Brighton & Hove Albion have announced ambitious plans to construct what will become the inaugural purpose‑built stadium for women's football in both the United Kingdom and Europe. The scheme, which received its initial green light from the local authority in October 2023, experienced a series of setbacks that delayed the start of construction.
The club now confirms that work will finally move forward, with the new venue slated to open no later than the commencement of the 2030/31 season. The proposed ground will rise on a parcel of land known as Bennett's Field, situated directly adjacent to the east side of the Amex Stadium, the club's existing home for the men’s team.
A pedestrian bridge will link the two facilities, allowing seamless movement between the main arena and the new women's stadium. The design calls for a minimum capacity of 10,000 spectators, providing a sizeable yet intimate atmosphere tailored to the needs of female athletes and their supporters. Originally, Brighton hoped to have the stadium ready for the start of the 2027/28 campaign. However, realistic timelines and the desire to ensure the project meets the highest standards have pushed the target back a few years.
Club chairman and owner Tony Bloom addressed the media, saying, "I’m extremely excited. We have been discussing these plans for a long time and we knew we wanted to bring women's football back to Brighton in a proper home. Finding the right location was a lengthy process, but we finally have it. This is a pivotal moment for the club, the women's team and the generations of young players who will follow." Bloom also emphasized that the club will finance the development internally, rejecting the idea of external investors.
Brighton chief executive and deputy chairman Paul Barber estimated the total cost at between £75 million and £80 million. The stadium will be designed from the ground up with female athletes and their fans in mind.
Features will include custom‑fitted changing rooms and recovery suites, pitch specifications that reflect the nuances of the women's game, and hospitality areas that cater to families and a broader demographic. Wider concourses, accessible facilities, and dedicated social spaces will aim to make match‑day experiences inclusive and comfortable for all attendees.
Barber explained, "Future generations of athletes deserve venues that are built for them, not simply retro‑fitted men’s stadiums. While existing men’s grounds are functional, they were never conceived with female players or a mixed‑gender audience in mind. We are demanding the same high‑performance environment for our women’s side as we do for the men’s side. Providing top‑class facilities is logical if we want to maximise performance, and we have already invested in the training ground – the stadium should reflect that commitment as well." He also highlighted the economic imbalance that currently favours the men’s game, noting that scheduling conflicts often see the men’s fixtures taking priority because of revenue considerations.
A dedicated women's stadium would eliminate such clashes, granting the women’s team full control over its own calendar and ensuring matches are played in a venue perfectly suited to their requirements. The project represents a watershed moment for the sport. Historically, most women's clubs have either shared facilities with male counterparts or repurposed older men's grounds.
Brighton’s initiative follows a small but growing trend of purpose‑built venues for women’s teams, such as the stadium constructed for NWSL side Kansas City Current in the United States. Another American club, Denver Summit, has announced plans to open a dedicated stadium for its women’s side in 2028.
Brighton forward Fran Kirby praised the club’s commitment, telling Sky Sports News, "We’ve been talking a lot about research into women’s injuries and sport science, but to see a club actually listening and investing in a bespoke stadium makes me proud to be here. Growing up, I never imagined a purpose‑built stadium for women’s football would exist.
This facility will attract 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 infrastructure, and this stadium will be a magnet for top talent." Manager Dario Vidosic echoed that enthusiasm, saying, "I wish I had a machine to fast‑forward three years so I could see the stadium in action. It’s exciting to be part of a club that is pioneering standards for the women’s game. The new ground will give us an extra boost of energy, especially as we push through the final stages of the season.
It’s a huge step forward for women’s football and we are incredibly grateful to the club for making it happen." Beyond the immediate benefits for Brighton, the stadium is expected to have a ripple effect across the sport. By showcasing a model of a venue that prioritises female athletes, it could inspire other clubs in the UK and across Europe to consider similar projects, thereby raising the overall profile and commercial viability of women’s football. The stadium will also serve as a community hub, offering facilities for local schools, grassroots programmes and health initiatives, further embedding the club within the fabric of Sussex.
In summary, Brighton’s plan to build a 10,000‑seat, purpose‑designed stadium on Bennett’s Field marks a historic advancement for women’s football in the UK. With a projected cost of up to £80 million and a target opening by the 2030/31 season, the project underscores the club’s belief in gender‑equal investment, the importance of dedicated facilities for performance, and the broader ambition to set new standards for the sport both nationally and internationally.