city and Mediterranean culture. The facility will have, as club officials call it, "Mediterranean balconies" inspired by the current Mestalla stadium.

In addition, Nou Mestalla is expected to dramatically improve the spectator’s experience with optimal views and comfort, as well as a large restaurant and entertainment area on the second level of the stands. The identity of the stadium will be based on "three pillars" which include: 

• unforgettable experiences tailored to lifestyle; 
• connectivity and innovation; 
• hospitality and MICE (from meetings, incentives, conferences and events), which will be segmented with attractions for all audiences. 

© Valencia CF

In addition to these guidelines, the stadium will be 100% environmentally sustainable. A complete solar roof covered with photovoltaic panels has been developed in collaboration with a technology partner. Thanks to the more than 300 days of sunshine a year that Valencia enjoys, the facility's roof will be used to produce green energy that will benefit not only the facility itself but also local residents. When finished, it is going to be the largest roof covered with solar panels in Europe. 

Variable capacity and a possible World Cup 2030 on the horizon

The question of the new stadium's auditorium size is an important one, and it has been changing throughout the development of the project. In March, the club announced that the Nou Mestalla was to have a capacity comparable to the current facility, or around 55,000 seats, with the possibility of "flexible and rapid expansion", depending on demand, to 70,000 seats. 

© Valencia CF

Now, these plans have undergone a slight change, which Valencia's director of operations, Christian Schneider, explains: "We applied for a licence for 70,000 seats, but initially decided on 49,000. The change concerns the third level of the stands. There are two reasons why we decided on a capacity of 49,000. The first is that with the current levels of average attendance the stadium would only be half full, and that would hinder our sporting activities. However, the stadium can be enlarged gradually. If Spain hosts the World Cup in 2030, we can easily expand it. We do not want this stadium to just stand unused, but rather to be used every day of the week and remain open to the public."

Construction cost comparable to Wanda Metropolitano

Valencia CF club officials claim that the construction of the Nuevo Mestalla, in which €172 million has already been invested, will cost €350 million when the entire project is completed. The cost of the facility, measured in euros per seat, will be between around €3,500 and €4,000, they argue. This is an amount comparable to those incurred to build the new San Mamés in Bilbao or Wanda Metropolitano in Madrid. The club is hoping that construction works will start in October this year, but the date for the Nuevo Mestalla to be ready for use, could slip. Today, the most likely date of inauguration is the summer of 2025. 

© Valencia CF