Yahoo News How Nottingham Forest are making City Ground changes for 2024/25 Premier League season
Nottingham Forest are said to be working on increasing the City Ground capacity ahead of the new Premier League season.
The Reds’ long-term future at the stadium is still uncertain amid a dispute with Nottingham City Council, who own the land, over rent and a new lease. Owner Evangelos Marinakis and chairman Tom Cartledge have both spoken about the possibility of building a new ground elsewhere, with a site in Toton identified as a potential option.
Earlier this month, a joint statement issued by the club and the council said “constructive discussions” are taking place as a resolution is sought. But in the meantime, according to The Athletic, work is going on to take the City Ground capacity beyond 30,000 for the 2024/25 campaign.
READ MORE: Corinthians boss sets out clear Carlos Miguel stance amid Forest links
READ MORE: Join our Forest WhatsApp group to get the latest news direct to your phone
Forest are to add a corner box between the Trent End and the Brian Clough Stand. The plans were first mooted last year and took inspiration from Stadium 974, built from old shipping containers and used at the Qatar 2022 World Cup.
It is said the corner box will accommodate 180 fans and the initial designs have been modified to accommodate extra seats in the near vicinity. The big screen beside the Trent End is due to be moved slightly to fit the fixture in.
The club are also said to be considering moving the big screen in the Bridgford Stand further back to fit in more seats. Additionally, the segregation line between the away end and the Brian Clough Stand could be changed to help with the bid to boost capacity from the current 29,700 to beyond the 30,000 mark.
This summer will also see sections of safe standing added to the City Ground. Forest announced their plans in April and said there would be approximately 2,300 safe standing spaces for home supporters in the Upper Bridgford Stand, Blocks U1 and U2, and Lower Bridgford Stand Block Z. They added safe standing for away fans would be located in Lower Bridgford Stand Block W.
The Athletic report there are also plans to build a separate executive suite for Marinakis to watch matches from this summer. It would be an enclosed area in the Peter Taylor Stand and replace his current seat in the directors’ box.
