Chelsea Football Club plans to expand the spectator capacity of its Stamford Bridge stadium in Fulham, UK.
The club is in talks with local engineers, architects and surveyors to devise ways to improve the stadium stands, which currently seat less than 42,000 people.
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Last year, Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich commissioned a public study spanning Fulham Broadway to Stamford Bridge, to explore the possibilities of extending the home ground site, and find better access routes for match days.
However, expansion of Stamford Bridge is expected to be challenging as it is surrounded by roads and railway lines, which would need to be relocated.
In view of this, Chelsea FC is considering a total reconstruction of the stadium instead of increasing the site area.
Chelsea FC said: "The process now enters a further local consultation phase.
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By GlobalData"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."
The 12-acre ground is expected to be redeveloped to hold at least 60,000 people.
It is possible that Roman Abramovich will need to fully fund the stadium’s reconstruction, which is estimated to cost around £500m.
If approved, development works may take up to three years to complete and the team would have to play away for that period.
Image: Chelsea football club home ground, Stamford Bridge stadium. Photo: courtesy of Lachlan Fearnley / Wikipedia.
