In early March 2024, it was announced that English Premier League side Brighton & Hove Albion plans to build a two-storey event area that will serve food and drinks called the ‘Fan Zone.’
The news comes at a great time for the team. Despite a particularly strong 22/23 season for the Seagulls – a break from the lower- to mid-rankings, which was becoming something of a classic table position for the team – 23/24 has seen something of a dip from form, although there have been plenty of golden moments.
A new season is just around the corner, and a fresh start for the club could be just what the doctor ordered – we just need to get to the other side of EUFA 24 first.
Here is a closer look at everything we know so far about Brighton’s planned new Fan Zone area. Plus, we will also be revealing their chances of finishing in the top four at the end of the season, which is fast approaching.
What is the new Fan Zone area that’s coming soon to the Amex Stadium?
The new Fan Zone area that’s coming soon to Brighton & Hove Albion’s home ground, the Amex Stadium, was recently given the green light after receiving unanimous backing from Brighton & Hove City Council’s planning committee.
It will be more than just an area that serves food and drinks.
The new area will replace the existing kiosks that are currently situated by the railway line at the club’s stadium in Falmer, and it will also include space for storage, toilets, and shops.
In other good news for Brighton fans, it looks as though Dick’s Bar won’t have to close, meaning fans will still be able to get drinks at this iconic pre-turnstile bar. Dick’s Bar is also included in future plans and is expected to be incorporated into the new Fan Zone.
Currently, there’s just one local pub in Falmer village where fans can spend time before kick-off, but it tends to get too busy during home games. The new Fan Zone will give fans somewhere new to go with more space.
Other elements fans can look forward to in the new Fan Zone are screened Brighton matches and other screened sporting events.
The project aims to improve the dated and slightly shabby exterior that currently wraps around certain parts of the stadium.
It will also create many new jobs during and after construction and hopefully improve biodiversity in the stadium’s surrounding area.
While some objections have been voiced regarding the new two-storey Fan Zone at the Amex Stadium, most feedback has been positive, and the project has been seen as an exciting new phase for the club and local area.
Some people raised concerns about possible noise complaints, but others are confident that local students won’t complain about the noise and that it would also give them a chance to work outside of their studies.
Some have argued that it will bring too many people to the area and could end up causing disturbances, while others have argued that it wouldn’t increase numbers and that roughly the same amount of people would visit the Fan Zone as per normal.
How Often are Stadiums Changed or Renovated?
Stadium renovations aren’t all that common. They require great investment and planning (and permission) before anything gets underway.
Typically, all of these changes are found in the seating and standing areas – done to accommodate more fans inside the stadiums as well as ensure that their safety is meeting the rigorous standards demanded by governments and authorities.
A fan-zone – though definitely part of the stadium itself – could be considered a different thing. These areas for fans to gather enable clubs to harness and maximise sentiment towards the club, get the atmosphere going before a game (the 12th player on the pitch!).
Fan parks are common sight at major international competitions or finals, set up in public areas with big screens, so fan zone implementation at major English stadiums, while very American too, follows that trend. Engaging fans is an absolute necessity for the business of football clubs but also its culture.
