Brighton approve purpose-built women’s stadium beside Amex in £75m-£80m project by 2030 | OneFootball

According to NY Times, Brighton have approved Built For Her, a purpose-built women’s stadium costing £75 million to £80 million, due by 2030 with a minimum 10,000 capacity. Owner Tony Bloom will fund it, though government support remains possible. It would be the first purpose-built women’s stadium in the United Kingdom and Europe.

The call followed a 16 April presentation to Bloom, with CEO Paul Barber describing a few sleepless nights before last week’s approval.

The venue will sit beside the Amex Express Stadium, linked by a bridge and, the club hope, aided by existing planning precedent. Shared ticketing, retail, parking and Falmer station are planned.

Design will follow a women’s football lens, from injury-minded pitches to player facilities, plus ample female toilets, broader food and drink and buggy parks.

Brighton’s women currently share Crawley Town’s ground more than 20 miles away. With average gates of 2,000 to 3,000, the club favour a right-sized 10,000 arena over relying solely on the men’s stadium.

Showpiece games could still go to the Amex, set to reach 33,000 after current works. Growth is hard to forecast, and Barber said they will cross any capacity bridge if needs outstrip the new ground.

The project backs a 2030 aim to reach the WSL’s top four and win a domestic trophy. Brighton cite £8.5 million invested in a dedicated women’s training base and staff up over 50 per cent, with managing director Zoe Johnson stressing elite infrastructure as a key draw.

Source: NY Times