Chelsea get the green light for brand new $516 million stadium in London

Published Mar. 6, 2017 2:58 p.m. ET

Aaron West

Chelsea’s new $516 million stadium has been given the green light after London mayor Sadiq Khan's approved of plans Monday to demolish Stamford Bridge and build a brand new stadium.

“Having taken a balanced view of the application, I’m satisfied this is a high-quality and spectacular design which will significantly increase capacity within the existing site, as well as ensuring fans can have easy access from nearby transport connections," Khan said in a statement. "I’m confident this new stadium will be a jewel in London’s sporting crown and will attract visitors and football fans from around the world.”

The rebuild will increase Chelsea's maximum attendance from the 41,631 they have now at Stamford Bridge to 60,000, boosting match day revenue appreciably. The new stadium's size will put the Blues on par with rivals Arsenal and Spurs, whose 61,000-seat stadium on the site of the old White Hart Lane is in the process of being completed.

New-Chelsea-Stadium

Photograph: Herzog and de Meuron/Chelsea FC

Planned construction of Chelsea's new stadium, including demolition of the old one, will take approximately three years. During that time, Chelsea will likely play their home matches at Wembley Stadium, similarly to Tottenham this season.

In a statement of their own, Chelsea said: “Following a review by the mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, we are delighted he has chosen to support the council’s decision. This is the latest significant step toward redevelopment of the stadium and the delivery of the extensive local community programme. Further steps lie ahead, both during and after the planning process, before construction work can commence.”