Chelsea Set to Submit Proposals for Stamford Bridge Expansion

Chelsea look set to stay at Stamford Bridge after the club are preparing to unveil a proposal that will see redevelopment work carried at the existing ground. The club officials appear to have conceded defeat in finding a suitable replacement for Stamford Bridge and also convincing a large section of Chelsea fans to move away from the historical place. London clubs like Arsenal have increased their stadium capacity to 60,000 and have moved to a new place in order to do so. Their Emirates stadium was largely funded by sponsorship money and revenue from the sale of residential plots at the old Highbury stadium.

The blues would have been expecting a similar model and they looked at potential avenues like Battersea Power Station. Failure to secure a site and the continued demand for tickets at the Bridge has forced to the club into looking at a plan that will be on the lines of the Santiago Bernabeu. The pitch at Real Madrid’s stadium is lower than street level and this could be the blueprint towards expanding the Bridge. According to an official club statement, several proposals will be given to supporters and members in an exhibit for a few days. The statementread:

“Mr Abramovich has appointed a professional team to assess, in more detail, the feasibility of expanding the existing stadium capacity at Stamford Bridge Grounds.

“The process now enters a further local consultation phase. This will include an explanation of the rationale for expansion, driven by spectator demand for more seats and the need to increase stadium revenue to remain competitive with our major rivals, this revenue being especially important under Financial Fair Play rules.”

Increasing the stadium capacity to 60,000 will bring Chelsea’s match day revenue in line with the likes of Arsenal and Liverpool, who have also announced a similar expansion at Anfield. Tottenham will also be moving to a new stadium with almost similar capacity. The expansion work is expected to take around three years with an estimated bill of around £500 million. Chelsea can expect to receive a substantial amount back through the sale of naming rights. The blues will have to find a temporary home until any work is complete.