Last week, Birmingham City unveiled their plans to build a new 62,000-seater stadium as part of a multi-billion pound redevelopment in the city.
The plan is the latest sign of ambition shown by Tom Wagner since he took over the club through his investment firm, Knighthead Capital Management, in 2023.
Wagner's hope is for Birmingham to start playing in their new stadium from 2030, with the chairman looking to secure a lucrative naming rights deal in the meantime.
The proposed plans got tongues wagging with its unique design. The Birmingham City Powerhouse stadium will be surrounded by chimneys to reflect the city's industrial heritage and act as support for the ground's roof.
Another notable takeaway from the stadium plans was the significant increase in capacity. The proposals will see Birmingham go from a capacity of near 30,000 at St Andrew's to a mammoth 62,000-seater stadium at the new site in Bordesley Green.
The proposed capacity has led to questions as to whether Birmingham will be able to fill their new state-of-the-art stadium.
Don Goodman tells Birmingham how they can fill new stadium
Former West Bromwich Albion and Wolverhampton Wanderers striker Don Goodman has been left impressed with Birmingham's stadium plans and believes that the club's performances on the pitch will be key to attracting supporters to the new ground.
“It was clear that if the football club were going to meet the owner's ambitions, they would have to rehouse and find a new piece of land to build a new, all-encompassing stadium,” the EFL expert told Football League World.
“It looks very much like they've done that. It looks very impressive on the surface of it.
“62,000 would be incredible. Obviously, they need success on the pitch to be able to fill that, you would suspect. It's an upwardly mobile club that have huge ambitions, and you can't really fail but to be impressed.”
FGG says: A capacity to match the club's potential
On the face of it, it seems ill-advised to build a 62,000-seater stadium for a club that has only just won promotion from League One.
However, Wagner has big plans for the Midlands side and will surely feel that his team could be playing Premier League football by the time the new stadium is ready to open.
The Birmingham chairman may also have long-term ambitions to take the club into European competition, and if they meet those goals, there is every chance they will attract new supporters to the Powerhouse Stadium.
The significant increase in capacity will also put Birmingham in a strong position to hold non-football events to maximise their revenue streams.
With all that said, building a 62,000-seater ground will be a mistake if the club are unable to establish themselves in the Premier League.