There’s some exciting news for footie lovers on the horizon, more specifically, fans of the WSL (Women’s Super League). Brighton and Hove Albion announced this week that they will build the first stadium in the UK and Europe that’s completely dedicated to women’s football. The project will cost £80 million.
Where will the new WSL stadium be built?
Located just over an hour away from London, the new stadium will be built on Bennett’s Field, right next door to the Amex Stadium, where Brighton’s men’s Premier League side play their matches.
It will be linked to the Amex Stadium by a bridge, so facilities can be shared between the two stadiums on match day. The new home for women’s football has been designed with a capacity of 10,000, and it’s set to open no later than the 2030/2031 season.
A commitment to women’s football
The main aim of the new purpose-built stadium is to reaffirm the club’s commitment to the women’s and girls’ game.
The whole stadium has been designed on the philosophy of “built for her” and will include features that reflect the needs of the female athletes, as well as the different demographics of supporters. For instance, the stadium is set to be especially welcoming for families and first-time attendees.
Women’s managing director Zoe Johnson said, “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.”
Will there be purpose-built stadiums for women’s football in London?
As women’s football becomes more popular in the capital and across the globe, teams are having to expand their operations.
Currently, London WSL teams like Arsenal and, most recently, Chelsea share their stadiums (Emirates and Stamford Bridge) with the men’s Premier League team.
However, while there are no plans currently for a women’s only London stadium, with the news of Europe’s first purpose-built facility for women, we can only hope similar news lands in the capital very soon.
