Nottingham Forest unveil City Ground stadium improvements

Nottingham Forest welcomed AFC Bournemouth to The City Ground on Saturday for the Club’s 2024/25 Premier League season opener, following a multi-million pound summer-long redevelopment programme.

As well as transforming the guest experience for match going supporters, the work undertaken over the past few months will also see The City Ground become a unique venue that is capable of hosting events all year round.

One of the biggest investments sees the introduction of safe standing, which represents a significant step forward in enhancing the matchday experience for fans whilst ensuring safety remains paramount.

The introduction of safe standing areas will provide supporters with the choice to stand during matches, fostering the famous atmosphere and passion of The City Ground support.

4,196 safe standing spaces have been installed in the Upper Bridgford Stand, Blocks U1 and U2, and Lower Bridgford Stand Block Z. Safe standing for away supporters will be located in the Lower Bridgford Stand Block W.

In further enhancements to the stadium, two brand-new high-definition screens have also been installed to improve the overall fan experience at The City Ground, which are located inside the Trent End and a new super wide screen sitting in the Bridgford End.

New seats have also been installed in the Peter Taylor Stand as well in the lower tier and corners of the Brian Clough Stand, allowing the opportunity for more supporters to attend home matches amid an incredible demand for tickets.

Supporters can also look forward to the return of the club’s Fan Zone for the 2024/25 season.

Redefined hospitality offering

Nottingham Forest has also undertaken a multi-million-pound investment into its hospitality facilities, delivering transformational upgrades throughout the summer to several of its existing hospitality lounges and creating some exciting new spaces.

This also includes the redefinition of its hospitality offer in collaboration with its newly appointed, world class catering partner, Sodexo Live!, to create stunning new menus with exemplary levels of service.

The Customer Journey, Fan Experience, Hospitality, Premium Sales & Service, and Venue Commercialisation are among the key focuses for the 2024 SVB LIVE Conference & Exhibition kicking off in just under 50 days time.

McGovern’s Lounge, in tribute to the famous double European Cup winner, John McGovern, is an exclusive venue located in the Brian Clough Stand.

The Garibaldi Lounge, located adjacent to the team arrivals area near the Main Entrance, will be a unique space from which to soak up the pre-match atmosphere as Forest players and their opponents arrive for the match.

The recently opened Museum, housed in the Trent End, will also play host to an exclusive hospitality offering from the start of the season, with guests treated to a tour of the Museum and visits from some of the Forest legends whose memorabilia is proudly on display.

Extensive work has also been undertaken to upgrade and improve existing hospitality lounges with the longstanding 1865 Lounge undergoing a full refurbishment and renamed Founders 1865 for the new season.

The major transformation has given the space a luxurious new look and feel as well as an exciting new dining option for guests to enjoy.

The large and ever-popular Legends Lounge has also undergone a complete refurbishment. Now named The Trentside Lounge, in homage to the stadium’s iconic riverside location, the space has been transformed into one of the Premier League’s finest and most unique hospitality lounges, with its expansive views over the river Trent and the city beyond.

The Trentside Lounge is also set to become one of the most sought-after events spaces in Nottinghamshire all year round, able to accommodate 500 guests for conferences, banquets and more.

Meanwhile, work continues on the unique Corner Box project, which will provide space for 180 additional hospitality guests in striking up-cycled sustainable containers, situated between the Trent End and Brian Clough stands and set to open for guests in the autumn.

Forest said in a statement:

The investment and unwavering commitment to enhancing The City Ground also follows a comprehensive redevelopment programme at the Nigel Doughty Academy, with the installation of a new gym, physio rooms, recovery room, dining area and offices.

Source and image courtesy of Nottingham Forest FC

Sports Venue Business has launched a raft of new offerings under the SVB LIVE banner, including Networking Events & a Webinar Series, culminating in the annual SVB LIVE Conference & Exhibition, being held at Croke Park in Dublin, Ireland, on October 9th and 10th, with an Opening Night Icebreaker at Aviva Stadium on October 8th, 2024.