Brighton to build Europe's first stadium for a women's team: the project is estimated to cost £80 million
The English football club has taken a historic step in the development of women’s sports. An investment of this scale has never before been directed exclusively toward women’s football infrastructure.
"The arena is scheduled to open at the start of the 2030/31 season.
The English football club Brighton & Hove Albion has unveiled plans to build a unique sports arena designed exclusively for its women’s team. This facility will be the first of its kind not only in the UK but also across Europe.
According to Sky Sports, citing Brighton CEO and Deputy Chairman Paul Barber, the ambitious project will cost the club between £75 million and £80 million.
The new stadium is planned to be built on the Bennett’s Field site, located directly next to the men’s team’s home stadium, Amex Stadium. The two facilities will be connected by a special pedestrian bridge, creating a unified club campus. The stadium is expected to seat 10,000 spectators, and its opening is scheduled for the start of the 2030/31 season.
The main goal of the construction is to create a permanent “home” and a distinct identity for the women’s team. Unlike rented stadiums, the new facility will be fully adapted to the needs of professional female soccer players. In particular, the locker rooms, turf standards, and recovery areas are being designed with the specifics of elite-level women’s sports in mind.
In addition to technical specifications, the club is prioritizing fan comfort. The arena’s design is geared toward families and first-time soccer attendees. To this end, the project includes special breastfeeding rooms, baby changing areas, spaces for strollers, as well as modern social spaces in the stands for hosting themed events.