Brighton & Hove Albion are set to make history as they work towards expanding their women’s team with plans for a dedicated, purpose-built stadium. In a bold move reflecting a rapid growth of the women’s game, the club is not only addressing the need for proper facilities but also aiming to lead innovation in player welfare. With discussions around state of the art injury reducing pitches, this development could mark a turning point in how the women’s game is supported in the UK.
Like many women’s teams, Brighton & Hove Albion Women often find themselves taking a backseat to their male counterparts — a challenge they know all too well. Despite a strong season and clear signs of progress, they still lack a stadium to call their own, currently sharing Broadfield Stadium with Crawley and rarely getting the chance to play at Brighton’s main ground, the Falmer Stadium, also known as the Amex. This issue extends beyond Brighton, as many clubs across the Women’s Super League face similar challenges in securing a permanent home of their own to play in. As a result, many teams are striving to play more games at their main stadium, or, like Manchester City, have already secured their own dedicated venue – the Joie Stadium, which City’s women’s team share with the academy.
Although Brighton’s women’s team may not yet be able to fill the capacity of their men’s stadium, with construction of their own dedicated stadium set to be completed around the 2026-2027 or 2027-2028 season, they will soon have the opportunity to strive towards filling it to capacity. With the introduction of a ground that’s brand new and exciting it encourages people to come and watch games, see what they’re about and allows the club to grow further.
With Brighton’s football club owners and the local council showing strong belief in the women’s team, it sets an example for other clubs, demonstrating that investing in and committing to the women’s team can yield significant results. Brighton’s rise from a mid-range team to top five in the 2024/2025 season proves that such commitment truly pays off.
In developing their purpose-built stadium, Brighton are also conducting research into pitch quality, as poorly suited grounds – often designed with male players in mind – are believed to contribute to the higher rate of injuries among female players. With the club investing in a brand-new facility, it’s only right they ensure it’s thoughtfully designed and constructed to meet the specific needs of the women’s game.
Brighton’s chief executive Paul Barber said:
“The whole basis of building a women’s stadium is to show as much respect to the female athletes as we do to the men’s.”
As the rate of ACL injuries in women’s football rise, deeper concerns about this injury form. As of summer 2024 around 435 ACL injuries in top-tier leagues around the world since January 2022 have been recorded. This is why such research is so important when constructing a new purpose-built stadium.
By building a brand new stadium specifically with their women’s team in mind, Brighton could set a new standard for other clubs – either encouraging them to follow suit with purpose-built facilities or, at the very least, offering their women’s teams greater access to main stadiums. A strong example of this shift is Arsenal, who announced at the start of the 2024/2025 season their intention to host 11 women’s matches at the Emirates Stadium.
A stadium isn’t just where the match is played. It’s where legacies are born, culture is built, and the next generation get to witness what’s possible. That’s what Brighton are giving to their women’s team and to all those who’ve been waiting for change like this.
Purpose-built stadiums and research into injuries are just stepping stones in the right direction that will allow the women’s game to grow. Funding, investment and dedication are also key to making the women’s game fully professional. If other clubs are able to follow suit, the future of the women’s game will be stronger and more exciting than ever.
