Once billed to be the "best stadium in the world", 's Nou Mestella instead became an emblem of neglect, left untouched for 16 years.

Now, after a staggering one-and-a-half decades since its inauguration, the redevelopment plans in Eastern Spain are finally picking up steam. The first spade hit the ground back in August 2007, and by February 2009, they had the bones of the structure in place. But as financial troubles haunted the side, progress on the stadium was abruptly halted.

Drowning in a massive £350million debt, Valencia watched their initial launch date, set before the start of the 2009/10 season, drift away. The delays kept stacking up over the 2010s until the scheme was entirely put on ice. However, with tycoon Peter Lim's support, there's been a pivotal shift.

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The club’s new president, Kiat Lim - Peter’s son - recently scoped out the sleeping giant of Nou Mestella, where they've etched a new opening timeline for 2027. They put boots on the ground once more this January, following a handshake deal with Spanish construction titans FCC Construccion to revamp the project, reports .

FCC, known for their stellar reputation in the construction industry, have been behind the creation of Atletico Madrid's new stadium that was unveiled in 2017. The company’s portfolio boasts work on Espanyol's new stadium and the extensive makeover of Real Madrid's Estadio Santiago Bernabeu.

In a statement declaring the revival of their own stadium works, Valencia FC expressed: "The Nou Mestalla is the most significant non-sporting project in Valencia CF's over century-long history. With a seating capacity of 70,044, it will be a state-of-the-art stadium capable of hosting top-tier FIFA and UEFA matches, as well as major events.

"The design will incorporate the latest trends invisibility, safety, and comfort, ensuring an enhanced experience for all fans. The new stadium will offer a diverse range of experiences that cater to all audiences and will be centrally located in Valencia, significantly impacting the lives of its citizens.

"It will provide year-round entertainment, featuring experiential restaurants, leisure activities, a megastore, a museum, and an auditorium. The stadium aims to be an innovative hub for fans on both matchdays and non-matchdays."

However, even if the construction is completed on time, it will come too late to be included as a host venue for the 2030 World Cup, which is set to be held in Spain, Portugal and Morocco, with anniversary matches in Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay. Madrid, , Seville, Malaga, San Sebastian, Bilbao, A Coruna, Las Palmas and Zaragoza have all been selected as potential host cities instead of Valencia.

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