Brighton: WSL team reveal plans for first purpose-built stadium for women's football in the UK and Europe
Brighton will build the first stadium in the UK and Europe specifically designed for women's football; the Seagulls initially had the plans approved by the council in October 2023; Sky Sports recently published an in-depth project on women's stadiums
Tuesday 28 April 2026 13:58, UK
Brighton have revealed their plans for the first purpose-built stadium for women's football in the UK and Europe.
The proposals were first approved by the local council in October 2023, but delays meant the club have not been able to proceed with the plans until now.
It will be built on land called Bennett's Field, which is adjacent to the Amex Stadium near the ground's East Stand. It will be linked with the current main ground via a bridge link and will have a minimum capacity of 10,000.
- Are main stadiums the right place for women's football?
- Live WSL table | Watch FREE match highlights from every WSL game
- Got Sky? Watch WSL games LIVE on your phone📱
- Not got Sky? Get Sky Sports or stream with no contract on NOW📺
Brighton chairman and owner Tony Bloom said at a press conference: "I'm extremely excited. We've been discussing those plans for quite a long time. We knew we wanted to bring women's football, our team, back to Brighton.
"We had to work long and hard to find exactly the right location to make it work. It's a really exciting time for the club and the women's team, particularly for the young players because it's for them and the many generations which will come after them.
"We massively believe in women's football both in Sussex and nationally and across the globe.
"Being the first designated stadium in the UK helps raise the profile in this country and abroad. It's a big moment, I'm proud that Brighton are at the forefront of women's football and I'm excited for the future."
The stadium will be the first built with female athletes and women's football supporters in mind. This incudes bespoke changing and recovery rooms, pitches all the way through to catering for a more inclusive fan base. This will include easy access for families, wider concourses and social spaces.
The Seagulls had initially wanted the ground to be ready for the start of the 2027/28 campaign, but it is now hoped the stadium will be open no later than the start of the 2030/31 season.
It will be a landmark moment for women's football, with most teams sharing grounds with other teams or sports or playing in a former men's ground.
It was a topic recently explored by an in-depth Sky Sports project, with Brighton following in the footsteps of NWSL side KC Current, who also have a purpose-built stadium for their team. Fellow USA side Denver Summit are also planning to open their own stadium for their women's team in 2028.
