View source for Falmer Stadium

{{Short description|Association football stadium in Brighton & Hove}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2014}}
{{Use British English|date=April 2012}}
{{Infobox venue
| name = Falmer Stadium
| nickname = ''The Amex''
| fullname = American Express Stadium
| logo_image = Amex-Stadium-Logo.png
| image = Amex Community Stadium.jpg
| image_size = 250px
| caption = <p>'''[[UEFA stadium categories|UEFA]]''' {{rating|4|4}}</p>
| address = Village Way
| location = [[Brighton and Hove]], [[England]]<br>[[Postcodes in the United Kingdom|BN1 9BL]]
| public_transit = {{rail-interchange|gb|Rail}} {{rws|Falmer}}<br />23, 25 and [[Brighton & Hove Bus Regency Route|28/29]] bus routes<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.buses.co.uk/football-buses|title=Football Buses|access-date=20 August 2022}}</ref>
| broke_ground = {{start date and age|2008|12|17|df=y}}
| built = 2008{{ndash}}2011
| opened = {{start date and age|2011|7|16|df=y}}
| renovated = 
| closed = 
| demolished = 
| owner = The Community Stadium Limited
| operator = [[Brighton & Hove Albion F.C.|Brighton & Hove Albion]]
| surface = Grass
| architect = [[KSS Design Group]]
| general_contractor = [[Buckingham Group]]
| record_attendance = 31,840 vs [[Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C.|Wolves]] (Premier League – 26 October 2024)
| dimensions = {{convert|105|x|68|m|yd|1}}<ref name="cap2023">{{cite web |url=https://resources.premierleague.com/premierleague/document/2022/07/19/40085fed-1e9e-4c33-9f14-0bcf57857da2/PL_Handbook_2022-23_DIGITAL_18.07.pdf |title=Premier League Handbook 2022/23 |page=12 |date=19 July 2022 |access-date=11 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220805212133/https://resources.premierleague.com/premierleague/document/2022/07/19/40085fed-1e9e-4c33-9f14-0bcf57857da2/PL_Handbook_2022-23_DIGITAL_18.07.pdf |archive-date=5 August 2022 |url-status=live }}</ref>
| tenants = [[Brighton & Hove Albion F.C.]] (2011–present){{Unbulleted list|item1_style=background-color:#ccc;|'''Major sporting events hosted'''| [[2015 Rugby World Cup]] <br/> [[UEFA Women's Euro 2022]] <br/> [[2025 Women's Rugby World Cup]]}}
| construction_cost = £93 million
| seating_capacity = 31,876<ref name="Brighton & Hove Albion">{{cite web | url=https://www.brightonandhovealbion.com/club/history/club-history/the-amex-stadium | title=Brighton & Hove Albion }}</ref>
}}

'''Falmer Stadium''', currently known as the '''American Express Stadium''' for sponsorship reasons and more commonly referred to as '''the Amex''',<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theargus.co.uk/sport/23620960.brighton-changed-full-name-amex-stadium/|title=Why Brighton have changed full name of the Amex stadium|website=www.theargus.co.uk|date=29 June 2023 |access-date=29 Jun 2023}}</ref> is a [[association football|football]] stadium in [[Brighton and Hove]], [[East Sussex]], England. With a capacity of 31,876,<ref name="Brighton & Hove Albion">{{cite web | url=https://www.brightonandhovealbion.com/club/history/club-history/the-amex-stadium | title=Brighton & Hove Albion }}</ref> it is the second-largest stadium in [[South East England]], and the [[List of stadiums in the United Kingdom by capacity|30th-largest stadium in the United Kingdom]].

It serves as the home of [[Premier League]] club [[Brighton & Hove Albion F.C.|Brighton & Hove Albion]], and was handed over from the developers to the club on 31 May 2011. The first competitive game played at the stadium was the 2010–11 season final of the [[Sussex Senior Challenge Cup|Sussex Senior Cup]] between Brighton and [[Eastbourne Borough F.C.|Eastbourne Borough]] on 16 July 2011.<ref>{{cite web|title=Sussex FA |url=http://www.sussexfa.com/FixturesAndResults/CountyCups/SussexSeniorChallengeCup/?js=1&tab=fixtures |access-date=31 May 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110929111014/http://www.sussexfa.com/FixturesAndResults/CountyCups/SussexSeniorChallengeCup/?js=1&tab=fixtures |archive-date=29 September 2011 |df=dmy }}</ref> The first league game was against [[Doncaster Rovers F.C.|Doncaster Rovers]], who were also the opponents in the last game played at Brighton's former stadium, the [[Goldstone Ground]], 14 years earlier.

Falmer Stadium hosted [[Premier League]] football for the first time in August 2017, following Albion's promotion at the end of the [[2016–17 Brighton & Hove Albion F.C. season|2016–17 season]]. Falmer Stadium hosted European football for the first time on 21 September 2023 when Brighton played against [[AEK Athens F.C.|AEK]] in the [[UEFA Europa League]].

