Amazing news mate, thanks for sharing. Very much looking forward to seeing the proposals. The footprint of the stadium is just going to get bigger and bigger but there's a huge opportunity to create a really good environment in and around the ground as a result. I'm sure the side stands will be expanded in the future - probably with a view to adding some additional capacity but also improving the premium hospitality offering as well and at that point we'll have a really attractive external wrap around the building. There are plenty of ideas out there from other clubs for us to learn from, but we're in safe hands with our owners when it comes to construction projects. I believe the Bernabeu originally had plans for a hotel in the facade of one of the stands, but think they may have been scrapped as things evolved. They even talked of a shopping mall within part of the ground as well as bars/restaurants and an expanded museum tour to bring people to the stadium year round. Externally landscaped areas are being provided which look really nice - less need for shelter over there unless you're ginger mind!
I hope we do get an expanded 2nd tier. Logistically I just struggle to see how they could do that without having to close the current 2nd tier for a period. They'd clearly build up and behind the current NS as they did with the SS and as Liverpool have done with their expansion. It's the best way to minimise disruption. But tying into an existing stand rather than creating a new one causes a few more challenges - you wouldn't have very long to make that connection and get it completed before fans are back again. I guess they could fence off areas until completed and still use the stand, but we shall see.
Exciting times though.
