Brighton & Hove Albion have unveiled ambitious plans for what will become the United Kingdom and Europe’s inaugural stadium built exclusively for women’s football. The concept, initially given the green light by the local authority in October 2023, stalled for several months due to a series of delays, but the club is now ready to move forward. The new arena will rise on a parcel of land known as Bennett’s Field, which sits directly beside the existing Amex Stadium, just beyond the East Stand.
A pedestrian bridge will connect the two venues, allowing seamless movement between the current main ground and the purpose‑built facility. The design calls for a minimum seating capacity of 10,000 spectators, providing a suitably sized home for the Seagulls’ women’s side while also leaving room for future expansion.
Originally, Brighton hoped to have the stadium ready for the start of the 2027/28 season. However, realistic timelines have shifted the target to no later than the opening of the 2030/31 campaign.
In a press conference, club chairman and owner Tony Bloom expressed his enthusiasm: “I’m extremely excited. We’ve been talking about these plans for a long time and we knew we wanted to bring women’s football back to Brighton in a proper home. “We had to work hard to locate the perfect site, and now we’re at a pivotal moment for the club and especially for the young players who will benefit for generations to come. We firmly believe in women’s football, both locally in Sussex and on a global scale.
“Being the first dedicated stadium of its kind in the UK raises the sport’s profile at home and abroad. It’s a landmark moment, and I’m proud that Brighton is leading the way.” Bloom also clarified that the club will not be seeking external investors to fund the project. Brighton’s chief executive and deputy chairman Paul Barber estimated the construction cost to fall between £75 million and £80 million, a sum the ownership group intends to finance internally. The stadium’s design will be tailored specifically for female athletes and their supporters.
Features will include custom‑made changing rooms, state‑of‑the‑art recovery facilities, and playing surfaces that meet the highest standards for women’s football. Fan‑experience considerations are also central: wider concourses, family‑friendly access points, and social spaces that cater to a more inclusive audience will be incorporated throughout the venue.
Barber emphasized the long‑term vision: “We have generations of athletes ahead of us who deserve facilities built for them. Men’s stadiums are fine, but they weren’t designed with female athletes in mind. We expect the same high‑performance environment from the women’s team as we do from the men’s side. “It makes sense to provide the best possible infrastructure to drive performance.
We’ve already upgraded the training ground, so the stadium should follow suit. Right now, economics heavily favour the men’s game; when fixture clashes arise, the men’s side gets priority because of revenue. A dedicated women’s stadium eliminates that conflict – the women’s team will have a venue that meets their needs whenever they need it.” Having a purpose‑built ground will set a new benchmark for the sport. Most women’s clubs currently share facilities with men’s teams, other sports, or occupy former men’s venues.
Brighton’s project follows a growing trend, echoing the example of NWSL side Kansas City Current, which already operates a stadium built specifically for its women’s squad. In the United States, Denver’s Summit FC also plans to open a dedicated women’s stadium in 2028.
Forward Fran Kirby praised the club’s commitment, noting that the new stadium could help attract top talent to the south coast. Speaking to Sky Sports News, she said, “We’ve heard a lot about research into women’s injuries and sport science, but it’s different when a club actually listens and invests in the best facilities for women’s football. It makes me proud to be part of this.
“When I was growing up, I never imagined a club would build a stadium just for women. It’s incredible and it sends a powerful message.
It draws players, staff, and supporters who want to be part of something special. To compete at the highest level in Europe, you need world‑class facilities, and this stadium will be a magnet for the best players worldwide. “The team has always spoken about needing a purpose‑built stadium, and now that vision is becoming reality.
It’s a huge attraction for players.” Manager Dario Vidosic echoed that excitement, admitting, “I wish I had a fast‑forward button to get us into the new ground three years from now. It’s thrilling to see Brighton pioneering standards for the women’s game and raising the bar so high.
“It will give the squad an extra boost of energy, especially as we push through the final stages of the season. Seeing a dedicated stadium on the horizon is fantastic for the women’s side, and we’re extremely grateful to the club for making it happen.” The development is expected to have a ripple effect across the sport, encouraging other clubs to consider similar investments and demonstrating that women’s football can thrive with purpose‑built infrastructure.
By delivering a venue that addresses the unique needs of female athletes and fans, Brighton aims to cement its role as a trailblazer and help propel the women’s game into a new era of professionalism and visibility. The stadium is slated to become a hub not only for match days but also for community events, youth programmes, and educational initiatives that promote gender equality in sport.
As construction progresses, the club plans to keep supporters informed and involved, ensuring that the final product reflects the aspirations of players, staff, and the wider Brighton community. In summary, Brighton’s proposed stadium represents a bold step forward for women’s football in the UK and Europe, promising a state‑of‑the‑art facility that will serve the team and its supporters for decades to come.