Abandoned 'world's greatest stadium' finally gets opening date after 16 years

Abandoned ‘world’s greatest stadium’ finally gets opening date after 16 years

June 26, 2025

in Latest News

Reading Time: 8 mins read

A STADIUM dubbed the “world’s greatest” has finally got an opening date after being left abandoned for 16 years.

Valencia’s Nou Mestalla is no longer a dream after the Spaniards secured £275million of founding the finally complete the construction of their long-awaited arena.

Valencia have secured £275million of funding to build the Nou MestallaCredit: Valencia CF

Aerial illustration of Valencia's proposed 80,000-seater Nou Mestalla stadium. — The incredible stadium has even been given a completion dateCredit: YouTube

Boasting over 70,000 seats, the Nou Mestalla has been billed by Valencia as a “global benchmark for modern stadium developments.”

It was meant to open in time for the 2009/10 LaLiga season as the club, then a national powerhouse, looked to take advantage of global stars including David Silva, Juan Mata and David Villa.

However, Valencia ran into financial difficulties in 2008 as they racked up staggering debts of £350m.

The club also failed to find a buy for their old Mestalla stadium, which holds 50,000 seats and continues to serve as their home to this day.

And even a £90m bank loan was denied to Valencia’s owners at the time, thwarting their stadium plans altogether.

It saw building work on the Nou Mestalla put on ice, with the ground being left to rot for the past 16 years.

But now, Valencia have announced they’ve secured funding worth £275m which will finally see construction completed.

The club are aiming to kick things off at the Nou Mestalla in 2027 and are confident it will greatly increase revenue streams, thereby returning Valencia to their rightful place in the LaLiga title race.

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According to a press release, the arena will also transform the local community by turning the stadium into a “year-round entertainment venue.”

And the Nou Mestalla could now be included as one of the host stadiums when Spain, Portugal and Morocco hold the World Cup in 2030.

Work restarts on ‘world’s greatest football stadium’ that had been abandoned for 16 years as £250m revamp is agreed

Aerial view of the unfinished Nou Mestalla stadium in Valencia, Spain. — The Nou Mestalla had previously been abandoned for 16 yearsCredit: Getty

Aerial view of the Nou Mestalla Stadium under construction. — Building work stopped when Valencia racked up huge debtsCredit: Getty Images – Getty

Valencia president Kiat Lim beamed: “This marks a historic milestone for Valencia. Securing this landmark financing gives us the green light to deliver a Nou Mestalla — a world-class stadium that will power the Club’s growth for generations.

“It is the clearest expression of our long-term commitment to Valencia, and a reflection of the trust and confidence the Club now commands in global financial markets.

“With this agreement, we are building more than a stadium — we are building the future of Valencia.”