Populous to lead Orient’s stadium plans

Image: Populous

Leyton Orient Football Club has appointed Populous to lead the planning and design of its new stadium and wider, multi-sport campus in east London.

Populous said the League One club announced in October that it had partnered with the London Borough of Waltham Forest Council to commit to working together to deliver a new home for Leyton Orient.

The two parties are continuing to work closely to identify a suitable site for the project.

The scheme envisions a dynamic, multi-functional campus that includes a new, world-class stadium as a home for Leyton Orient men’s and women’s team, along with a London American Football team playing in the European League of Football (ELF).

The stadium will form part of a revitalised public hub, also including retail, hospitality, leisure facilities and an integrated infrastructure to support matchday and non-matchday activities across the calendar year.

The additional revenue streams will all feed into supporting Leyton Orient’s sporting ambitions; to become a club that can compete sustainably in the Championship.

Leyton Orient Football Club, commonly referred to as Orient, is a professional association football club based in Leyton, Waltham Forest, London, England. The team compete in EFL League One, the third level of the English football league system.

The 9,271-capacity Brisbane Road, currently known as the BetWright Stadium for sponsorship reasons and originally known as Osborne Road, is a football stadium in Leyton, East London, England (UK). It serves as the home venue of Leyton Orient F.C.

Leyton Orient Majority Shareholder David Gandler said: “Appointing Populous is a major milestone and a clear statement of our ambition.

“We’re building a world-class, multi-sport campus that honours Leyton Orient’s heritage while creating a vibrant, affordable, technology-driven destination for our fans and our community. This will be a home that inspires not just for today, but for generations.”

Declan Sharkey, Senior Principal and Global Director at Populous, said: “We are honoured to partner with Leyton Orient at such a defining moment in their journey.

“Our vision is to design a unique stadium and mixed-use development that celebrates the club’s heritage while embracing the future, blending world-class sporting architecture and digital innovation with a vibrant, community-driven neighbourhood. Together, we will create a new landmark for East London and beyond.”

Populous has been selected for its deep expertise in sport and entertainment architecture, placemaking and sustainable design.

The firm has designed venues including Wembley Stadium, Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and the Sphere in Las Vegas, and will now embark on the feasibility and master planning phase, helping Leyton Orient engage with fans, local residents, planning authorities and other stakeholders to refine the vision and bring the project to life.

Over the coming months, the club and Populous will hold supporter and community consultation events and will present emerging designs.

Leyton Orient said it remains committed to delivering a venue that enhances the matchday experience, supports its sporting ambitions and the wider regeneration of East London to provide lasting benefits for fans, local people and its community.

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