Brighton confirm plans for Europe's first purpose built women's stadium

Premier League side Brighton & Hove Albion have confirmed plans for the UK and Europe's first purpose-built women's football stadium.

The stadium specifically 'built for her' will provide bespoke facilities for Brighton's women's team, its staff and the club's supporters.

A statement released by the club said that 'Work has begun on a planning application for the new women's stadium located at Bennett's Field...The location is immediately adjacent to the American Express Stadium, enabling strong operational and fan experience links between the two venues with the opportunity for the club to use a range of its facilities across both men's and women's match days.'

The new women's stadium has been designed with a minimum capacity of 10,000 and the club plan to open it 'no later than the 2030/31 season'. 

Women's managing director Zoe Johnson said, "The prospect of a bespoke stadium, built exclusively for women's players, staff and supporters, is incredibly exciting. 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.

"It is something we are asked about constantly, and we have worked hard to reach this moment, so it is exciting now to share this news with the wider world. It will help us push forward our ambitions to compete consistently both domestically in the Women's Super League, and also in European club competition, while helping us to attract key staff and grow a passionate fan base.

"We also hope the stadium can support academy and development fixtures, giving more of our younger players valuable experience of playing in a purpose-built stadium environment."

Chair of Albion Women Michelle Walder added, "We are determined to maintain the momentum built in recent years, not just nationally but here in the city. A stadium 'built for her' is an ambitious statement of intent - it's an exciting commitment and will establish Brighton and Hove on the global map as a genuine home for the women's game. Delivering these plans is central to accelerating the long-term growth of our women's team and the future of the wider game."

Albion chairman Tony Bloom said, "Since we announced our intention to build a stadium for the women's team in Brighton and Hove, we have seen unprecedented interest locally, nationally and inter­nati­onally. It is a topic I am regularly asked about by many of our fans, clearly indicating the growing level of interest and potential for women's football.

"It is a significant further investment in our long term vision for women's football at Brighton & Hove Albion. A women's stadium in the city is essential to the continued growth of the team. We strongly believe it will strengthen our ability to attract elite talent, help develop our younger players for the future, support the growth of our fan base and create a genuine sense of belonging around the women's game."