On the 17th, Shizuoka City announced its initial budget proposal for the 2026 fiscal year, which includes plans to acquire land for a new soccer stadium for J1 Espulse at a cost of 4.1 billion yen. This land, located on the site of the former ENEOS oil refinery near JR Shimizu Station, will be a part of a larger development plan intended to increase the area's value. The budget for the new stadium includes 2.9 billion yen allocated in the special account for the fiscal year, while the general account has increased by 3.9% from the previous year, marking a record for the city for ten consecutive years.

Discussions about the location for the new stadium are ongoing, as the city compares this proposal to significant renovations at the current facility, IAI Stadium Nihondaira. Various factors, including transportation access, economic impact, disaster risk, and availability of national subsidies were examined, demonstrating that a new stadium would likely provide greater benefits for the community. However, the mayor emphasized that construction cannot merely be funded by the city alone; private investment will also be necessary.

To assess the feasibility of constructing the multi-purpose stadium in this area, Shizuoka City has also included a research budget of 20 million yen in their general account proposal. This will allow for a detailed examination of operational methods, economic effects, and the perspectives of potential private operators before a conclusion is expected to be reached within the fiscal year. Should the project proceed smoothly, land development is anticipated to begin by the fall of 2028, with stadium construction potentially starting in the early 2030s. Mayor Takashi Namba reiterated that the goal is to create a site of significant value for Shizuoka City, rather than simply replacing the existing stadium.