Premier League stadium projects in 2025 and 2026 look very different from the large concrete builds of past decades. Clubs are adding new stands and increasing capacity, yet the real story sits in the technology now built into these projects. Supporters want quick entry, clear views, and steady wireless service that works from the turnstile to the final whistle. Clubs want stronger matchday income, reliable systems for large crowds, and facilities that match the scale of global broadcast audiences. This has pushed many projects away from simple building work and toward digital features that reshape how a ground functions every single week.
Stadiums Turning Into Connected Venues
Once the introduction is done, the first thing readers notice is how fast stadium demands are changing. Many supporters now use their phones throughout the match for social updates, replays, or checking odds from betting sites UK players use during in-play moments. These habits only work when a stadium carries strong WiFi or 5G, and clubs have started to add these systems during every upgrade. This not only helps people interested in odds or match trends. It also gives supporters smoother mobile ticket checks, simple seat guidance, and faster payments for food or merchandise.
This change can be seen across several Premier League sites. Manchester City’s North Stand expansion at the Etihad includes space for premium areas, fan zones, and new service points that depend on steady digital signals. These additions encourage supporters to stay longer before and after matches, which helps matchday trade. Crystal Palace’s long-awaited redevelopment of Selhurst Park focuses on a different type of technology. Nearly 1,000 square metres of LED screens now support coordinated visuals around the ground. These displays run pre-match shows, in-game graphics, and sponsor moments that turn the stadium into a lively backdrop during every fixture.
The same trend appears at clubs with slightly smaller venues. Bournemouth’s approved £90 million Vitality Stadium expansion will open the way for new fan areas once construction is complete, which means WiFi zones, interactive screens, and improved digital ticketing. Nottingham Forest’s plans to grow the City Ground to around 52,000 seats follow a similar idea. While their main focus is on a new Peter Taylor Stand, the project also prepares the site for updated systems that will help the ground stay competitive for years.
The New Value of Visual and Audio Technology
Large screens were once limited to simple scoreboards and replays. Today, they play a much bigger part in the matchday scene. Crystal Palace is one of the clearest examples, with high-resolution displays placed across three stands. These screens form a full visual show, with clear graphics and coordinated lighting. The idea is to improve the atmosphere while giving the club a way to run sponsor events, themed matchdays, and music-led build-ups.
Manchester City also plans to support new fan experiences in and around the North Stand. The design leaves space for digital displays, refreshed lighting, and multi-purpose areas that allow bars, lounges, and seated spaces to run in different ways depending on the event.
These changes go far beyond entertainment. They help clubs handle the great demands that come with live broadcasts, global audiences, and rising commercial costs. A stadium with clear visuals, bright lighting, and reliable audio can host more events, from concerts to community gatherings. This brings in income that helps fund the overall expansion.
Wireless Service Becoming Part of Stadium Design
Supporters expect wireless service to work as well inside a building as it does at home. For years, Premier League stadiums struggled with this due to thick materials, large crowds, and older network systems. Clubs now place 5G antennas, access points, and signal boosters directly into their new stands.
Arsenal, though not currently building a new stand, has already taken this approach with recent work at the Emirates. Their upgrades focus heavily on improving signal strength in busy areas. This hints at what other clubs will do as their projects move through planning.
Stronger networks support more than social updates. They help staff check tickets, run payment devices, monitor crowd flow, and send alerts between stewards. When supporters leave a stand, the system can show where people gather or slow down, helping safety teams move staff to the right areas.
Energy Systems and Smarter Construction Choices
While Premier League clubs spend heavily on capacity, many also turn to energy-saving systems. LED lighting uses far less power than older bulbs, while new roof shapes help manage sound and airflow. Barcelona’s Camp Nou project, though outside England, is a well-known example of what these upgrades look like on a large scale. Their renovation includes a vast new roof with solar panels and advanced lighting that lowers long-term costs.
The same ideas appear in Premier League projects. LED systems at Selhurst Park cut power use during evening fixtures. Manchester City’s North Stand redesign allows the club to bring more natural light into concourses and fan areas. These touches matter when a ground hosts matches, tours, and events year-round.
Case Studies Across the League
Several Premier League clubs are deep into building projects:
- Manchester City: A £300 million North Stand expansion that adds almost eight thousand seats. The design prepares the ground for new bars, lounges, and technology-led matchday areas.
- Crystal Palace: Full redevelopment of the main stand at Selhurst Park with one of the most ambitious LED screen installations in English football. This project will give supporters new visual experiences and open the door to wider commercial use.
- Nottingham Forest: Expansion plans for the City Ground that take the capacity to around 52,000, creating space for improved entry points, better seating sightlines, and more digital services.
- AFC Bournemouth: A £90 million project that brings in corner infills, new stands, and updated facilities that make the venue more suitable for lively pre-match and half-time activity.
Other clubs are also preparing long-term plans. Manchester United continues to debate between a full rebuild or a major upgrade. Newcastle United studies options for expanding St James’ Park without losing character. Everton’s move to Bramley-Moore Dock earlier in the year shows how a fresh site can support new layouts, screen systems, and event areas from the ground up.
As these projects grow, one thing becomes clear. Premier League stadiums are no longer judged by seat numbers alone. The attention now sits on the systems that help supporters enjoy each match, help clubs run smoother events, and help everyone in the ground stay connected from start to finish.