Birmingham City fans react to 'unreal' 62,000-seater stadium unveiling - 'it's a real statement' | OneFootball

The plans for the 62,000-seater stadium as the Sports Quarter's centrepiece have now been unveiled

Birmingham City supporters are already reacting in numbers as plans for the club's upcoming 62,000-seater stadium as part of the Sports Quarter complex were unveiled on Thursday afternoon.

A lengthy video reel featuring the likes of Tom Wagner, Tom Brady and former Blues-turned Real Madrid and England sensation, Jude Bellingham, as well as those within the East Birmingham community, was played in front of a watching audience at Digbeth Loc Studios and supporters across various social media platforms, with the new design created by architects at Heatherwick Studio and MANICA.

Birmingham have called St. Andrew's @ Knighthead Park their home since the year 1906, but plans have been in place since April 2024 at an 'Open House' meeting called by Wagner, to transform the currently derelict site at the former Birmingham Wheels BMX park into a sporting, retail and commercial hub which will completely transform the Bordesley Green and Small Heath areas of England's Second City.

With Wagner, the frontman of Knighthead Capital Management, first publicising his dream just weeks before Blues were relegated to League One for the first time in 30 years, skepticism was rife from those on the outside, and mainly supporters of the club's cross-city and bitter rivals, Aston Villa.

However, after a series of meetings with local and national government officials, plans were green-lighted as the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves, unlocked funding for a £1bn tramline extension running from the city centre to the Sports Quarter and beyond in June, whilst a further £400m was granted at the start of the month through the West Midlands Combined Authority, as was exclusively revealed by Football League World.

In what is a historic week for the West Midlands club, as they officially mark 150 years of existence against Norwich City on Saturday afternoon, supporters are already in awe of the plans which have now been made public, with the stadium design certainly paying tribute to the industrial heritage of Birmingham.

After years of stagnation, those in B9 have started to dream big ever since Knighthead acquired control of the club in July 2023, with a well-publicised rebuilding job that features the end goal of a Premier League return culminating in the new stadium, which Wagner hopes will be open by the summer of 2030.

Alongside the stadium will be another for the club's Women's team, a 15,000 to 20,000 indoor arena, official club training facilities and a multitude of retail and commercial spaces at a full cost of £2-3bn.

A post from Birmingham's official X account, featuring the aforementioned video read: A momentous day in the Club's history.

"We are proud to unveil the designs for our NEW 62,000-capacity stadium, developed by the world-renowned Heatherwick Studio and MANICA Architecture."

Unsurprisingly, several Bluenoses have issued their verdicts, with one glad that it is "modern but not soulless" in comparison to other newly-built stadiums.

During the video, Wagner referred to the new ground as the "Birmingham City Powerhouse Stadium", which one supporter is clearly a massive fan of.

Another was unsure of the name given, but was still in awe of the overall design.

However, it's fair to say that some may need some convincing.

Another Bluenose clearly doesn't like many aspects of the design, as well as the name.

And, although there probably won't be many who agree, one Villa fan was also on board with the design produced by Heatherwick and MANICA, with the advice of lifelong Bluenose and screenwriter, Steven Knight.

Birmingham City will hope to realise Premier League ambitions in 'Powerhouse' stadium

It's fair to say that the new stadium is built alongside the vision that Blues will have ended their lengthy Premier League hiatus by the scheduled opening time of summer 2030.

Unsurprisingly, though, with the design certainly being unique, it is clear and understandable as to why it is so divisive, although the locals will certainly hope to make it as hostile and daunting for opposition supporters in comparison to the atmosphere generated by a packed crowd at St. Andrew's.

It is a critical step in enticing world-class events, such as NFL matches and the biggest names in music, to perform in Birmingham, which can certainly be achieved due to plans for a retractable pitch, and, in turn, generating a much-greater cash flow to the club's coffers.