Ten of the 12 clubs in the WSL are affiliated with a Premier League side, and many are moving into the men’s team’s grounds as they expand.
Chelsea Women made Stamford Bridge their permanent home this month, following moves by Arsenal, Aston Villa and Leicester City, who all play their WSL matches at the club’s main stadiums.
But Brighton’s new stadium will be the first purpose-built ground in the top flight of women’s football in England.
While a new concept in Europe, the world’s first bespoke women’s football ground opened in the United States. Kansas City Current have played at the CPKC Stadium for the past two seasons. And new US franchise Denver Summit are building their own stadium, with a planned opening for the 2028 season.
“To have a stadium designed specifically for the women’s team is a significant moment for the game,” said Brighton manager Dario Vidosic.
“It shows real intent and it tells players across the world that we are serious about high performance and long term success.”
Backed by owner Tony Bloom, the club first announced they hoped to build the new stadium by 2027-28 but they encountered setbacks in their search for land.
In 2025, chief executive Paul Barber told BBC Sport the club were exploring the safety of various surfaces as part of their stadium plans, with a view to reducing injury risk.
They undertook their own research in partnership with local universities, to ensure the surface of their new women’s pitch would be suitable.
Bloom confirmed the club are not currently seeking outside investment in their new stadium.
“Environment is crucial for me, every day, and I have seen the impact of the club’s multi-million-pound investment in the state-of-the-art training facilities,” Vidosic added.
“When players feel valued in the spaces they train and compete in, standards rise. This creates the conditions to push the team forward and continue to compete at the highest level.”
In 2021, the women’s team moved into training facilities at the American Express Elite Football Performance Centre – a result of an £8.5m investment.
At their disposal is a gym, medical centre, changing areas, recovery facility and swimming pools, as well as state-of-the-art training pitches.