Portman Road Stadium second phase revamp

Article posted by Coliseum, November 9^th, 2022

Image: Ipswich Town

The EFL League One team Ipswich Town F.C. has submitted plans to complete further work to their residence – the Portman Road Stadium in Ipswich, England (UK) – and the surrounding areas of the stadium.

‘Ipswich Town Football Club’ stated that the current proposals comprise the second phase of works which began on the stadium last Summer as part of the club’s commitment to develop and improve its home.

The Ipswich Town Football Club is a professional association football club based in Ipswich, Suffolk, England (UK). They play in League One, the third tier of the English football league system.

Apply for membership

The 29,673-capacity Portman Road Stadium is a football stadium in Ipswich, Suffolk, England (UK), which has been the home ground of Ipswich Town F.C. since 1884. The stadium has also hosted many England youth international matches, and one senior England friendly international match against Croatia in 2003.

The English Football League One is the second-highest division of the English Football League (EFL) and the third tier overall in the entire English Football League (EFL) system. The League One debuted for the 2004-2005 seasons.

The English Football League (EFL) is a league of professional football clubs from England and Wales. Founded in 1888 as the Football League, the league is the oldest such competition in the world.

‘Ipswich Town Football Club’ further stated that the last Summer saw major modifications to the South-East corner of the stadium, along with the installation of a giant screen in the stadium bowl, and new dugouts in front of the Magnus Group West Stand.

The works to be considered under this new application comprise three principal elements, including a new playing surface with undersoil heating.

The new surface is a sand-based hybrid and will be equivalent to some of the best football pitches in Europe.

Along with the new surface, the club will acquire requisite plant and equipment for the provision of pitch irrigation and surface water attenuation. The new hybrid pitch and irrigation system will provide an elite level playing surface, representing a major step forward for the club.

Boundary treatment around the pitch will also be carried out, with the installation of a new synthetic pitch perimeter run-off.

This means, outside of the stadium bowl, there will be demolition of the existing turnstiles to the East and West of the Sir Alf Ramsey Stand, currently accessed via Portman Road and Constantine Road.

Boundary treatment to the stadium will then be carried out, with the intention of new turnstile access and egress from the Sir Alf Ramsey Stand via the newly acquired land to the immediate South of the stadium.

In order to provide the plant and services required to support the new state-of-the-art playing surface, the most logical solution for the club is to utilize the area in the South-East corner of the stadium and relocate turnstiles directly to the rear of the Sir Alf Ramsey Stand.

The new turnstiles will also be fully automated, the first-of-its-kind at the Portman Road Stadium.

The head honcho of Ipswich Town F.C. Mark Ashton stated, “We are delighted to have submitted these plans. The new pitch reconstruction will provide an elite level playing surface, therefore giving our playing squads the best chance of success. The extensive lifespan of the new pitch will also aid the club’s typical annual close season pitch refurbishment schedule, to ensure a quality playing surface year on year. Relocating the existing turnstiles that are currently split between Portman Road and Constantine Road will provide a more streamlined entry to the Portman Road Stadium, further enhancing the matchday experience for our supporters. We hope the supporters are excited about the plans, and we look forward to work commencing.”

Once the club has a timeline for work, season ticket holders in the Sir Alf Ramsey Stand will be contacted regarding amended entrance plans.

Continue to follow Coliseum for latest updates on venues business news. Coliseum is dedicated towards building the best global community of sports and entertainment venue executives and professionals creating better and more profitable venues.

Become a member of the only Global Sports Venue Alliance and connect with stadiums, arenas and experts from around the world. Apply for membership at coliseum-online.com/alliance and make use of the 365Coliseum Business.

Watch 250 member-exclusive videos with valuable tips for your venue