New Stadium Design Unveiled for Birmingham City FC

Knighthead Capital Management, the owners of Birmingham City Football Club and the minority stakeholders of the Birmingham Phoenix cricket team, has unveiled a new stadium design for Birmingham City Football Club.

The proposed 62,000-capacity stadium, designed in collaboration with Heatherwick Studio and MANICA Architecture, would be expected to host a range of sporting and entertainment events.

Situated in Bordesley Green in East Birmingham, the owners said that the stadium would become a major new city landmark within a planned Sports Quarter development, and that it would “transform the area into a vibrant sporting and cultural destination”.

The first images of the proposed design, which reflect the region’s industrial heritage and showcase cutting-edge engineering, were unveiled on November 20 at Digbeth Loc Film Studios in Birmingham to coincide with the football club’s 150th anniversary celebrations.

Heatherwick Studio secured the design commission in collaboration with boutique architectural firm MANICA Architecture and British screenwriter Steven Knight, the creator of Peaky Blinders and a lifelong Birmingham City supporter.

“This is a huge milestone for Birmingham City Football Club, creating a home for the club that reflects our ambition to compete at the highest level,” Knighthead Co-CEO and Birmingham City Chairman Tom Wagner said. “More than that, the iconic design is a statement of intent for the City of Birmingham and the West Midlands, testament to a region that is on the rise.

“The stadium draws upon the proud heritage of the West Midlands — a heritage of industry, ingenuity and growth. I believe those same qualities can create a new era of success on and off the field and prosperity for local communities that have been starved of opportunities for too long.”

Key Stadium Design Features

The stadium designs feature several notable features, including a retractable roof and moveable pitch that allow for year-round flexibility to accommodate major sporting events, international music concerts and large-scale cultural experiences.

To create the most intense matchday moments, the steep bowl design is set to create a 360-degree wall of fans to enable them to be as close to the pitch as possible. Equally, high-performing acoustics will amplify the sound of the crowd.

The stadium will be surrounded by 12 chimney-form towers that mirror the brickworks heritage of the site and provide structural support for the roof. One chimney will feature a lift to a bar that will become the highest of its kind in Birmingham.

The wider precinct is projected to become a year-round destination that includes markets, cafes, restaurants, play areas and social spaces.

“Too often, stadiums feel like spaceships that could have landed anywhere, sterilising the surrounding area,” said Thomas Heatherwick, Heatherwick Studio founder and design director. “This stadium grows from Birmingham itself – from its brickworks, its thousand trades, and the craft at its core.

“It’s also a wholehearted place for the community. The stadium will truly come alive where it meets the ground; a place for play, gathering, and everyday life. The goal is to capture the spirit of the city and give it back to Birmingham.”

“Birmingham is a resilient and passionate community, so the design of this new stadium needed to embody the grit and passion of its people,” MANICA Architecture President and Owner David Manica said. “The Powerhouse’s design is both intentional and meticulous, paying homage to a passionate fanbase while laying the foundation for the Bluenoses of tomorrow.”

Projected Completion

Before lodging a planning application for the Sports Quarter next year, Knighthead and Birmingham City announced that they had begun a period of engagement and consultation with local fans, political representatives and planning officers. The owners are planning for the new stadium to be completed in time for the 2030–2031 season.

Earlier this month, Knighthead completed a full takeover of Birmingham City through its subsidiary, Shelby Companies Limited. It follows the club’s promotion to the EFL Championship for the current 2025–2026 season.