Brighton have announced their plans for Europe’s first purpose-built women’s football stadium in the UK and Europe.Located next to the Amex Stadium, the ground will have a minimum capacity of 10,000 and is scheduled to open by the 2030/31 season.Brighton have released images for their proposed first-of-its-kind new stadiumBrightonBig-money projectWork is currently underway on a planning application for the proposed stadium located on the adjacent Bennett’s Field site.It will cost between £75-80million to build, and will be funded by Seagulls owner Tony Bloom, who is not looking for outside investors as he believes all of the club’s teams come under the same umbrella.There are also conversations with men’s stadium sponsors Amex about the women’s ground being part of the partnership.Brighton have described the new venue as ‘built for her’, and will be the first made with female athletes and women’s football supporters in mind.Among its features, there will be bespoke changing and recovery rooms, while the club are also looking into pitch standards that work best for women’s footballers.The venue will be geared towards a more inclusive fan base. including easy access for families, wider concourses and social spaces. The stadium proposals were first approved by the local council in October 2023, but delays prevented the club from proceeding with the plans until now.Once completed, the ground would be one of only three dedicated women’s football stadiums globally, after NWL sides Kansas City Current’s CPKC Stadium and Denver Summit’s planned venue in Colarado.Brighton Women currently currently play the majority of their WSL matches at Crawley Town‘s Broadfield Stadium, located about 20 miles away.‘The first of its kind’Following the announcement of Brighton’s stadium proposal, the club’s managing director of women’s and girls’ football, Zoe Johnson, said: “The prospect of a bespoke stadium, built exclusively for women’s players, staff and supporters, is incredibly exciting.Brighton’s purpose-built women’s stadium will be within walking distance of their Premier League groundbrightonandhovealbion.com“It is a project that is the first of its kind in the UK and Europe, and one of only three in the world, and will capture the imagination of stakeholders across the women’s game, not just here but globally.“It is something we are asked about constantly, and we have worked hard to reach this moment, so it is exciting now to share this news with the wider world. “It will help us push forward our ambitions to compete consistently both domestically in the Women’s Super League, and also in European club competition, while helping us to attract key staff and grow a passionate fan base.“We also hope the stadium can support academy and development fixtures, giving more of our younger players valuable experience of playing in a purpose-built stadium environment.”Backed by owner Bloom, Brighton had first hoped to build the new stadium in time for the 2027/28 campaign, but encountered setbacks in their search for land.And after confirmation of the stadium proposal, Bloom hailed the positive impact this will have on the growth of the Seagulls’ Women.Seagulls owner Tony Bloom will take charge of funding the club’s trailblazing stadium projectAFPHe said: “Since we announced our intention to build a stadium forthe women’s team in Brighton and Hove, we have seen unprecedented interest locally, nationally and internationally. “It is a topic I am regularly asked about by many of our fans, clearly indicating the growing level of interest and potential for women’s football.“It is a significant further investment in our long term vision for women’s football at Brighton and Hove Albion.“A women’s stadium in the city is essential to the continued growth of the team.“We strongly believe it will strengthen our ability to attract elite talent, help develop our younger players for the future, support the growth of our fan base, and create a genuine sense of belonging around the women’s game.”KSS Group will oversee construction of the women’s stadium, having also built the Amex, as well as being behind the Anfield expansion.GettyBrighton are currently sixth in the WSL table[/caption]How do other WSL clubs compare?A growing number of WSL clubs now play their home fixtures at their men’s first-team stadiums, reflecting rising attendances.With 10 of the league’s 12 teams affiliated with a Premier League side, Chelsea recently announced Stamford Bridge as their permanent home, following Arsenal, Aston Villa and Leicester’s path.The Gunners have led the way in this respect, hosting every WSL home match at the Emirates Stadium following record crowds and sustained demand.Aston Villa and Leicester have both committed to staging all league games at Villa Park and the King Power Stadium respectively.Meanwhile, Everton made Goodison Park their permanent home after the men’s side relocated to the new Hill Dickinson Stadium.As for the WSL’s other teams, most clubs divide women’s fixtures between smaller dedicated venues and occasional games at their main grounds, including Brighton.