Stadiums of the Future in England

England wants to build futuristic stadiums. The new Trafford for Manchester United, a redeveloped Etihad, and the revamped stadiums of Aston Villa and Leicester are set to become the new showcases of English football. But will the future destroy the rich traditions of the game on the island?

Today, we’ll take a look at several locations — from the smallest wooden stadium on the list to a 100,000-seat venue in Manchester, whose bold design hasn’t won everyone over. Let’s get started!

  1. Eco Park 5,000, Forest Green Rovers

    The first project we’re presenting today comes from Zaha Hadid Architects. The main arena will seat 5,000 spectators, with the possibility to expand to 10,000. The design places great emphasis on sustainability — extensive use of timber and renewable energy are its key features. The stadium will have single-tier stands surrounding the entire pitch, partially covered by a lightweight wooden roof.

  2. New Underhill 7,000, Barnet FC

    The new Underhill stadium will accommodate 7,000 spectators. The east and south stands will be partially sunken into the ground to reduce the overall height and preserve the views for local residents. The entire complex will be surrounded by trees and green areas — the project strongly focuses on biodiversity and rewilding.

  3. Oxford United New Stadium 16,000, Oxford United

    The new venue will have a compact rectangular shape with rounded corners and single-tier stands of equal height on all sides. The main stand will be visually divided into upper and lower sections, and glazed hospitality boxes will be added along the north and west sides. The entire structure will be covered, with 1,200 solar panels installed on the roof.

  4. Edgeley Park 18,300, Stockport County

    Edgeley Park is set for a major redevelopment, involving three out of four stands. The first phase includes the expansion of the Danny Bergara Stand and construction of a new roof, along with a complete rebuild of the Railway End. In the second phase, a new Together Stand will be built. In the third phase, the north stand will be extended westward, symmetrically to the east side. It will retain its low profile and characteristic brick façade, but will run the full length of the pitch.

  5. Power Court Stadium 25,000, Luton Town

    Power Court, located in the city centre, is set to become the new home of Luton Town. The site was designated for redevelopment as early as 2015, with the stadium as its centrepiece. The new capacity — around 25,000 seats — marks a significant increase from the original plan of 17,500. Power Court will replace the outdated Kenilworth Road and meet all the standards of a modern Premier League venue.

  6. Wasps RFC Stadium 28,000, Wasps RFC

    Next on our list is the plan from the re-emerging Wasps RFC. Although the club suspended operations in 2022, they now plan a major comeback — with a new stadium. In November 2024, it was confirmed that the site for the investment had been secured. The new stadium will have continuous stands around the pitch, a large car park, and extensive fan facilities.

  7. The Den 34,000, Millwall

    Millwall plans to expand The Den without demolishing its existing structure. The idea is to gradually increase capacity by adding extra tiers to the current stands. The façade will reflect London’s architectural traditions, using classic London stock brick and archways reminiscent of the local railway viaducts.

  8. Selhurst Park 34,259, Crystal Palace

    At Selhurst Park, Crystal Palace is preparing for an ambitious redevelopment. A new west stand will increase the stadium’s capacity. It will include hospitality boxes, skyboxes, and a club lounge by the tunnel. Despite reaching a height of 41 metres, the structure is designed not to disrupt the surrounding area. Architecturally, it draws inspiration from the 19th-century Crystal Palace pavilion and the eagle’s wings — the club’s symbol.

  9. City Ground 38,000, Nottingham Forest

    The redevelopment plan for City Ground in Nottingham involves a complete rebuild of the South Stand, which will gain a second tier. Architects from Benoy have opted for a simple, modern form with a perforated façade. The other stands will also be upgraded to two-tier structures.

  10. King Power Stadium 40,000, Leicester City

    Leicester City is planning to expand its stadium to 40,000 seats, focusing on redeveloping the East Stand. It will gain a second tier with around 8,000 additional seats. The new stand will be topped with a lightweight ETFE dome, giving the stadium a modern and distinctive look. As part of the project, a new indoor arena, a 220-room hotel, and other commercial facilities will be built.

  11. Bramall Lane 41,300, Sheffield United

    Sheffield United plans to add a second tier to the South Stand, making it the tallest in the stadium. Externally, it will feature semi-circular columns and large glass panels. The Kop stand will also be expanded, adding 3,400 more seats.

  12. Villa Park 50,000, Aston Villa

    Aston Villa is planning major changes at Villa Park. The North Stand, built 50 years ago, will be demolished and replaced with a modern structure that harmonises with the surroundings. The stadium redevelopment will go hand in hand with upgrades to transport infrastructure. Construction is expected to be completed by late 2027, in time for Euro 2028.

  13. Elland Road 53,000, Leeds United

    Elland Road is steeped in history, but the club’s growing ambitions have made the current stadium feel too small. Leeds United has presented plans for a significant capacity increase, and the redeveloped venue is expected to closely resemble Anfield. Liverpool’s stadium has already undergone a similar modernisation.

  14. Etihad Stadium 61,958, Manchester City

    Manchester City is expanding the North Stand as part of a broader redevelopment project. New commercial and entertainment facilities will be built, including a covered fan zone, restaurants, a museum, club shop and hotel. The stand itself will gain an expanded second tier, increasing capacity without the need for a third level.

  15. New Trafford Stadium 100,000, Manchester United

    Manchester United is going even further — the club plans to build an entirely new stadium right next to the current Old Trafford. Once completed, the existing stadium will be demolished. The design by Foster + Partners envisions a capacity of 100,000, making it the largest stadium in the UK and the second-largest in Europe. Former Liverpool player Jamie Carragher commented that the design looks like something from Dubai and doesn’t suit the working-class character of the neighbourhood or the club’s traditions.

Watch the video, where we presented each project in detail.