Premier League club to build purpose-built women’s stadium

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Image credit: Brighton & Hove Albion

Brighton & Hove Albion announced yesterday plans to construct the first purpose-built women’s stadium in the UK and Europe, aiming for opening in the 2030/31 season.

A landmark moment

Part of a ‘built for her’ drive, the stadium will join the CPKC Stadium (home to the Kansas City Current) and Denver Summit’s planned stadium as one of three purpose-built stadiums across the globe.

Furthermore, the venue, located next to the Amex Stadium, will provide a variety of bespoke facilities designed to support female athletes, staff and supporters within the club. From pitch standards to performance preparation and recovery, facilities will fit around the athletes – not the other way around.

Women’s Managing Director, Zoe Johnson, commented on the importance of the planned development.

“The prospect of a bespoke stadium, built exclusively for women’s players, staff and supporters, is incredibly exciting,” Johnson said via official media release.

“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.”

A step forward for Brighton’s women’s team, but also an exciting vision of the future of the women’s game across the world.

 

‘Built for her’

The stadium plans reflect an important distinction that the women’s game in the UK is not just ‘in development’, but a powerful, valuable and successful asset in its own right.

By constructing a home specifically designed not only to host football matches, but to welcome female athletes, staff and supporters, Bright & Hove Albion will hopefully encourage many more across the UK, Europe and beyond to do the same.

This is a stadium built on ambition and commitment to the women’s game.

“A stadium ‘built for her’ is an ambitious statement of intent – it’s an exciting commitment and will establish Brighton & Hove Albion  on the global map as a genuine home for the women’s game,” outlined Chair of Albion Women, Michelle Walder.

“Delivering these plans is central to accelerating the long-term growth of our women’s team and the future of the wider game.”

Moreover, as the 10,000 capacity stadium will link with the existing Amex Stadium through a new bridge link, both venues will grow more connected in operations and on matchdays, while still maintaining unique identities and fan demographics.

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Melbourne Victory driving strong partnerships with BYD

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The innovative vehicle manufacturer will join the Victory family as a Major Partner and Exclusive Motor Vehicle Supplier in a 12-month deal.

 

Elite performance, accessible for all

The alliance between Melbourne Victory and BYD reflects both parties’ commitment to progress, efficiency and high performance. It brings together two organisations who share vision and values, two fundamental aspects of any successful partnership.

On one hand is a rapidly growing and community-connected manufacturing company with over 100 sites, intent on providing reliable vehicles to Australian families. On the other, a successful club in the heart of Melbourne, with ambitions to progress on the pitch while regularly engaging with the community.

Melbourne Victory Managing Director, Caroline Carnegie, commented on the strong foundations of the partnership with BYD.

“Founded only a decade apart, there is a shared history of, and ambition for, continued accelerated growth between Melbourne Victory and BYD.”

“Not only is there a clear alignment of our vision and values to lead, unite, connect and inspire, but a mutual commitment to creating a better future for our communities.”

 

Delivering for the community

As part of the partnership, BYD’s branding will feature on Victory’s home and away jerseys, as well as across the Academy, media and Community assets.

Moreover, the agreement comes as a response from Victory to members and fans’ wishes for not just any vehicle partner, but one which is appropriate and coherent to their day-to-day lives. And as BYD Australia Chief Operating Officer, Stephen Collins, explained, the new energy vehicle manufacturer is driving far more than just passengers.

“We are thrilled to join forces with Melbourne Victory, a club that shares our relentless drive for performance and innovation,” expressed Collins.

“As the exclusive vehicle supplier, we’re not just providing new energy mobility; we’re supporting the team’s journey towards a more sustainable future.”

New energy, new partner and new ambitions for Melbourne Victory, who will compete on the international stage next season in the AFC Champions League Two.

And with a partner like BYD to back them, players and fans in the Victory family will be hoping it is the start of a journey to success.

 

UEFA and Japanese FA commit to sustainability strategy until 2031

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Image credit: Vitalii Vitleo / Shutterstock.com

UEFA and the Japanese Football Association (JFA) agreed this week upon a new sustainability protocol agreement, aligning with both organisations’ long term goals.

An inter-continental partnership

Sustainability is an unavoidable, essential factor to consider as the beautiful game continues to grow across communities worldwide.

So when two governing bodies like UEFA and the JFA – who both already hold their own sustainability initiatives – agree to share, support and guide mutual growth, the implications are immensely promising.

“Sustainability in football must be clear, practical and action-oriented,” said UEFA President, Aleksander Čeferin, via official press release.

“It is about protecting the environment, but also about people – their health, education and communities – and about using football’s reach to create lasting impact beyond the pitch.”

Furthermore, JFA President, Tsuneyasu Miyamoto, also highlighted the undeniable potential born from football’s global powe to bring about genuine, positive changes to the wider population.

“In the global football community today, how we address social issues – such as climate change, human rights, discrimination and safeguarding – has become a crucial theme.”

“In JFA’s growth strategy for 2026 to 2031, we have positioned sustainability as one of our three ‘beams’. Under our social programme, Asu-pass!, we are advancing initiatives centred on five key areas: planet, people, well-being, education and community,” Miyamoto continued.

 

The responsibility of all

With 250 million players in association football, and total fanbases encompassing 4-5 billion people, football truly is the world’s game.

But despite the pride behind this affectionate nickname, there must also be an awareness of the game’s resulting impact.

Because if football touches the lives of 5 billion people, the policies and plans in place must focus on sustaining, supporting and growing everyone.

UEFA’s Sustainability Strategy 2030 seeks to drive positive change through focusing on the sport’s wider impact, long-term investment and objectives, and working as a collective unit.

JFA’s Asu-pass! also builds on the JFA philosophy of enriching societies through the widespread love of football. Thus, by partnering with UEFA and creating a platform for sharing expertise and values, communities across both regions are set for a promising future.

“Together, through football, we want to contribute to a better society and a brighter future,” stated Miyamoto, underlining exactly what this alliance between UEFA and JFA is all about.

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