[1] The proposal was for a 55,000-seat arena was to be part-funded by Las Vegas Sands, but the hopes of securing a licence for a super casino on site were rejected and Birmingham City F.C.

The northern boundary of Phase 1 was determined by the Rugby-Birmingham-Stafford Line which serves the area via the nearby Adderley Park railway station.

Within the phase would be a soccer dome, indoor arena, basketball courts, health and fitness centre, Olympic-sized swimming pool and an entertainment complex, which would be attached to the stadium.

This part of the sports village would have been home to community football pitches, tennis courts, residences, a hotel and large retail space.

It is separated through the centre via a road creating two thin strips of land which are bounded to the east by a canal.

This stadium was proposed to be built on green belt land known as the Meriden Gap, and not on the later chosen Wheels' Adventure Park.

[12] As well as this, 9 acres (36,000 m2) of the development could have formed a new community sports campus, on top of a 200-bed hotel, an outdoor theatre, approximately 2,500 new residential properties, a 170,000 square foot (15,793 m²) entertainment complex and large retail space.

[15] However, Ellis' support was subject to the venue being built on a site further south and becoming England's new national stadium.

[20] The council again held a meeting to answer and questions and to ease any concerns people had over the proposed stadium.

[21] The ambitious plans, designed by Populous, were unveiled in October 2005 after talks between the council and Las Vegas Sands.

This was partly as a result of a petition handed to the council with 6,000 signatures from people in Saltley and Washwood Heath.

[30] Rumours of the Birmingham City board trying once again to get the backing of the council have been spreading in the press, however nothing has been confirmed at this time.

For twelve months, there was little news of the plans except for Birmingham City Football Club saying there were still in talks with the council over the prospect of the Sports Village and stadium.