Brighton Women’s Stadium Plan for Europe’s First Arena

Brighton women’s stadium

Image Credit: BBC

Brighton and Hove Albion have announced plans to build what would be Europe’s first purpose-built women’s football stadium, with the proposed Brighton women’s stadium set to be developed at Bennett’s Field, next to the club’s Amex Stadium.

The venue is expected to have a minimum capacity of 10,000 and will be linked to the Amex via a bridge walkway. The club said it aims to open the stadium in time for the 2030-31 season, subject to planning approval.

Brighton currently play most of their Women’s Super League matches at Crawley Town’s Broadfield Stadium, around 20 miles from their main base, although selected fixtures are staged at the Amex. The new ground is intended to provide a permanent home for the women’s team.

Brighton women’s stadium designed for elite facilities

Club officials said the Brighton women’s stadium will be built specifically to meet the demands of the women’s game, with a focus on performance, recovery and fan experience.

Planned features include tailored changing rooms, high-quality pitch standards and dedicated recovery spaces designed to support elite female athletes. The stadium will also include facilities aimed at improving accessibility, such as breastfeeding rooms, baby-changing areas and buggy storage spaces.

Social areas on the concourse are expected to host events, while underground parking is also included in the proposal.

Zoe Johnson, managing director of women’s and girls’ football at Brighton, said the project would provide a long-term identity for the team and help support its ambitions both domestically and in European competition.

She added that the stadium could also be used for academy and development fixtures, offering younger players experience in a purpose-built environment.

Shift from shared venues across Women’s Super League

Most Women’s Super League clubs currently play in adapted venues, often sharing stadiums with their affiliated men’s teams. In recent years, clubs such as Chelsea, Arsenal and Aston Villa have moved more women’s fixtures into their main stadiums.

Brighton’s proposal marks a different approach. Instead of expanding into an existing ground, the club is planning a standalone venue designed exclusively for women’s football.

Purpose-built football stadiums for women remain rare in Europe. In the United States, Kansas City Current opened CPKC Stadium, widely considered the first dedicated women’s football ground, while another franchise, Denver Summit, is working towards a similar model.

Brighton manager Dario Vidosic said the project reflects the club’s long-term commitment to the women’s game, adding that dedicated facilities can raise standards and help attract players.

The club has already invested in women’s infrastructure, including an £8.5m upgrade to training facilities at the American Express Elite Football Performance Centre in 2021.

Brighton said further details on planning and timelines will be confirmed once the application process progresses.

For more information, visit BBC’s comprehensive article