What AI thinks all 24 EFL Championship stadiums will look like in the year 2070 | OneFootball

AI has mapped out a futuristic vision for the stadiums of each Championship club

The Championship has a nice blend of old-school and modern-looking stadiums across the 2025/26 season, with it being one of many facets which make the division so intriguing.

This is largely down to the size of each individual club, their recent history and financial resources on offer, with the second-tier home to two former Premier League champions and outfits who have recently risen from the depths of non-league football in record-breaking fashion.

It is often debated which stadiums across the 24 clubs provide the best overall matchday experience, with such discourse centering around facilities, food, the overall feeling of the town or city in which it is situated and many more.

However, it remains to be seen just how long it will take for some of the country's traditional stadia to completely move out of fashion and be replaced by futuristic designs as clubs look to continuously grow their fanbases and revenue streams.

With that being said, Football League World has asked AI-based chatbot, ChatGPT, how it sees each of the 24 stadiums looking in the year 2070 and why, and we, have in turn, debated each prediction.

Birmingham City - St. Andrew's @ Knighthead Park

AI failed to note that Birmingham City will not be playing at St. Andrew's by the time 2070 rolls around, with the club expected to move into a new 62,000-seater stadium by 2031 after plans were given the go-ahead in June 2025.

However, some of the futuristic features discussed by AI could still become a part of the upcoming Sports Quarter complex, such as local community facilities and co-working spaces on top of new training facilities, which have already been mentioned as part of the upcoming development in East Birmingham.

Blackburn Rovers - Ewood Park

Ewood Park has been the home of Blackburn Rovers since 1890, and has been in its current all-seater state since the 1990s, during the club's most successful era under the ownership of Jack Walker.

The East Lancashire ground is one of the biggest in the Championship with a current capacity of 31,367. However, in a move which could cause controversy, AI believes the stadium will lose some of its capacity to make way for a modernised 'bowl' outlook that will improve transport links and hospitality packages on offer to supporters.

Bristol City - Ashton Gate

Ashton Gate - the home of Bristol City - was redeveloped at a cost of nearly £50m in the mid-2010s to hold a current capacity of 27,000.

By the time 2070 comes around, AI believes the stadium will become a social hub for the local community in so many ways, with a 'Green Quarter' including nearby public plazas hosting concerts.

AI also believes that the Robins will look to maximise revenue streams, such is the way of modern football, suggesting that the stadium will include a retractable pitch to limit postponements and damage whilst also hosting several 'non-sporting' events.

Charlton Athletic - The Valley

AI believes that Charlton Athletic's spiritual home, The Valley, will also see its current capacity of 26,875 impacted negatively by the introduction of a bowl-shaped exterior which will ironically reduce the chances of postponements.

This would likely be seen as a non-starter by Addicks fans, especially with AI predicting that some of the current facilities will be replaced by local housing and retail developments, meaning that some of the stadium's character could be ripped out.

Coventry City - CBS Arena

The CBS Arena is one of the Championship's more modern stadiums, with Coventry City now finally able to fully call it 'home' after striking a deal worth nearly £40m with former Newcastle United president, Mike Ashley.

The out-of-city stadium is surrounded by retail developments, whilst also having en-suite facilities such as a conference hall and casino. Unsurprisingly, AI believes its current outlook will allow for a seamless transition into an even more modern complex by 2070, with the Sky Blues' home predicted to incorporate active facades and a permanent concert infrastructure, as well as being a hub for local and regional events over facilities such as the nearby N.E.C.

Derby County - Pride Park

Pride Park was built in 1997, meaning it will have seen 73 years of Derby County history by 2070.

Although the Rams' home is currently surrounded by a retail development, AI believes that, in 45 years' time, the DE24 ground will be the centre of a regeneration project which will see residential housing and new sports facilities adjacent.

Despite supporters being largely satisfied with the current facilities and views on offer, it has also been predicted that the stadium will incorporate modular-tier seating and an enclosed roof, which could impact the atmosphere Derby supporters generate in a positive way, making it impossible for their vociferous noise to dissipate.

Hull City - MKM Stadium

The MKM Stadium has been Hull City's home since December 2002, being the initial catalyst for the Tigers' rapid rise from League Two to the Premier League.

Current owner Acun Ilicali has drawn up plans to regenerate the surrounding area with training facilities, although AI believes that there is a need for a greater focus on the local environment.

It predicts that by 2070, the stadium will be somewhat elevated to combat the risk of increased flood concerns due to the city's location on the Humber Estuary and proximity to the North Sea. As a result, further community spaces would also feature as part of AI's predicted design concept.

Ipswich Town - Portman Road

Due to its location, AI has referenced that Ipswich Town may face several constraints when it comes to redeveloping Portman Road.

However, it believes that the Tractor Boys will mix their long-standing traditions with modern innovation in order to provide the strongest matchday experience, with hospitality areas seeing major improvement, as well as the continued integration of 'safe standing' to help boost noise levels among the home quarters of the stadium.

Leicester City - King Power Stadium

The King Power Stadium has played host to some of the most memorable moments in Leicester City's lengthy history since the club's move in 2002.

Foxes supporters have often been able to generate a strong atmosphere despite the ground's modern design. However, supporters, who are currently frustrated with the hierarchy would likely voice their discontent in the future should AI's prediction of a hospitality-focused modernisation play out, which would include a section inside the stadium split off for Esports competitions.

It has also been claimed that more hotels could be built on the adjacent land, which could give the King Power a similar vibe to that of Stamford Bridge.

Middlesbrough - Riverside Stadium

The Riverside Stadium's obvious proximity to the Tees has given Middlesbrough plenty of potential redevelopment options, according to AI.

Some of these would certainly improve the overall experience for local and visiting supporters, with it being discussed that the stadium will become the centrepiece of a fresh waterfront development full of retail and food complexes alongside public realm spaces.

AI also believes that future owners of the club will certainly consider the safety of supporters too, due to environmental factors impacting the aforementioned local river.