Nottingham Forest has been drawing stadium inspiration from the likes of Tottenham Hotspur to enhance the matchday experience for fans at its redeveloped City Ground.
The English Championship football club is increasing the stadium’s capacity from 30,000 to 38,000, with the creation of a new Peter Taylor Stand set to be central to the improvements.
David Cook, the club’s chief commercial officer, confirmed that Forest has been looking at the other club owned by its owner Evangelos Marinakis, Greek Superleague outfit Olimpiakos, and its Karaiskakis Stadium.
Cook said, according to Nottingham Post: “There is undoubtedly facility development over there that we can look at. They have gone for best in class, Champions League-quality facilities. We are lucky enough to have people at the club who experienced that; who were involved in the development of those facilities.
“So of course we have been able to get that information and that will inform some of our decision making when it comes to what we might do with player facilities and media facilities, things like that.
“The player facilities and the media facilities in particular are particularly strong there. We have been to look at some of the best venues in the world, not just in football, but in rugby and cricket as well.”
Cook also noted that the primary goal of the redevelopment of the City Ground is to develop the fan experience, starting with making sure there is a clear view of the pitch and bigger concourses.
Cook added that Forest is looking to double its hospitality provision within the stadium and increase its non-matchday revenue.
He said: “We could be looking at a multi-million conference and events business. If we can develop that correctly, it will provide a substantial income growth for us.”
Image: Nottingham Forest/Benoy
