Major boost as new 'city location' Brighton stadium receives cross party backing

Plans to build a new stadium located in the city for Brighton Women has received backing from Brighton & Hove City council.

Albion’s women have been competing in the WSL since 2018 but currently play their home matches at Crawley Town’s Broadfield Stadium.

It has long been the club’s ambition to play their home matches in the city and that now appears to be moving closer after a motion was passed at a meeting of the full council last week committing their support.

An exact size, capacity and location of the new stadium is yet to be confirmed but last week Albion Women hosted Tottenham in the WSL at the Amex Stadium and drew a crowd of more than 7,000 – a record for a women’s fixture.

Cllr. John Hewitt said: “The team have been playing in the top-flight Women’s Super League since 2018 and have established themselves. It is vital the team relocates to the city, so the infrastructure is in place so they can thrive.

"A purpose-built stadium for our team will allow attendances to improve, encourage participation and will enable the team to follow on in the footsteps of the men’s side. Imagine having two European tours to go on in the same season. This would be a fantastic addition to our city.”

Brighton’s managing director of women’s and girls’ football, Zoe Johnson added: “We believe that this is another positive step in the right direction for women’s football within the Sussex community. We understand that it will take time, and we look forward to working with the council to ensure that we can bring the women’s team to Brighton on a permanent basis.”

Green Party’s Cllr Kerry Pickett, a lifelong Albion fan, said, “I want to see Brighton & Hove Albion’s women’s team play to a packed stadium in their home town. The Albion’s WSL players are an inspiration to these young girls, and I believe this level of support can and will increase and interest will only grow.

"Indeed, the club’s amazing foundation recently celebrated a 100 per cent increase in attendance at its football sessions for girls in the last 12 months alone.”