Nottingham Forest have moved a step closer to transforming the City Ground after officially launching a public consultation on their long-awaited redevelopment proposals.
The first images of the project have been released, sparking renewed excitement among supporters and the local community.
According to The Athletic, Forest intend to overhaul three of the four stands in a phased rebuild that could eventually lift the stadium’s capacity from 31,000 to 52,000, placing it among the top 10 largest football grounds in England.
Phase one would take capacity to 45,000, before a major redevelopment of the Brian Clough Stand adds a further 7,000 seats.
The plans, presented at a launch event attended by East Midlands mayor Claire Ward, are far more ambitious than the club’s previous proposal from six years ago.
The Peter Taylor Stand would no longer be demolished; instead, the club aims to build over the existing structure, creating a towering stand rising 58 metres and holding 15,000 seats, triple its current size.
£1bn project places Nottingham Forest among Premier League heavyweights
If completed, the redevelopment would catapult the City Ground into the same category as the Etihad Stadium, St James’ Park and Everton’s new Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Forest also plan to fill in the corners around the Trent End, adding up to 5,000 seats in the first phase.
Much of the project, estimated to cost up to £1 billion, will be funded by owner Evangelos Marinakis, who has long pushed for a modern, elite-level stadium on the banks of the Trent.
A vast expansion of hospitality and corporate offerings is included, aimed at significantly increasing matchday income.
With 17,500 supporters on the season-ticket waiting list, club officials believe a larger stadium will not only ease demand but also allow for more flexibility on future pricing.
Local councillor Steve Battlemuch has welcomed the plans, calling them “long overdue” and “an improvement for fans and the wider area.”
Forest hope to make the venue a year-round destination, hosting concerts, community events, and non-matchday activities, following models set by clubs like Liverpool and Aston Villa.
Timelines, planning hurdles and next steps
Forest plan to submit their formal proposals to Rushcliffe Borough Council around December 15, with hopes of beginning construction next summer, six and a half years after the first plans were submitted.
However, timelines remain uncertain, with current estimates suggesting phase one, including the Peter Taylor Stand and Trent End, could be completed by 2031, while the Brian Clough Stand redevelopment follows afterward.
The construction process will be carefully staged to minimise capacity loss during works. Architects from KSS Group, who previously worked on Liverpool’s expansions, are now leading the updated design.
The club has emphasised the importance of getting the process right and avoiding situations like the shifting Old Trafford redevelopment plans seen this year. Forest will wait for firmer detail before staging any major unveiling.
FGG Says
Forest’s plans are bold and long-awaited, and if delivered as outlined, the City Ground will become one of England’s elite football venues.
The scale of ambition matches the club’s Premier League status, but planning, timelines, and funding execution will all be critical in determining how quickly this vision becomes reality.