Falmer Stadium

Brighton & Hove Albion spent decades without a permanent home before the Falmer stadium was finally built. The road to a modern, purpose-built arena was unusually long and contentious.

Loss of the Goldstone Ground and nomadic years

The club left its historic Goldstone Ground in Hove in 1997 after the board sold the site to a developer. Supporters staged passionate protests, but the decision stood. Between 1997 and 1999 Brighton played home matches at Gillingham FC's ground over 100 kilometres away — one of the most unusual temporary arrangements in English football history. The club then moved to the shared Withdean Stadium, an athletics track with a capacity of around 8,500, where they remained for 12 years.

Construction and opening

Planning for a new stadium had been discussed since the early 1990s, but the project faced prolonged legal battles and environmental reviews. The decisive planning approval came in 2007 after years of appeals. Construction began in June 2008 and the stadium opened on 16 July 2011 with a friendly match against Tottenham Hotspur. The working name during planning and construction was simply Falmer Stadium. In the year of opening the venue was renamed the American Express Community Stadium following a sponsorship agreement.

Capacity expansion

When the stadium opened its capacity stood at 22,374. Following the club's promotion to the Premier League in 2017, the North Stand was expanded, raising the total capacity to the current 31,876. The expansion moved the Amex firmly into the bracket of established Premier League arenas.

The Amex is a modern compact stadium that channels crowd noise well, and Brighton supporters have built a reputation as a passionate and loyal fanbase during their Premier League years.

Fan culture

The loudest section is the North Stand, home to the most active supporters. Blue-and-white Seagulls colours dominate the terraces on matchdays. A central part of the supporter experience is the anthem Sussex by the Sea, which fills the stadium during player warm-ups and goal celebrations. The memory of the nomadic years — Gillingham, Withdean — gives a generation of fans a particular appreciation for having a permanent home, treating the Amex as something that should never be taken for granted.

Big matches

The Amex has hosted several historically significant moments. In the 2022/23 season, Brighton under Roberto De Zerbi played some of their finest football at the Amex and finished 6th in the Premier League — the club's highest-ever league position. The stadium hosted European football for the first time when Brighton competed in both the UEFA Europa League and Conference League that season. The sold-out European nights during the 2023/24 campaign produced some of the most intense atmospheres in the ground's short history.

Falmer is one of the most accessible football stadiums in England thanks to its dedicated railway station, making a car journey entirely unnecessary for most visitors.

How to get there

• Train: Falmer station (Coastway East / Lewes-Eastbourne line) is 200 metres from the stadium entrance; journey time from Brighton is approximately 10 minutes
• Bus: Services 25 and 25X run from Brighton city centre
• Car: Limited paid parking is available at the stadium; park-and-ride or the train is strongly recommended on matchdays
• Cycling: The cycle route from Brighton via the University of Sussex campus takes approximately 30 minutes

Tickets and tours

Match tickets for Brighton & Hove Albion FC are sold through the official club website; Premier League demand means a large proportion of home fixtures sell out. Season-ticket holders occupy a significant share of the capacity. The stadium offers guided tours that include the dressing rooms, players' tunnel, and media facilities.

Visitor tips

• When to arrive: The train is far more convenient than driving; plan to arrive at least 60 minutes before kick-off
• Around the stadium: Cafés and restaurants on the University of Sussex campus are within walking distance
• Nearest city: Brighton offers a full range of restaurants, bars, and hotels — just 10 minutes by train from the stadium