Key Takeaways
- Brighton & Hove Albion Women will construct Europe’s first football ground made only for a women’s team
- The 10,000-seat venue will sit next to the Amex Stadium and could open for the 2030-31 campaign
- Former England striker Fran Kirby says the project demonstrates ‘utmost respect’ for the women’s game
Brighton & Hove Albion Women have announced plans to build Europe’s first football ground made only for a women’s team. The Sussex club hopes to open the 10,000-seat venue next to the Amex Stadium before the 2030-31 season starts.
The Women’s Super League club released the first pictures of the project this week. If local councils give permission, the new ground will have an underground car park. The facilities will be made specifically for female players. Every part of the stadium, from the changing rooms to the public walkways, will meet the needs of women athletes and WSL fans.
Club officials say the design will feel friendly for families and people watching their first match. Social areas will create a welcoming feel for supporters.
Fran Kirby, who plays for Brighton and previously played for England, praised the historic news. ‘This shows that Brighton & Hove Albion have the utmost respect for the women’s game and the people within it,’ she said. ‘For young players watching on, it makes them believe that this sport truly has a future where they belong.’
The striker added: ‘This is the kind of progress we have dreamed about for years. The thought of walking into a stadium that has been designed for you will be revolutionary – it will change the way women’s players prepare and perform.’
Only two other clubs in the world have done similar things. Kansas City Current in America’s National Women’s Soccer League opened their new stadium in 2024. Denver Summit hope to finish their ground by 2028. Birmingham City have also said they plan to build a stadium for their women’s team near their new proposed men’s stadium.
Paul Barber, the club’s chief executive, spoke about the plans. ‘[This] is a powerful statement of our ambitions,’ he explained. ‘It will push forward the growth of women’s and girls’ football around the world.’
Barber said the 10,000-seat size follows WSL rules and allows the fan base to grow steadily. ‘A stadium ‘built for her’ is a major investment,’ he noted. ‘It will help the city by creating construction jobs, apprenticeships and training for local residents.’
Brighton currently share Broadfield Stadium in Crawley with the local men’s team. The ground hosted their 3-2 win against Manchester City last Saturday. This result leaves Brighton sixth in the WSL table.