Knighthead Capital Management, the US owners of Birmingham City Football Club, today unveiled their striking vision for a new 62,000-seater stadium in what will be the Sports Quarter.
The stadium design, developed by Heatherwick Studio and MANICA Architecture, will host a range of different sporting and entertainment events.
Located in Bordesley Green in East Birmingham, it will become a major new city landmark that reflects the region’s industrial heritage while embracing cutting-edge engineering, the club said.
Heatherwick Studio secured the design commission in collaboration with MANICA Architecture, a global leader in sports and entertainment venues, and Steven Knight, the acclaimed writer, filmmaker and lifelong Blues supporter.
‘Reflects our ambition to compete at the highest level’ – Tom Wagner
The first images of the proposed design were unveiled at Digbeth Loc Film Studios in Birmingham, coinciding with the club’s 150th anniversary celebrations.
Tom Wagner, Knighthead Co-CEO and Birmingham City Chairman, said: “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.
“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.”
High-performing acoustics will amplify the sound of the crowd
The designs feature a retractable roof and moveable pitch, enabling year-round flexibility for major sporting events, international music concerts and large-scale cultural experiences.
The stadium’s high-performing acoustics will amplify the sound of the crowd, creating an unforgettable atmosphere for home supporters.
Twelve chimney-form towers echo the brickworks that once sat on the site. They will provide structural support for the roof while accommodating lifts and staircases and helping with ventilation.
Birmingham’s highest bar, offering citywide views
One chimney will include a lift to Birmingham’s highest bar, offering citywide views and an immersive storytelling experience.
Thomas Heatherwick, founder and design director of Heatherwick Studio, said: “Too often, stadiums feel like spaceships that could have landed anywhere, sterilising the surrounding area. 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.”
David Manica, president and owner of MANICA Architecture, said: “Birmingham is a resilient and passionate community, so the design of this new stadium needed to embody the grit and passion of its people. The Powerhouse’s design is both intentional and meticulous, paying homage to a passionate fanbase while laying the foundation for the Bluenoses of tomorrow.”
New stadium to be completed for 2030-31 season
Knighthead and the club have begun a period of consultation with local people, fans, political representatives and planning officers before lodging a planning application for the Sports Quarter in 2026.
The ambition is for the new stadium to be completed in time for the start of the 2030-31 season.
