Chelsea are yet to decide whether to redevelop Stamford Bridge or leave their historic home and build a new stadium elsewhere, with supporters divided over the club’s long-term plans.
The club’s current options are understood to be limited to two. Chelsea could demolish Stamford Bridge and rebuild on the existing site, a process that would require the team to play elsewhere for several years. Wembley Stadium is considered the most likely temporary venue.
Alternatively, Chelsea could relocate and construct a new stadium at another site. However, many supporters remain opposed to leaving Stamford Bridge, while the Earl’s Court site – previously considered as a potential option – now appears unlikely after the Earl’s Court Development Company said it had other plans for the location.
A setback earlier this week has revived debate among fans, although sources within Chelsea believe a solution involving Earl’s Court may still be possible. football.london reported earlier this year that the possibility should not be completely discounted.
Any move away from Stamford Bridge would also require approval from Chelsea Pitch Owners (CPO), the supporters’ organisation that owns the freehold to the land on which the stadium stands.
Last month, Chelsea Pitch Owners chairman Chris Isitt said on the organisation’s social media channels that it had not received any formal relocation proposals.
The balance of opinion among supporters is difficult to quantify, but online discussions indicate that more fans favour remaining at Stamford Bridge. West Ham United’s move from Upton Park to the London Stadium is frequently cited as a warning, with many of the club’s supporters still unhappy about leaving their former ground.
A new stadium is not necessarily viewed as an improvement by supporters. Some relocations have succeeded, but others have left fans unhappy about being separated from their traditional home.
Under Roman Abramovich’s ownership, Hammersmith and Fulham Council Planning Committee approved plans to redevelop Stamford Bridge. The Chelsea Supporters’ Trust welcomed the decision at the time, saying: “We are delighted that the Hammersmith & Fulham Council Planning Committee has approved the application for the redevelopment of Stamford Bridge. The club has been at the heart of the community for 112 years, and we welcome Mr. Abramovich’s decision to rebuild the stadium rather than move elsewhere in London, and the Council’s unanimous approval of these exciting and ambitious plans.”
The statement added: “Stamford Bridge and Chelsea Football Club can now continue to be part of the community for many years to come, playing in one of the best stadiums in the countrya stadium that will reflect our rich history.”
Less than 18 months later, Abramovich suspended the plans because of visa renewal issues. The statement was issued in January 2017 and, nearly a decade on, Chelsea’s stadium future remains unsettled. The club has also changed owners during that period.
Chelsea’s current ownership does not consider renovating the stadium stand by stand to be feasible, meaning a phased redevelopment has effectively been ruled out. The club is therefore left with the choice of rebuilding Stamford Bridge from scratch or relocating.
Supporters are keen to see progress, but sources say finding a stadium solution will take considerable time.
