Brighton & Hove Albion have announced ambitious plans to construct the United Kingdom and Europe's inaugural stadium designed specifically for women's football. The blueprint, initially given the green light by the local council in October 2023, encountered a series of setbacks that delayed progress, 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, which sits directly beside the existing Amex Stadium, close to the East Stand. A dedicated pedestrian bridge will connect the two venues, allowing seamless movement between the men's ground and the women's purpose‑built facility.
The stadium is slated to accommodate at least 10,000 spectators, providing a modern, intimate atmosphere for the Seagulls' women's side. While Brighton originally hoped to have the stadium ready for the 2027/28 season, the timeline has been revised. The club now aims to open the venue no later than the start of the 2030/31 campaign, giving ample time to perfect the design and secure the necessary funding. Chairman and owner Tony Bloom addressed the media, expressing his enthusiasm: "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 venue that truly belongs to them." Bloom highlighted the extensive search for the perfect location, emphasizing that the project is about more than bricks and mortar – it is about creating a legacy for current and future generations of female athletes. "We believe deeply in women's football, both locally in Sussex and on the national and global stages.
Being the first dedicated stadium in the UK elevates the sport's profile at home and abroad. It’s a milestone, and I’m proud Brighton is leading the way," he said.
Funding for the stadium will come entirely from the club, with no external investors sought. Chief executive and deputy chairman Paul Barber estimated the total cost at between £75 million and £80 million.
Barber explained that the venue will be tailor‑made for female players and their supporters, featuring custom changing and recovery rooms, pitch specifications suited to women's games, and hospitality areas designed for a more inclusive fan experience. Accessibility will be a priority, with family‑friendly entrances, wider concourses, and social spaces that encourage community engagement. Barber added, "Future generations of athletes deserve facilities that meet their specific needs.
While men's stadiums are fit for purpose, they were not designed with female athletes in mind. We are demanding the same high‑performance standards for the women's team as we do for the men's, and that starts with world‑class infrastructure." He also touched on the economic realities that currently favor the men's game, noting that scheduling conflicts often give the men's fixtures priority because of revenue considerations.
"A purpose‑built stadium removes that dilemma. The women's team will have a venue that is always available and perfectly suited to them," Barber explained.
The creation of a dedicated women's stadium marks a historic moment, as most clubs still share grounds with men's teams or repurpose older facilities. Brighton's initiative follows similar moves abroad, such as the National Women's Soccer League side Kansas City Current, which already operates a stadium built solely for its women's team. Another American club, Denver Summit, plans to open a purpose‑built venue for its women's side in 2028. Seagulls forward Fran Kirby praised the club's commitment, stating that the new stadium will help attract top talent to the south coast.
In an interview with Sky Sports News, she said, "We’ve heard a lot about research into women’s injuries and the growth of the women's game, but seeing a club actually invest in a bespoke stadium makes me proud to be here. Growing up, I never imagined anyone would build a stadium just for women’s football. This is incredible." Kirby added that the facility will be a magnet for players, coaches, and staff who want to be part of a progressive environment.
"If you want to compete at the highest level and challenge for European places, you need a world‑class stadium and a team that can attract the best players. A purpose‑built stadium does exactly that," she explained. Manager Dario Vidosic echoed the excitement, joking that he wished he could fast‑forward three years to experience the new ground.
"It’s thrilling to see the club pioneering standards for the women's game. The stadium will give us an extra boost of energy, especially as we head into the final stretch of the season.
It’s a fantastic development for women’s football, and we’re very grateful to the club," he said. Beyond the immediate benefits for Brighton, the project is expected to set a benchmark for other clubs across the UK and Europe.
By providing a venue that addresses the unique requirements of female athletes and their supporters, Brighton aims to inspire a wave of similar investments, ultimately raising the overall standard and visibility of women's football. The stadium will also feature state‑of‑the‑art facilities such as medical suites equipped for gender‑specific injury prevention, nutrition centres, and training zones that mirror the high‑performance environment of the men's side.
Community outreach programs are planned, with school partnerships and youth academies using the venue to promote grassroots participation among girls. In summary, Brighton & Hove Albion's plan to build the first purpose‑built women's football stadium in the UK represents a bold step toward equality, professionalism, and long‑term growth for the women's game. With a projected opening by the 2030/31 season, the club is poised to deliver a landmark facility that will benefit players, fans, and the broader football community for decades to come.