What Middlesbrough FC's Riverside Stadium might look like if 42,000 expansion plans happen - according to AI | OneFootball

FLW takes a look at what Middlesbrough FC's Riverside Stadium would potentially look like if expanded upon in the future

Middlesbrough have called the Riverside Stadium home since 1995.

Boro played out of Ayresome Park for the previous 92 years before they moved to their current ground, which is where they have remained ever since.

The Riverside currently enjoys a capacity of 34,742, but has expansion plans to potentially increase that to 42,000 in the future.

As the club heads into the future under a new manager following Michael Carrick’s exit, the higher-ups at Boro will be determined to fight for promotion back to the Premier League next term, the division their stadium was designed for.

Football League World has asked ChatGPT what the Riverside could look like if the expansion is ever commissioned.

AI predicts Middlesbrough’s potential Riverside expansion

Middlesbrough implemented safe standing throughout the 2024/25 campaign, which shows that they are actively thinking of ways to improve and update the Riverside.

According to ChatGPT, Boro would have to add an upper tier to the existing stands to increase capacity.

This method has been successfully employed in other modern stadium expansions to enhance seating, and the AI believes it would be the most straightforward route forward for Middlesbrough.

It is suggested that fan facilities would be improved, including an expanded concourse and additional hospitality suites to accommodate a larger crowd.

As clubs look to put an extra focus on sustainability, the expanded stadium might incorporate eco-friendly features like energy-efficient lighting, rainwater harvesting systems, and the use of sustainable materials in construction, according to ChatGPT.

ChatGPT also believes that increasing the North East and South East stands would both increase capacity and improve the stadium’s acoustics, which would ultimately contribute to an improved atmosphere.

This would match the 1997 expansions to the North West and South West corners, which commenced following Boro’s promotion to the Premier League.

Middlesbrough would need to achieve promotion before a potential expansion

Despite enjoying a strong period of success when the Riverside was first opened, Boro have struggled to reach similar heights in recent years.

They reached the League Cup final in both 1997 and 1998, before claiming the prize in 2004. Boro also finished runners-up in both the 1997 FA Cup and 2006 Europa League (then UEFA Cup), achievements a far cry from their modern standing.

If the club were going to expand their current ground, they would need to warrant the change with Premier League football.

Middlesbrough's average attendance for the 2024/25 campaign came in at 25,416, which means the side still need to fill almost 10,000 extra seats before even thinking about an expansion.

During the 2016/17 season, Boro’s last in the top-flight, the Riverside’s average attendance was 30,449, an improvement on their current total but not enough to find reason to splash out on an increased capacity.

Therefore, if the North East outfit want to fulfill their potential to expand, they will need to dramatically increase their current attendance first.