Forest Owner Marinakis Aims for 50,000-Seat City Ground

The expansion plans would surpass Nottingham Forest's current goal of raising the City Ground's capacity from approximately 30,000 to 42,000 by rebuilding the Peter Taylor Stand and extending the Bridgford Stand.

However, those plans faced uncertainty earlier this year when negotiations between Nottingham City Council—owner of the land where the stadium is located—and the club broke down over increased rent demands.

A recent agreement to sell the land to the Premier League club, finalized in July, seems to have secured the Reds' future at their home ground, where they've played for 126 years.

"We need a bigger stadium," Marinakis told BBC East Midlands Today. "We have many supporters and a large waiting list for season tickets, and I'm confident a 50,000-seat stadium would be filled with fans passionate about our team."

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Earlier this year, Forest had considered relocating to Toton in Nottinghamshire to build a new 50,000-capacity stadium due to the impasse with the council, but Marinakis has now emphasized that the City Ground is "the first priority."

"That is where the team belongs and where the tradition is," said the Greek shipping magnate.

"It's most important for the town of Nottingham and this is something I want to be able to finalise and for the years to come to have one of the best stadiums in England.

"This is my prime target right now."