Birmingham City football fans will present the council with a hefty petition urging them to get behind proposals for a world-class stadium today.
Fans say their beloved St Andrew's stadium should be replaced with a multi-sports venue based on the prestigious Telstra Dome in Melbourne, Australia.
Athletics and international cricket tournaments organised by Warwickshire County Cricket Club will also be held at the venue, which is expected to cost up to £200 million.
The showpiece would have a retractable roof, seat up to 60,000 spectators for Blues home games and 40,000 when lower-level seating is retracted to reveal a running track or a full-sized cricket pitch.
The cost of The City of Birmingham Stadium would be raised through a partnership with an American casino company. The stadium is earmarked for land currently occupied by and surrounding the Birmingham Wheels Park in Saltley.
Councillor Ian Ward, deputy leader of the Labour Group, said: "I believe the proposals are right for the city, and, in common with other major European cities, Birmingham deserves a major sports stadium.
"It should have a closing roof and a running track in order to make it flexible for events in the future. A major new stadium in Small Heath, alongside a new park and other sport and leisure facilities, would drive the regeneration of a deprived part of the city."
