Chelsea owner Todd Boehly has revealed plans to build a new stadium for the club, acknowledging that discussions over the future of Stamford Bridge could potentially divide the current ownership group.
When Boehly and Clearlake Capital acquired Chelsea in 2022, the future of Stamford Bridge was among the most pressing issues. The 40,000-capacity stadium ranks as only the ninth largest in the Premier League and will soon be surpassed by Everton’s new ground.
Other clubs, including Nottingham Forest and Leeds United, are actively working on stadium expansions, while Manchester United recently unveiled ambitious plans for a new 100,000-capacity venue costing £2 billion.
Boehly has hinted that redeveloping Stamford Bridge, located in central London, is a complex task, suggesting that Chelsea may instead opt for an entirely new stadium.
Boehly’s vision for Chelsea’s future
“We have a big stadium development opportunity that we have to figure out,” Boehly told Bloomberg. “And I think the owners will either be aligned, or we ultimately decide to go our different ways.”
He emphasized the complexity of the project, given Stamford Bridge’s central London location.
“It’s not as if we are building something in the middle of a rural environment. We have a lot of constituencies to consider. Certainly, the Chelsea fan base is one. But long-term, I think we’re going to be building something new, and we’ll figure it out.”
Growing focus on stadium development
Boehly pointed to a broader trend in sports infrastructure investment, with major developments happening globally.
“Stadium development is happening around the world. You’re going to see the NBA expanding into Europe, new stadiums and arenas being built. We’re just at the very beginning of this wave, and sporting infrastructure will be a major part of it.”
Ownership rift over Stamford Bridge
Chelsea’s majority owner, Clearlake Capital, shares ownership with Boehly, US businessman Mark Walter, and Swiss billionaire Hansjörg Wyss. Reports suggest that relations among the ownership group have become strained in recent months. However, Boehly insisted they remain aligned on most matters, except for the club’s stadium plans.
“We’ve been aligned on what we’re trying to do and what we’re trying to build,” he said. “If you look at the evolution of the team, we’ve been working together on building a young squad with long contracts. That was all new. In order to do what we’ve done, it’s because we’re aligned.”
Potential new dites for Chelsea’s home
Chelsea’s previous ownership had explored a controversial move to Battersea Power Station over a decade ago. Reports from The Guardian suggest the club has also considered building a new stadium on a site in Earl’s Court, roughly a mile away from Stamford Bridge, which has been Chelsea’s home since 1905.
Manchester United’s stadium ambitions
Boehly’s comments come at a time when Chelsea’s Premier League rivals, Manchester United, have announced plans to build the largest football stadium in the UK. The proposed £2 billion, 100,000-seat venue near Old Trafford aims to become “the world’s greatest football stadium,” according to United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe.
“Our current stadium has served us brilliantly for the past 115 years, but it has fallen behind the world’s best arenas,” Ratcliffe stated. “I believe we may end up with the most iconic football stadium in the world.”
