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Which Premier League clubs are expanding their stadiums? Part 2
Will Mann Editor
Ahead of the new Premier League season starting this weekend, in part 2 of our feature on clubs planning to increase their ground capacities, CM looks at the projects that are a little further into the future. Read part 1 here.
Nottingham Forest
Artist's impression of how the expanded Nottingham Forest stadium will look
Forest’s plans to extend the City Ground were approved by Rushcliffe Borough Council in summer 2022. However, in March the club issued an update on the project, amid speculation it would be cancelled, with work now on hold until at least 2024. The plans involve demolition of the Peter Taylor Stand and rebuilding it, increasing the stadium’s capacity from 30,000 to 35,000.
Chelsea
The Stoll Mansions site is pictured immediately to the left of Stamford Bridge stadium (image: Dreamstime)
The likelihood of Chelsea staying at their Stamford Bridge home took a big step forward last week when the club purchased the Stoll Mansions site, immediately to the west of their stadium. Covering almost 5,000m2, it would allow the redevelopment of their existing venue in stages or a complete demolition and rebuild. However, a rebuild remains tricky due to the proximity of a Tube line to the east, and owners Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital are reported not to have ruled out a relocation, possibly to the Earl’s Court site, 1km to the north. A new capacity of 55,000 is the ambition, up from the current 40,000, but any new stadium would not be ready till 2030 at the earliest.
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Manchester United's Old Trafford stadium (image: Dreamstime)
There has been no major work at Old Trafford since 2006. Manchester United consulted with fans on redevelopment plans in 2022, but extending the current 74,000 capacity is constrained by the stadium’s location, with a railway running behind one stand. The Manchester Evening News reported that the club’s controversial owners, the Glazers, are believed to favour staying put – rather than moving to a new stadium – which could involve rotating the pitch as part of a rebuild.
Newcastle United
The Strawberry Place plot is circled to the south of St James's Park (image: Google)
Like Chelsea, Newcastle recently purchased an important site next to their stadium which makes redevelopment of the Gallowgate End more feasible. The Strawberry Place plot to the south of St James’s Park was sold by previous owner Mike Ashley four years ago. Meanwhile, The Times reported last month that the club is examining design proposals for a new East Stand. Redevelopment here has always been restricted by the Grade II-listed Leazes Terrace to the rear, but a stand design using more glass and allowing light to pass through the structure could satisfy planners. Owners, the Saudi Arabia Public Infrastructure Fund want to raise capacity from 52,000 to either 60,000 or 65,000.
Sheffield United
The proposed new south stand (left) at Bramall Lane (image: Sheffield United FC)
The Blades applied successfully for planning permission from Sheffield City Council in 2017 to extend Bramall Lane’s south stand, adding an extra 5,400 seats, raising overall capacity to around 38,000. Separate proposals to extend the Kop stand would lift it beyond 40,000. The club has subsequently updated the application to keep the permissions alive, but with owner Prince Abdullah bin Musaid Al Saud putting the newly-promoted team up for sale, the plans appear to be on hold for now.
Wolverhampton Wanderers
Molineux Stadium redevelopment plan (image: AFL Architects).
Wolves unveiled images of proposals to expand Molineux in 2019, which would increase stadium capacity from 32,000 to 50,000 through rebuilding the Billy Wright, Steve Bull and South Bank stands. However, not much has happened since. Owner Jeff Shi told the Birmingham Mail last year that stadium plans are on the “backburner”.
AFC Bournemouth
The Vitality Stadium is the smallest in the Premier League (image: Dreamstime).
The Cherries have the smallest stadium in the Premier League by some distance – the Vitality Stadium holds just 11,300. At the end of last season, new American owner Bill Foley told The Athletic he wants the club playing in a 20,000 capacity venue. The club has five years left on its lease and needs to decide whether to redevelop the current stadium or move to a new site, likely to be in the grounds of nearby Kings Park.
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