Valencia CF Completes Major Construction Milestone for Nou Mestalla Stadium
After a 15-year construction hiatus, the club has successfully finished the complex roof installation process.
Valencia CF has reached a critical turning point in the development of the Nou Mestalla, a project that had been stalled for 15 years and earned the reputation as the world's largest unfinished stadium. This week, the club finalized the 'Big Lift,' a technically demanding engineering operation that marks a significant step toward the venue's eventual completion.
The installation of the stadium's roof was considered the most complex phase of the entire construction project. The operation required advanced structural modeling and precise engineering, taking approximately two months to complete. The process involved lifting the main cable structure, which had been temporarily assembled on the field, to its permanent position atop the stadium frame.
The finished roof structure will weigh 4,800 tons and will be supported by 50 steel pillars. To ensure the safety and precision of the lift, engineers utilized a synchronized system of hydraulic jacks. This allowed for constant monitoring of the load distribution and geometry as a complex network of radial cables, connectors, and reinforcement components were raised and secured to the stadium's compression ring.
With the successful completion of this phase, construction teams are now shifting their focus to finishing the roof, with full installation expected by April 2027. Future work will involve mounting the secondary structure and technical walkways, followed by the installation of the arches and the final exterior membrane, which will provide the stadium with its signature visual appearance.
Valencia CF aims to have the stadium ready for use by July 2027, ensuring it is prepared for the start of the 2027/2028 soccer season. The club has already begun the process of selling annual seat reservations. During the first phase of commercialization, the organization received 53,466 requests. The club is now transitioning into the second phase, where fans will select their specific seating locations.
Once finished, the Nou Mestalla is expected to have a total capacity of 70,044 spectators. However, the club noted that 7,592 of those seats will be unavailable for annual reservations due to existing UEFA regulations and commitments to corporate sponsors.
The project holds significant importance for the region, as the Nou Mestalla is currently one of the 20 venues proposed to host matches for the 2030 FIFA World Cup. The stadium was added to the candidate list alongside Balaídos in Vigo, following the withdrawal of bids from Málaga and Coruña.