Stadium changes aim to bring a 'slight competitive advantage'

Brighton's head of commercial, Russell Wood, spoke to BBC Radio Sussex about part of the club's stadium development plans to generate a greater atmosphere:

"We're going to put a new tier on the North Stand, which will be a new hospitality concept. The concept is deliberately designed to help drive atmosphere; it will be home fans only and wearing football shirts will be encouraged. The North Stand is an area that generates a lot of atmosphere and we want it to be complimentary to that.

"The away fans behind the goal look quite prominent at the moment. The perception could be that they are 25% of the stadium, when the reality is that they are less than 10%.

"We want to move them from behind the goal into the south west corner and spread them across two tiers. We think there will be a small competitive advantage [for Brighton], whether that is a slightly broken atmosphere in the away end or allowing our home fans to be more prominent and loud.

"The players have commented on taking penalties in front of the away fans, [they would] prefer to be in front of the home fans. Past and present managers have said it's not ideal.

"It will be ready for the 2027-28 season."

Listen to the full interview on BBC Sounds