Todd Boehly has revealed his ambitions to build a new stadium for Chelsea, acknowledging that discussions over the club’s future home could create divisions within the current ownership group.
When Boehly and Clearlake Capital took over Chelsea in 2022, Stamford Bridge’s redevelopment was one of their key challenges. With a 40,000-seat capacity, Chelsea’s stadium is currently the ninth largest in the Premier League and is set to be surpassed by Everton’s new venue.
Meanwhile, other clubs like Nottingham Forest and Leeds United are actively expanding their stadiums, and Manchester United recently announced plans for a £2bn, 100,000-seater stadium near Old Trafford.
Boehly has admitted that redeveloping Stamford Bridge is a complex challenge due to its central London location. Instead, he hinted at the possibility of constructing a brand-new stadium.
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Speaking to Bloomberg, Boehly explained:
“We have a significant stadium development opportunity that we need to explore. Either the owners will be aligned, or we may eventually decide to part ways.
“With a 16-20-year outlook for Chelsea, we must consider the complexities of building in a dense urban environment.
There are many stakeholders involved, and Chelsea’s fanbase is certainly one of them. However, in the long term, we’re looking at creating something new.”
Boehly also highlighted how stadium development is becoming a major theme globally, citing the expansion of sports infrastructure, including the NBA’s growing interest in Europe.
Ownership Tensions and Site Possibilities
Clearlake Capital, a California-based private equity firm, holds the majority stake in Chelsea, while Boehly shares ownership with US businessman Mark Walter and Swiss billionaire Hansjörg Wyss.
Reports suggest tensions have emerged among the owners, but Boehly insists they remain unified on most matters except for the future of Stamford Bridge.
Over a decade ago, Chelsea’s previous ownership explored a controversial move to Battersea Power Station. Recent reports suggest the club is now considering a potential stadium site in Earl’s Court, just a mile from Stamford Bridge, which has been Chelsea’s home since 1905.
Boehly has faced scrutiny since taking over Chelsea, with fans recently staging protests against the club’s leadership. Addressing the criticism at the FT Business of Football Summit, he said:
“You can’t please everyone all the time. The sooner you realize that, the more freedom you have. You can’t change direction every three minutes based on public opinion.”
Boehly’s stadium remarks come amid Manchester United’s announcement of a £2bn project to build the UK’s largest football stadium. United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe described the vision for a 100,000-seater venue as “the world’s greatest football stadium,” replacing the aging Old Trafford.
With Chelsea currently vying for a top-four Premier League finish, Boehly remains focused on long-term infrastructure plans, ensuring the club’s future home aligns with its ambitions on and off the pitch.
