Brighton & Hove Albion have unveiled ambitious plans to construct the United Kingdom and Europe’s inaugural stadium built exclusively for women’s football. The proposal, which first secured approval from the local council in October 2023, was stalled for several months due to unforeseen delays, but the club is now ready to move forward with the development.
The new arena will rise on the site known as Bennett’s Field, a parcel of land that sits directly beside the club’s existing Amex Stadium, just beyond the East Stand. A purpose‑designed pedestrian bridge will link the two venues, allowing seamless movement between the men’s and women’s grounds. The stadium is being designed with a minimum seating capacity of 10,000 spectators, ensuring a vibrant atmosphere while still feeling intimate for supporters.
Initially, Brighton hoped the facility would be ready for the 2027/28 season, but realistic timelines have shifted the target to no later than the start of the 2030/31 campaign. Club chairman and owner Tony Bloom addressed the media, expressing his enthusiasm: “I’m extremely excited. We’ve been discussing these ideas for a long time, and we knew we wanted to bring women’s football back to Brighton in a proper home. Finding the perfect location took a great deal of effort, but we finally have it.
This is a thrilling moment for the club, the women’s team, and especially the young players who will grow up with a stadium built just for them and for the generations that follow.” Bloom emphasized the club’s commitment to the women’s game, adding, “We believe wholeheartedly in women’s football—here in Sussex, across the country, and worldwide. Being the first dedicated stadium in the UK raises the sport’s profile both domestically and abroad. I’m proud that Brighton is leading the way and I’m excited about what the future holds.” The financing model will be wholly internal; Bloom confirmed that the club will not be seeking external investors to fund the project.
Chief executive and deputy chairman Paul Barber estimated the construction cost at between £75 million and £80 million. The design will be tailored specifically for female athletes and their supporters, featuring custom changing and recovery rooms, a pitch surface optimized for women’s play, and hospitality areas that cater to a broader, more family‑friendly audience.
Accessibility will be a cornerstone, with wider concourses, dedicated family zones, and social spaces that encourage community engagement. Barber explained the philosophy behind the stadium: “Future generations of athletes deserve facilities that meet their specific needs. Men’s stadiums are perfectly adequate for men’s football, but they were never designed with female athletes in mind.
We are demanding the same high‑performance standards from the women’s side as we do from the men’s side, and that starts with world‑class facilities.” He continued, “At our training ground we have already invested heavily in top‑tier amenities; it only makes sense to extend that commitment to a purpose‑built match venue. The current economic model heavily favours the men’s game—when fixture clashes arise, the men’s side usually takes priority because of the revenue it generates. A dedicated women’s stadium eliminates that conflict, giving the women’s team full control over its schedule and a venue that truly fits its requirements.” The project marks a watershed moment for women’s football in the UK, where most clubs still share grounds with men’s teams or repurpose older stadiums.
Brighton’s initiative follows a growing trend overseas; in the United States, National Women’s Soccer League side Kansas City Current already operates a stadium built specifically for its squad, and fellow NWSL club Denver Summit plans to open a similar facility in 2028. Seagulls forward Fran Kirby praised the club’s investment, noting that a state‑of‑the‑art stadium will help attract top talent to the south coast. Speaking to Sky Sports News, Kirby said, “We’ve been talking a lot about research into women’s injuries and the specifics of women’s sport, but it’s different to see a club actually listening and putting resources into a purpose‑built stadium.
It makes me proud to be part of this. Growing up, I never imagined anyone would build a stadium just for women’s football, so this is incredible.” She added, “A dedicated venue is a magnet for players, coaches and staff. If you want to compete at the highest level, especially in Europe, you need facilities that match those ambitions. This stadium will be a major draw for the world’s best players.” Head coach Dario Vidosic echoed the excitement, joking that he wished for a time‑machine to fast‑forward three years and experience the new ground.
“It’s exhilarating to see Brighton pioneering standards for the women’s game. The stadium will give us an extra boost of energy, particularly as we push through the final stretch of the season.
It’s a huge step forward for women’s football and we’re incredibly grateful to the club for making it happen.” Beyond the immediate benefits for Brighton, the stadium is expected to have a ripple effect throughout the sport. By showcasing a model of investment and infrastructure tailored to women’s football, other clubs may be encouraged to pursue similar projects, ultimately raising the overall standard and visibility of the women’s game across the continent. The venue will also serve as a community hub, offering programs for schools, youth academies, and local charities, further embedding the sport into the fabric of Brighton and the surrounding region.
In summary, Brighton’s plan to build a 10,000‑seat, purpose‑built stadium on Bennett’s Field represents a bold statement of intent: to champion gender‑specific design, to provide equal performance environments, and to cement the club’s reputation as a leader in the evolution of women’s football. The anticipated opening, slated for the 2030/31 season, promises to deliver a modern, inclusive, and inspiring home for the Seagulls women’s side and a benchmark for clubs worldwide.