Brighton and Hove Albion FC has announced plans to construct Europe's first purpose-built women's football stadium, an ambitious £80 million project designed specifically for families and female athletes. The 10,000-seater venue will be located at Bennett's Field, adjacent to the men's American Express Stadium in Falmer, East Sussex.
Family-Focused Design
Club officials confirmed that the stadium, targeted to open for the 2030/31 season, will be 'designed to be especially welcoming for families and first-time attendees.' Features include breastfeeding rooms, baby changing areas, buggy parks, wider concourses, underground parking, social spaces, and an 'event-day atmosphere.' A new bridge link will connect the women's stadium to the men's ground.
Catering to Female Athletes
The Seagulls emphasized that the stadium would be built around the specific needs of female athletes, including pitch standards, changing rooms, and recovery facilities, rather than adapting venues historically built for men's football. Zoe Johnson, Brighton's managing director of women and girls football, told BBC Radio 4: 'The demographic is different to the men's game and we know the female audience is slightly different in terms of what they would like on the concourses.' She added: 'There's not a lot of pints being sold, there's not a lot of pies being sold, so we've got to make sure we cater that to a female fan as well.'
Research and Innovation
Johnson also highlighted the club's commitment to addressing injuries common in women's football, such as anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries. 'We want to be at the forefront of leading the research for that,' she said, noting that the stadium's development timeline allows for thorough investigation into pitch surfaces and other factors.
Current Situation
Brighton's women's team currently plays most Women's Super League (WSL) matches at Crawley Town's Broadfield Stadium, approximately 20 miles away, while occasionally hosting games at the Amex. The club purchased the Bennett's Field site last year, describing the project as 'built for her.'
Chairman's Vision
Chairman Tony Bloom acknowledged the need to view the stadium through the lens of women and girls. 'That means looking at the playing surface – at the moment there are a lot of injuries in the women's game that we don't see as often in the men's game,' he said. Regarding capacity, Bloom admitted that 10,000 seats is ambitious given current average crowds of just over 3,000 at Crawley, but he expressed confidence: 'I've got no doubt we will be regularly selling out 10,000. It may not happen immediately, but it will happen.' He noted the proximity to the 33,000-seater Amex as a strategic advantage for potential expansion.
Global Context
The world's only other purpose-built women's football stadium is the CPKC Stadium in Kansas City, home to the Kansas City Current of the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL). Denver Summit, also in the NWSL, is building a 14,500-seater women's stadium in Colorado, set to open in 2028. In England, Birmingham City has proposed a women's stadium as part of a 'sports quarter' near a planned men's ground.
Growing Trend
A small but increasing number of WSL clubs now play home fixtures at their men's first-team stadiums, reflecting rising attendances and institutional support. Chelsea recently announced all home games at Stamford Bridge from next season, joining Arsenal, Aston Villa, and Leicester City. Arsenal hosts every WSL match at the 60,000-seat Emirates Stadium. Everton has moved permanently to Goodison Park, while Aston Villa and Leicester City use Villa Park and the King Power Stadium, respectively.
Official Statements
Paul Barber, Brighton's chief executive and deputy chairman, described the new stadium as 'a powerful statement of our ambitions' and integral to driving momentum for women's and girls' football globally. Brighton and Hove City Council leader Bella Sankey called it a 'huge day' for the city, noting the inspiration it provides for young girls.
