Falmer Stadium – Brighton’s Premier Community Arena

From Nomads to Neighbours

Brighton & Hove Albion spent 14 seasons ground-sharing after leaving the Goldstone Ground in 1997. The club’s ambition to return home ignited plans for a stadium sunk into the rolling South Downs landscape. In June 2002, planning permission was granted for Falmer Stadium—later christened the American Express Community Stadium—to anchor Albion in their city once more.

The journey was fraught: legal challenges from Lewes District Council, environmental inquiries over the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and complex s106 obligations tested the club’s resolve. Approval was finally cemented in September 2007, setting the stage for one of English football’s most inspiring relocations.

Design & Construction (2008–2011)

Architects KSS Design Group envisioned a bowl that nestles into a chalk quarry, minimizing visual impact while providing fans with panoramic sightlines. Excavation of 138,000 m³ of chalk created a three-tiered vessel that sits three storeys below ground. Buckingham Group began works in December 2008, racing to complete the £93 million project ahead of the 2011–12 season.

When the Amex opened on 16 July 2011 with a Sussex Senior Cup final, it was already built for growth: one extra tier atop the East Stand would boost capacity from 22,374 to 30,750 by spring 2013, and foundations were laid for future expansion.

Phased Infrastructure Upgrades

Since opening, Falmer Stadium has undergone carefully staged improvements to enhance comfort, safety and match-day operations. In 2012–13, the East Stand’s added tier lifted total capacity to over 30,000. In 2024–25, Albion invested in:

Fan Experience & Community

The Amex delivers an intimate yet electric atmosphere. Its compact bowl brings supporters within 8 metres of the touchline, amplifying every chant. The South East corner houses 3,300 away fans on padded seating—a rare perk—while family areas, sensory rooms and 132 wheelchair bays ensure inclusivity.

Beyond football, Brighton & Hove Albion Community Trust activates stadium spaces year-round. Health fairs, educational workshops and local sports clinics transform the bowl into a genuine community hub, reinforcing Albion’s civic mission.

Transport & Accessibility

Sustainability & Green Initiatives

Environmental stewardship was baked in from day one. Rainwater harvested from roofs irrigates the pitch and fills lavatories. LED lighting across concourses cuts energy use by 60%. The stadium’s “cut-and-fill” excavation avoided 22,000 lorry journeys, and ongoing recycling programmes aim for zero-to-landfill matchdays.

Future Expansion & Ambitions

Brighton & Hove Albion has secured outline permission to take capacity to 40,000. Plans envisage a second tier above the North Stand with 5,500 new seats, additional hospitality suites and a self-contained matchday fan village. Advanced steelwork provisions were integrated at build-time, meaning the next growth phase can launch quickly once funding aligns.