'We've waited for a new stadium for a long time'

"We've waited for it for a long time, we used to watch games in Crawley.

"You had to get two trains or drive a car, it's going to be more accessible", said Ritika Srivatsan, who lives in Brighton.

Bella Sankey, Leader of Brighton & Hove City Council, said it was a "huge day" for women's football and the city.

With work under way on a planning application, the club says it hopes to officially open the stadium for the start of the 2030-31 season.

"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," said the club's managing director of women's and girls' football, Zoe Johnson.

The club said changing rooms, pitch standards and recovery spaces will "support elite female players", while the matchday experience will be "designed to be especially welcoming for families and first-time attendees".

There will be breastfeeding rooms, baby changing areas and 'buggy parks' for prams, as well as social spaces on the concourse to host events and underground car parking, a club spokesperson said.

"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," Johnson added.

The world's first bespoke women's football ground opened in the United States.

Follow BBC Sussex on Facebook, on X, and on Instagram. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@bbc.co.uk or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250.

More on this story

• Brighton plan Europe's first purpose-built £80m women's stadium
• Goodison Park to become home of Everton's women

Related internet links

• Brighton & Hove Albion