New Brighton football stadium explained: Capacity, opening date, cost, pictures and 'new bridge link' details

Brighton confirmed their £80m plans for the UK and Europe’s first purpose built women’s football stadium.

It will be one of only three such stadiums in the world, placing the club at the forefront of the women’s game globally.

The stadium specifically ‘built for her’ will provide bespoke facilities for Brighton’s women’s team, its staff and the club’s supporters.

Brighton currently compete in the Women’s Super League and are sixth in the table. Dario Vidosic’s team are also through to the FA Cup semi-final, where they face Liverpool on May 10.

They currently play the majority of their home matches at League Two Crawley Town’s Broadfield Stadium.

The stadium plans represent a major milestone in the club’s 2030 vision and underlines the board’s intent and belief in the women’s and girls’ game, supported once again by the unstinting backing of owner Tony Bloom.

What stage is the stadium at?

Work has begun on a planning application for the new women’s stadium located at Bennett’s Field, a site strategically acquired during 2025.

The location is immediately adjacent to the American Express Stadium, enabling strong operational and fan experience links between the two venues with the opportunity for the club to use a range of its facilities across both men’s and women’s match days.

Minimum capacity of 10,000

The new women’s stadium has been designed with a minimum capacity of 10,000 and will be physically connected to the Amex via a new bridge link.

The sloping nature of Bennett’s Field will allow the stadium to accommodate underground parking facilities, while still providing level access for spectators.

When will it be open?

The club’s ambition is for the stadium to open no later than the 2030/31 season, subject to planning approvals which will be sought through the neighbouring authorities of Brighton and Hove City Council and Lewes District Council.

The new stadium reaffirms the club’s long-standing commitment to the women’s and girls’ game, adding to the significant investment in dedicated training and administration facilities at the American Express Elite Football Performance Centre in Lancing, just 20 minutes to the west of the stadium site.

Chairman Tony Bloom said

Albion chairman Tony Bloom said, “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.”

The first of it’s kind

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.

“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.”