Nottingham Forest has revealed the latest, even more ambitious plans to redevelop the legendary City Ground – a project that could transform the stadium into one of England's largest football arenas. The club held open meetings for fans and residents over the weekend, presenting a vision for a venue holding up to 52,000 spectators.

Ambitions bigger than ever

The new ideas come just five months after Rushcliffe Borough Council approved an earlier expansion project increasing capacity from around 30,000 to 35,000 seats. BBC reports that if the club gets the green light for the new plan, work could start in summer 2026.

Owner Evangelos Marinakis has long dreamed of a much larger home stadium for his team. Several years ago he stressed City Ground should ultimately hold at least 50,000 spectators. While only the 35,000 capacity project has formal approval so far, the new concept goes further – considering expansion to 52,000 seats.

© Benoy, Nottingham Forest | City Ground Project from 2021

What Nottingham dreams of

The preliminary concept calls for expanding three of four stands, with phase one boosting City Ground capacity to 45,000 seats. The next stage would enlarge the Brian Clough Stand, pushing numbers up to 52,000. Central to the rebuild is a new 58-meter Peter Taylor Stand – 20 meters taller than previously planned and nearly matching Nottingham's council house dome in height. The design team previously oversaw Anfield's expansion in Liverpool, underscoring the project's scale and expertise.

Next modernization steps are mapped out. The official planning application is due this month, with the club continuing information sessions for fans, residents, and local stakeholders.

© Benoy, Nottingham Forest | City Ground Project from 2019

Regional authority support

East Midlands mayor Claire Ward says all parties – local authorities, club management, and Forest owners – are now fully aligned. She notes it's the first time everyone is really playing to the same goal, wanting to deliver this ambitious project. If approved, Nottingham Forest will launch the biggest stadium modernization in its history, gearing City Ground for the future as home to one of England's most dynamically growing clubs. Ward openly backs Forest's bold vision, highlighting a modernized stadium could become the heart of the future Trent Sports Quarter zone, including Trent Bridge Cricket Ground, Meadow Lane stadium, and Holme Pierrepont watersports center. Per her, the project will bring massive benefits to Nottingham and the whole region.

© Benoy, Nottingham Forest | City Ground Project from 2018

Project history: from 2019 to new ambitions

Forest announced 2019 plans to increase City Ground to 38,000 seats, involving full Peter Taylor Stand rebuild plus a club museum and new hospitality zones. Despite expectations work would start at the end of 2019/20 season, approval came three years later after return to the Premier League. Rushcliffe Borough Council then greenlit investment lifting capacity to 35,000 seats. The club also sought consent for a 13-story residential building whose sales would partly fund modernization. Council analysis foresaw up to £800 million economic boost to the local economy over a decade.

In 2024 redevelopment hit snags. Nottingham City Council demanded a rent hike for leased land from £250,000 to around £1 million annually. Talks stalled, with the club even considering leaving its 125+ year home. Deadlock broke in July when the city agreed to sell the stadium land to Forest for ~£10 million – conditional on expansion approval. Fans welcomed the news with huge relief.

In June 2025 Rushcliffe council unanimously approved the updated project, including a new 10,000-seat Peter Taylor Stand and capacity to 35,000. The club committed to local infrastructure investments, including over £1 million for bus services. Planned 170-unit residential development was decoupled from the stand rebuild and will be considered separately.