Brighton & Hove Albion have unveiled their masterplan for an £80 million new stadium that will be attached to their current ground, the Amex. The new venue will serve as the permanent home for the Seagulls' women's team, accommodating a minimum of 10,000 fans and connected via a walkway to the larger arena adjacent to it. When constructed, it will become the first purpose-built women's stadium in Europe.
Timeline and Location
The club aims to have the stadium ready for the 2030-31 campaign, with work already underway for a planning application. The women's ground is to be built on Bennett's Field, with the plan to 'provide a permanent home and identity', according to the club. A mocked-up image reveals an ultra-modern stadium just a stone's throw from the Amex.
Facilities for Families
The new arena will feature spaces designed specifically for female players and fans, surpassing existing stadiums across the country. Brighton will include breastfeeding rooms, baby changing areas, and designated parking for prams. The Premier League side views this as a significant growth opportunity and has designed the space to be 'especially welcoming for families and first-time attendees'.
Current Home and Future Vision
Brighton's Women's Super League side have occasionally played at the Amex but more often than not have run out at Crawley Town's Broadfield Stadium, about 20 miles away. The new stadium will be a welcome change, providing a dedicated home base. 'The prospect of a bespoke stadium, built exclusively for women's players, staff and supporters, is incredibly exciting,' said Zoe Johnson, the club's managing director of women's and girls' football. 'It is a project that is the first of its kind in the UK and Europe, and one of only three in the world, and will capture the imagination of stakeholders across the women's game, not just here, but globally.'
Chairman's Excitement
Brighton chairman and owner Tony Bloom expressed his enthusiasm at a press conference: 'I'm extremely excited. We've been discussing those plans for quite a long time. We knew we wanted to bring women's football, our team, back to Brighton. We had to work long and hard to find exactly the right location to make it work. It's a really exciting time for the club and the women's team, particularly for the young players because it's for them and the many generations that will come after them.' He added: 'We massively believe in women's football both in Sussex and nationally and across the globe. Being the first designated stadium in the UK helps raise the profile in this country and abroad. It's a big moment, I'm proud that Brighton are at the forefront of women's football and I'm excited for the future.'
