bet365 Stadium fan zone to boost matchday fun

Article posted by Coliseum, October 27^th, 2023

Image: Stoke City FC

The English Football League (EFL) Championship club Stoke City F.C. have revealed plans for a high quality fan zone at their home arena – the bet365 Stadium in Stoke-on-Trent, England (UK) – with a planning application now submitted to the Stoke-on-Trent City Council.

‘Stoke City FC’ stated that the planned new facility, which is estimated for completion around the start of the 2024-2025 seasons, signifies the latest major investment in the club’s five-year development program at the stadium and training ground.

Preston (UK)-based the English Football League (EFL) is a league of professional football clubs from England and Wales (UK). Founded in 1888 as the Football League, the league is the oldest such competition in the world. It was the top-level football league in England from its foundation until 1992, when the top 22 clubs split from it to form the Premier League, the highest level of the English football league system.

The English Football League Championship, known simply as the Championship in England (UK) and for sponsorship purposes as the Sky Bet Championship, is the highest division of the English Football League (EFL) and second-highest overall in the English football league system, after the Premier League, and is currently contested by 24 clubs.

The Stoke City Football Club is a professional football club based in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, England (UK), which competes in the EFL Championship. Founded as Stoke Ramblers in 1863, the club changed its name to Stoke in 1878 and then to Stoke City in 1925 after Stoke-on-Trent was granted the City status.

The 30,089-capacity bet365 Stadium is an all-seater football stadium in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, England (UK) and the home of the EFL Championship club Stoke City F.C.

The Stoke-on-Trent City Council is the local authority for Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, England. It’s a unitary authority, which means it has the combined powers of a non-metropolitan county and District Council. The Council is administratively separate from the rest of Staffordshire.

‘Stoke City FC’ further stated that sketches designed by AFL Architects show the fan zone, proposed for development adjacent to the North Car Park, featuring a main stage and LED screen alongside several food and drink outlets, covered areas for supporters to congregate, a dedicated children’s area, restrooms, and more.

The AFL Architects is an international architectural firm that specializes in architecture and interior design services for the residential and commercial sectors. The AFL Architects create places for communities to live, play and thrive – working alongside you every step of the way.

Said Richard Smith, Stoke City F.C. Vice-Chairman, “It has been a long-held ambition of the club to construct a fan zone, primarily to enhance the matchday experience at the bet365 Stadium. During the past 12 months we have commenced the process of designing a high quality facility for Stoke City supporters, for which we are now in a position to submit our application for planning. Despite rising production costs causing the club’s scheduled program of infrastructure investments to increase significantly, there remains a steadfast commitment to fulfill our ambitions and make our facilities as good as they can be.”

Stoke City’s Chief Operating Officer (COO), Simon King, added that the prospective fan zone highlights the club’s desire to maximize the potential of the bet365 Stadium.

He said, “In our dialog with supporters, it has been clear that there is significant appetite for a fan zone to be introduced as part of a first-class matchday experience, creating a hub of activity where fans can gather and enjoy live entertainment. We also believe a facility like this will present an opportunity for regular supporter engagement and community activities. Much like other parts of our venue, it is our intention for it to be used for way in excess of 20-30 home matchdays each year. It remains our ambition to hold more significant events at the bet365 Stadium, and clearly a high quality fan zone will be a great addition to our offering.”

King further stated, “First and foremost, however, I hope this facility gives new and existing fans a reason to treat our matchdays as a full day out with family and friends. Subject to planning, I’m hugely looking forward to seeing it come to fruition. We have unbelievable support from our owners whose continuing investment in facilities is enhancing the Stoke City experience and providing an elite environment for the supporters, players and staff.”

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