Football: New Women’s Stadium Planned
By Prof Dr Ian Blackshaw
Brighton and Hove Albion FC have published plans for the first purpose-built women's football stadium in Europe.
The Club have stated that the new stadium, with a view to driving long-term fan growth, will "provide a permanent home and identity for the women's team".
The new stadium will be located at Bennett's Field, adjacent to the Club’s Amex Stadium, and will hold a minimum capacity of 10,000 and will be connected to the Amex via a bridge walkway.
If granted planning permission, the Club hope that the new stadium will be open at the beginning of the 2030-31 season.
Zoe Johnson, the managing director of women's and girls' football at the Club, remarked that:
"The prospect of a bespoke stadium, built exclusively for women's players, staff and supporters, is incredibly exciting."
And added that:
"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."
With a view to supporting elite women footballers, the new stadium will have breastfeeding rooms, baby changing areas and 'buggy parks' for prams, as well as social spaces on the concourse to host events and underground car parking.
It is hoped that the stadium will also support academy and development fixtures.
The Club’s women’s team have played at the Amex Stadium on occasions, but currently play the majority of their matches at the Crawley Town FC Broadfield Stadium, which is about 20 miles away.
The new stadium is a very exciting project indeed!
Prof Dr Ian Blackshaw may be contacted by e-mail at ‘
