Nou Mestalla redevelopment enters ‘complex’ stage as Valencia’s on-pitch turmoil continues

Valencia's long-awaited Nou Mestalla project has entered one of its most important construction phases, with work now beginning on the huge stadium roof.

The milestone comes at a difficult time for the club, who are bottom of LaLiga after a disastrous start to the season.

Valencia stadium roof-lift operation is now underway

The so-called ‘Big Lift' has begun at Nou Mestalla, with the cables supporting the roof now being lifted and tensioned in a carefully monitored operation.

The work started around three weeks later than initially planned and will require more than 100 hydraulic jacks to raise the 4,800-tonne roof structure into position.

Two jacks will be used on each of the stadium's 50 large steel pillars, with the ‘complex' operation expected to continue until the end of September. Once completed, work will move on to the roof's secondary structure, technical walkways, arches and outer membrane.

The stadium's distinctive petals are also being painted black, while the roof structure is expected to transform the appearance of the venue as construction progresses.

The overall project is targeting completion in summer 2027, with Valencia CEO Ron Gourlay highlighting the potential for the new stadium to generate additional commercial and marketing opportunities for the club.

However, there are serious questions over what division Valencia will be playing in when the stadium eventually opens. After four matches, the club sit bottom of LaLiga following a 5-0 defeat to Barcelona.

Around 3,000 supporters reportedly waited outside the stadium after that loss, protesting against the players, coach and directors.

FGG says: Nou Mestalla progress is needed amid Valencia’s poor form

It is almost bizarre to see the Nou Mestalla project entering such an exciting stage while Valencia are struggling so badly on the pitch.

The stadium is finally starting to look like the long-promised new home, but the club desperately needs the team to improve before it opens.

Gourlay is right that Nou Mestalla can provide Valencia with new commercial opportunities, but those benefits will mean far more if the club remains in the top flight.