[Albion] Perfect stadium size

[brighton_tom]

The only thing I wish they’d do is add a box in the north east corner to mimic the south east, so the stadium looks more balanced. & then add some sort of shelf/mini tier/boxes over the north. The stadium would then look complete. As for a total capacity I’d rather keep it similar to what it is now, maybe increase it a little, than increase it to 40000+ as that would ensure a packed stadium every week. A stadium that’s 32-35k capacity & is packed out will provide a much better atmosphere than a 40000 seater with lots of empty seats.

 

[Guinness Boy]

I don't know why I started this thread really. I know the current Amex is in reality as big as we're ever going to have, for all the obvious practical reasons listed.

I was hoping for more answers like @Cheeky Monkey's I think!

Ah, if we're playing fantasy stadium then I'd want a HUGE kop end like Spurs or Dortmund. The NS being so small is part of our atmos problem.

 

[Mellor 3 Ward 4]

It's an absolute non-starter of an idea. We wouldn't be allowed to build anything in the South Downs National Park so we'd be back to the ideas that were rejected first time around: Waterhall, Sheepcote, Beeding Cement Works - all non-starters because of lack of public transport access. Shoreham Harbour - way, way too expensive.

The only possible option would be to knock down the Amex and rebuild - and where would we play for two years? Can't see us going back to Gillingham and there's no way that we'd go to Selhurst or Fratton

This

 

[worthingseagull]

it is perfect - just needs a massively improved train service on match days

 

[Gazwag]

Still 1100 tickets left for this weeks game against Man Utd. Can't see the point in increasing the capacity anytime soon.

Although at £55+ per ticket is it really a surprise.

And the very cheap Crawley tickets are very very slow in take up, be interesting to see if many more go this afternoon when it hits the guest tickets but I expected a lot more Albion + sales this morning

 

[Hugo Rune]

Didn’t the club get planning to add a few hundred extra seats on a new ledge above the north stand?

Yes. Planning permission was obtained to get it up to 32.5k capacity. This included a new bar behind a new north stand shelf and a box in the north east corner matching the south east corner.

However, I guess most of these were 1901 or directors box seats and I suspect the numbers didn’t add up after the pandemic/cost of living crisis so the plan was shelved.

I suspect we’ll see the plan return after we win a trophy this season.

 

[Tom Hark Preston Park]

A stadium that wouldn't be big enough to hold all the season ticket holders? Not going to happen

Never say never. Numbers were capped at 10k during the pandemic. Could be all manner of sweeteners offered to the STHs to soften the blow

 

[Milano]

Although at £55+ per ticket is it really a surprise.

And the very cheap Crawley tickets are very very slow in take up, be interesting to see if many more go this afternoon when it hits the guest tickets but I expected a lot more Albion + sales this morning

School holidays

On that subject the Uni isn't back yet, so the kiosks are going to be the usual early season shitshow.

 

[beorhthelm]

It's an absolute non-starter of an idea. We wouldn't be allowed to build anything in the South Downs National Park so we'd be back to the ideas that were rejected first time around: Waterhall, Sheepcote, Beeding Cement Works - all non-starters because of lack of public transport access. Shoreham Harbour - way, way too expensive.

The only possible option would be to knock down the Amex and rebuild - and where would we play for two years? Can't see us going back to Gillingham and there's no way that we'd go to Selhurst or Fratton

you're rather casually ignoring the obvious solutuion of a new pier to hold the staidum. really we could have any size we liked then, in more central location.

 

[Doonhamer7]

As an Albion member last season - I always got a ticket for a game and at least 5 times this was only 2hours before kick off - so capacity is probably right

 

[Rambo]

The only things needed are the west stand water slide and a monorail. Everything else is irrelevant.

 

[chaileyjem]

Although at £55+ per ticket is it really a surprise.

And the very cheap Crawley tickets are very very slow in take up, be interesting to see if many more go this afternoon when it hits the guest tickets but I expected a lot more Albion + sales this morning

Its sold out. All the £55 tickets have gone. The remaining tickets are now on the Exchange are presumably cos ST holders are on holiday and/or happy to watch on TV, can't make a 1230 KO and hence want a refund. (and also Cat A so no cheap) . THat said - there's no signs at all that demand for home/away Albion tickets/games is slacking.

 

[Crawley Dingo]

Top 4 would be 50K.
Championship 20K

 

[WATFORD zero]

We should give some thought to a larger capacity ......................










.....just as soon as we've won a few Premier League titles and some domestic and European trophies

Until then, what we have is perfect

 

[Hometownglory]

Travel aside, I love the Amex. I'd rather a sold out 32k stadium than a 40k seater with 5k+ empty seats every week.

 

[Gazwag]

Its sold out. All the £55 tickets have gone. The remaining tickets are now on the Exchange are presumably cos ST holders are on holiday and/or happy to watch on TV, can't make a 1230 KO and hence want a refund. (and also Cat A so no cheap) . THat said - there's no signs at all that demand for home/away Albion tickets/games is slacking.

I was commenting on the poster who say there are 1k unsold and there are loads at £55 (actually the cheapest is £52) left which is why I said its not a surprise there are quite a few left. I realise the game is sold out and these are STH resale seats so the club will not lose out.

 

[Seagull on the Hill]

The only things needed are the west stand water slide and a monorail. Everything else is irrelevant.

You've forgotten the stairlift to get us old timers up to WSU.

 

[chaileyjem]

I was commenting on the poster who say there are 1k unsold and there are loads at £55 (actually the cheapest is £52) left which is why I said its not a surprise there are quite a few left. I realise the game is sold out and these are STH resale seats so the club will not lose out.

Fair enough. I agree with you - prices are too steep. But for the most part, people are currently paying them.

 

[Cowfold Seagull]

For my money 30k ish is just about the perfect staduim size for a club such as ours, yes at the moment whilst we are rikding high on the crest of a wave, it can be difficult finding a seat for some games, but lets not kid ourselves, the moment we rare elegated, (and it will happen sooner or later), those attendances weill probably start to drop away fsairly sharply. Is there anything worse than playing games in a half empty stadium?

 

[kevo]

I mean it's in line with about 25 other similar sized provincial clubs (with Hull/Reading at one end and Derby/Wolves at the other), so it's hard to argue that 30k isn't about right. That said, we have the biggest hinterland in the country in terms of population and I bet our support is continuing to grow. There aren't many Sussex towns and villages where you don't see kids in Albion shirts these days.


Probably fair. But you do hear the conversation raised on here from time to time. It's somewhat moot anyway as transport links, cost, and probably by-laws prevent expansion over around 33,000 in reality.

But do remember that the Nigels will have a ground holding 34,000 in 35 (sorry I mean "3 to 5") years time when their shiny new stand is built.

But it's not reflected in our attendances even now, is it? Even over the last two seasons, there are plenty of empty seats for most games.

I mean, we are at home to one of the 'biggest' clubs in the world on Saturday, and there are still hundreds of tickets for sale in the exchange.