Club chiefs want to build a 10,000-seat ground at Bennett’s Field next to the Amex, linked by a new bridge, with doors opening for the 2030/31 season.

The scheme is set to become the first dedicated women’s football stadium in the UK and Europe, underlining a major shift in how elite women’s sport is being delivered.

The sloping nature of Bennett’s Field will allow the stadium to accommodate underground parking facilities, while still providing level access for spectators.

Work has begun on a planning application, which will be sought through the neighbouring authorities of Brighton and Hove City Council and Lewes District Council.

Former England star Karen Carney said the move shows the importance of investing in the right infrastructure after the recent boom in the women’s game.

Women’s Super League boss Nikki Doucet called it a “step change”, saying facilities designed specifically for female players and fans will reset standards across the sport.

The ground will be tailored to the women’s game, with upgraded pitch specs, elite recovery areas, and family-focused matchday features, including buggy parks, baby-changing facilities, and social spaces.

Brighton currently play most home games 20 miles away at Crawley, with average crowds just above 3,000 — making the 10,000-capacity a calculated growth play rather than an overreach.

Manager Dario Vidosic said the stadium would help attract players and push the club towards consistent domestic and European competition.

Globally, only a handful of similar projects exist, with Kansas City Current’s CPKC Stadium and Denver Summit’s planned ground leading the way in the US.