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Chelsea could be on the verge of leaving Stamford Bridge as Todd Boehly explores the possibility of building a new 60,000-seater stadium in Earls Court.
Reports suggest that the government might even contribute funding should Stamford Bridge be repurposed for housing.
New stadium plans back on the table
The idea of relocating Chelsea’s home has been discussed for years, with former owner Roman Abramovich securing approval for a new stadium in 2015 before scrapping the plans in 2018. However, according to The Sun, Boehly is now working to revive the project, identifying land in Earls Court—once home to an exhibition and concert center—as the club’s preferred site.
For any move to materialize, Chelsea would need approval from the Chelsea Pitch Owners (CPO), a supporter-led group that owns the stadium’s freehold and rights to the club’s name.
The legacy of Stamford Bridge
Stamford Bridge has been Chelsea’s home since 1905, when the club’s founder Gus Mears moved them into the historic ground, which was originally built in 1877 for the London Athletic Club. While a relocation would be a major step, any transition would take time, and Chelsea are not expected to leave Stamford Bridge in the immediate future.
The Blues will continue playing at their historic stadium for now, including this weekend’s Premier League clash against West Ham, as they look to recover from last weekend’s defeat to Manchester City. The game will also mark the return of former Chelsea manager Graham Potter to the ground for the first time since his departure.