Brighton & Hove Albion have unveiled plans for a UK first purpose-built women’s football stadium.
The new stadium would have facilities designed for Brighton’s women’s team, staff and supporters with plans underway on a planning application to build the new stadium on Bennett’s Field, which had been acquired in 2025.
The new women’s stadium will located directly opposite the men’s current home ground – Amex Stadium, in order to enable ‘strong operational and fan experience links between both venues with the opportunity for the club to use a range of its facilities across both men and women’s match days.’
Brighton have designed their new stadium with the aim of having a minimum capacity of 10,000 and both stadiums will be linked by a bridge, whilst the club will maximise the sloped surface of Bennett’s Field to create underground parking facilities plus level access for spectators.
The club is targeting a maximum deadline of 2030-31 season subject to planning approvals from Brighton & Hove City Council and Lewes District Council.
Women’s managing director, Zoe Johnson has welcomed the plans and believes that the new stadium will allow the club to continue their ambition to compete on a consistent basis domestically and hopefully in Europe if qualify for European competitions.
“The prospect of a bespoke stadium, built exclusively for women’s players, staff and supporters, is incredibly exciting. It is a project that is the first of its kind in the UK and Europe, and one of only three in the world, and will capture the imagination of stakeholders across the women’s game, not just here but globally.
“It is something we are asked about constantly, and we have worked hard to reach this moment, so it is exciting now to share this news with the wider world. It will help us push forward our ambitions to compete consistently both domestically in the Women’s Super League, and also in European club competition, while helping us to attract key staff and grow a passionate fan base.
“We also hope the stadium can support academy and development fixtures, giving more of our younger players valuable experience of playing in a purpose-built stadium environment.”
Brighton & Hove Albion Chairman, Tony Bloom added that the new stadium forms part of his “long-term vision” for the women’s team.
“Since we announced our intention to build a stadium for the women’s team in Brighton and Hove, we have seen unprecedented interest locally, nationally and internationally. It is a topic I am regularly asked about by many of our fans, clearly indicating the growing level of interest and potential for women’s football.
“It is a significant further investment in our long term vision for women’s football at Brighton & Hove Albion. A women’s stadium in the city is essential to the continued growth of the team.
“We strongly believe it will strengthen our ability to attract elite talent, help develop our younger players for the future, support the growth of our fan base and create a genuine sense of belonging around the women’s game.”
Chief Executive and Deputy Chairman, Paul Barber is hopeful that the new women’s stadium will drive “momentum” for the game and benefit Brighton’s economy.
“Our new women’s stadium, the first of its kind in the UK and Europe, and one of only three in the world, is a powerful statement of our ambitions and will be integral to driving further momentum for the growth of women’s and girls’ football, not just in the UK but across the world.
“With a capacity aligned to Women’s Super League regulations, the stadium reflects our clear belief in ‘right sizing’ the stadium to grow the fan base sustainably.
“A stadium ‘built for her’ is not only a significant capital investment for the club but one which we know will also benefit the city and other areas around the stadium through the creation of local construction jobs, apprenticeships and training opportunities for local people, further boosting the club’s already significant contribution to the local economy and at a time when there is a great deal of economic uncertainty.
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