Brighton & Hove Albion have unveiled ambitious plans to construct the United Kingdom and Europe’s inaugural stadium designed solely for women’s football. The concept, which received its first nod from the local council in October 2023, was delayed for several months, but the club is now ready to move forward with the project.
The new arena will rise on a parcel of land known as Bennett’s Field, situated directly beside the existing Amex Stadium and adjacent to its East Stand. A dedicated footbridge will connect the two venues, allowing seamless movement between the men’s and women’s grounds.
The stadium is slated to accommodate at least 10,000 spectators, offering a purpose‑built environment that caters specifically to female athletes and their supporters. Initially, Brighton hoped the facility would be ready for the 2027‑28 season, but realistic timelines now point to an opening no later than the start of the 2030‑31 campaign. Club chairman and owner Tony Bloom addressed the media at a press conference, expressing his enthusiasm: "I’m extremely excited.
We’ve been discussing these plans for a long time and we knew we wanted to bring women’s football, our team, back to Brighton. We had to work hard to find the perfect location, and now we’re on the brink of a new era for the women’s side and the generations that will follow." Bloom emphasized the club’s commitment to the growth of women’s football both locally in Sussex and on a global scale. "Being the first designated stadium in the UK raises the profile of the women’s game at home and abroad.
It’s a landmark moment, and I’m proud Brighton is leading the way," he added. Funding for the project will come entirely from the club’s own resources; Bloom confirmed there will be no external investors.
Brighton’s chief executive and deputy chairman Paul Barber estimated the construction cost at between £75 million and £80 million. The design of the stadium will reflect the unique needs of female players and their fans. It will feature custom‑fitted changing rooms, state‑of‑the‑art recovery suites, and a pitch that meets the highest standards for women’s sport. Fan‑experience areas will be inclusive, with family‑friendly access, wider concourses, and social spaces that encourage a diverse audience to feel welcome.
Barber explained the philosophy behind the project: "Future generations of athletes deserve facilities built for them. Men’s stadiums are great, but they weren’t conceived with female athletes in mind. We want the women’s team to have the same high‑performance environment as the men’s side." He also highlighted the economic imbalance that currently favors the men’s game, noting that scheduling conflicts often give priority to men’s fixtures because of revenue considerations. "A purpose‑built stadium removes that dilemma.
The women’s team will have a venue that fits their schedule and their needs without compromise," Barber said. The initiative marks a turning point for women’s football, where most clubs still share grounds with men’s teams or repurpose older stadiums.
Brighton’s project follows the example set by the National Women’s Soccer League’s Kansas City Current, which opened a dedicated stadium, and mirrors upcoming plans by Denver Summit to launch a women‑only venue in 2028. Forward Fran Kirby praised the club’s dedication, saying the new stadium will help attract talent to the south coast. In an interview with Sky Sports News she remarked, "We’ve talked a lot about research into women’s injuries and sport, but having a club that truly listens and invests in women’s football makes me proud. Growing up, I never imagined a bespoke stadium for women’s football.
It’s incredible and it will draw players, staff, and supporters who want to be part of something special. To compete at the top level and in Europe, you need world‑class facilities, and this stadium will be a magnet for the best talent." Manager Dario Vidosic echoed that excitement, joking, "I wish I had a machine to fast‑forward three years and step onto that pitch.
It’s thrilling to see the club pioneering standards for the women’s game. The new stadium will give us an extra boost of energy as we finish the season, and we’re immensely grateful to the club for making this happen." Beyond the immediate benefits for Brighton, the stadium is expected to set a new benchmark for the sport across the continent. By providing a venue that prioritises the specific requirements of female athletes—such as tailored medical facilities, gender‑sensitive locker rooms, and inclusive hospitality areas—the club hopes to inspire other organisations to invest similarly.
The project also aligns with broader efforts to promote gender equality in sport, offering a tangible example of how infrastructure can be leveraged to close the gap between men’s and women’s football. As the stadium moves from blueprint to reality, it promises to become a hub for community engagement, youth development programmes, and international fixtures, further cementing Brighton’s reputation as a forward‑thinking club. Fans eager to follow the progress can stay updated through the club’s official channels, and the broader football community will be watching closely as Brighton paves the way for a new era of dedicated women’s football venues.