Brentford Stadium Opening Delayed By A Year

Team now to start playing fixtures at new ground in 2020/21 season

CGI image of new stadium and development. Picture: Brentford FC

Brentford FC have confirmed that they now plan to switch to playing at their new stadium in the 2020/21 season.

They had previously been aiming to leave Griffin Park in the 2019/20 season but ‘the complexity of large-scale building works’ and other technical factors have led to the timetable for the move being pushed back. They now plan to take occupation of the new ground on Lionel Road South in the summer of 2020.

Construction work on the new 17,250-seater stadium has been underway for more than four months and the stadium is starting to take shape. Piling works for the foundations are now 90 per cent complete, the first parts of the steel frame in place, and the laying of sections of terracing for the south stand are proceeding.

In a statement issued to fans the club said, “In conjunction with our development partners, EcoWorld London and their building sub-contractors, Buckingham Group, and having reviewed all of the relevant factors and views, we are delighted to confirm to all our supporters and fans that Brentford FC will play a full final season at Griffin Park and then move to our new stadium at the end of the 2019/20 season and in good time to commence the 2020/21 season.

“Given the complexity of large-scale building works adjacent to railway lines, the need to anticipate the normal delays and problems that inevitably arise in a complicated construction project, and the operational challenges surrounding a mid-season move, our view is that an end of season move is best. This of course gives us the chance to give Griffin Park a proper full season’s send off as we mark the Club’s 130th year during the 2019/20 season.”

The stadium has to be built before the club can start selling the flats in the ‘enabling development’ that surrounds it. Concerns have been expressed that, given poor sales of flats in the area recently, that the financing of the stadium may become more difficult. Initially the development of Griffin Park site into houses will provide capital for the completion of the new stadium.

When built the stadium will be suitable for both Premier League football and Premiership rugby, together with more than 900 new homes, a new purpose-built location for Brentford FC Community Sports Trust, and a public square with shops and cafes.

August 28, 2018