West Brom confirm new Hawthorns PA as fan experience revamp gathers pace | OneFootball

West Bromwich Albion have confirmed an upgraded public address system will be in place for the new season at The Hawthorns, a move welcomed by supporters.

According to ExpressAndStar.com, the update was delivered at last week’s Albion Assembly, where executive director Mark Miles, director of events and experience Tomasz Chadwick and director of operations Chris Harris briefed members. Stadium speakers have drawn complaints for years and the club has targeted wider matchday improvements.

Assembly minutes stated that Harris said installation is under way and already beyond halfway. He praised the provider and said they were confident it would be ready for the start of the new season. At the Fan Advisory Board on 14 May, he added that speakers would begin going on the stadium roofs by the end of this month.

Chadwick outlined work on half-time queues, concourse food, in-stadium Wi-Fi, atmosphere, events and concerts, players visiting hospitality suites and roadside digital screens. He has recently taken on his role after moving from head of commercial.

He also confirmed plans to appoint a dedicated fan experience manager ahead of the 2026/27 campaign. The club are exploring matchday Hawthorns helpers to support fans.

The Championship club are assessing how self-pouring and self-ordering technology could ease queuing. Members also asked about using Halfords Lane for fan activity when it closes around 90 minutes before kick-off, but were told it must be ready to reopen quickly in an emergency. Current locations are limited to the fan zone at the Birmingham Road corner and the East Stand car park.

Source: ExpressAndStar.com