The stadium was designed to allow hosting for other sports and events. It hosted some matches from the [[2015 Rugby World Cup]] and the [[UEFA Women's Euro 2022]]. It also hosted some [[2025 Women's Rugby World Cup]] fixtures.

==History==

===Plans===
The plans were initiated by [[Brighton & Hove Albion F.C.|Brighton & Hove Albion]] after the club's previous home, the [[Goldstone Ground]], was sold by the club's former board (consisting of Greg Stanley, [[Bill Archer (businessman)|Bill Archer]] and [[David Bellotti]]) to developers in 1995 with no new home arranged.

When the club was evicted at the end of the [[1996–97 Brighton & Hove Albion F.C. season|1996–1997 season]], it [[groundshare]]d for two seasons at [[Gillingham F.C.|Gillingham]]'s [[Priestfield Stadium]], 74 miles away by road, in [[Kent]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.brightonandhovealbion.com/news/2017/april/the-goldstone-20-years-on|work=Brighton & Hove Albion official website|title=THE GOLDSTONE: 20 YEARS ON|first=Kieran|last=Cleeves|date=26 April 2017|access-date=11 October 2017|archive-date=11 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171011232432/https://www.brightonandhovealbion.com/news/2017/april/the-goldstone-20-years-on|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Two years later, the club returned to [[Brighton]] as tenants of [[Withdean Athletics Stadium|Withdean Stadium]], which was upgraded to Football League capacity requirements and later expanded when Brighton reached [[Football League First Division|Division One]] (now the [[EFL Championship]]) in 2002 following two successive [[promotion and relegation|promotion]]s.

The site at [[Falmer]] was identified during the 1998–99 season and it was hoped that the stadium would be ready in the early to mid-2000s. However, subsequent delays in gaining planning permission meant that the club had to wait until August 2011 before being able to play their home games there – more than a decade after the stadium was first proposed.

===Planning permission===
Planning permission was given by the [[unitary authority]] of [[Brighton and Hove City Council]] in June 2002, with the intention of the stadium being ready for the [[2005–06 in English football|2005–06 season]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Falmer Timeline |url=http://www.sussex.ac.uk/falmerstadium/timeline.php |access-date=3 September 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100209025559/http://www.sussex.ac.uk/falmerstadium/timeline.php |archive-date= 9 February 2010 |df=dmy }}</ref> The plans for the stadium were opposed by neighbouring [[Lewes (district)|Lewes District Council]] and local residents. While the stadium lies completely within [[Brighton and Hove]], part of the north-east of the site is in Lewes. Bennett's Field, as it is known, was initially used for parking, but has been abandoned since 2021.<ref>{{Cite web |first=Jo |last=Wadsworth |date=2022-03-22 |title=Revealed: plans for student housing on Amex car park |url=https://www.brightonandhovenews.org/2022/03/22/revealed-plans-for-student-housing-on-amex-car-park/ |access-date=2023-05-23 |website=Brighton and Hove News |language=en-US}}</ref>

Further complications were due to both vacant fields, and the campus of the adjacent [[University of Sussex]], being included in the [[South Downs]] [[Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty]], although outside the [[South Downs National Park|National Park]]. This led to the designation of the stadium plans being the subject of a separate planning inquiry by the [[Office of the Deputy Prime Minister]].

[[John Prescott]], then [[Deputy Prime Minister of the United Kingdom|Deputy Prime Minister]], approved the plans on 28 October 2005. However, Lewes District Council immediately mounted a new legal challenge to the stadium plan. In April 2006, Prescott admitted that he had given his approval based on the misconception that only a small part of the stadium site lay on the Lewes side, and withdrew it.

[[Hazel Blears]], the Secretary of State responsible for planning, re-affirmed the approval on 25 July 2007. Her decision went against the advice of planning inspectors. Lewes District Council, Falmer Parish Council and the South Downs Joint Committee (the three main opponents) announced shortly afterwards that they would not mount a High Court challenge. On 4 September 2007, the deadline for appealing the new grant of permission expired and the club received full permission to proceed.

===Construction===
[[File:Amexstadjuly10.jpg|thumb|left|Falmer under construction in July 2010]]
On 27 November 2008, the [[Buckingham Group]] signed the construction contract for the new stadium<ref>{{cite web|title=Club Signs Stadium Contract |url=http://www.seagulls.co.uk/page/Stadium/0,,10433~1469754,00.html |access-date=25 January 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100904173126/http://www.seagulls.co.uk/page/Stadium/0%2C%2C10433~1469754%2C00.html |archive-date= 4 September 2010 |df=dmy }}</ref> and began preparation work on the site on 17 December. The stadium is set three storeys down into the ground. 138,000 cubic metres of chalk was excavated during its construction, which was put on the field on the south side of Village Way. This has been estimated to prevent 22,000 lorry trips taking the chalk to off-site landfill.<ref>{{cite web|title=The scheme|url=http://www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/downloads/bhcc/Microsoft_Word_-_The_scheme_August09.pdf|access-date=25 January 2011|archive-date=29 September 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110929164138/http://www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/downloads/bhcc/Microsoft_Word_-_The_scheme_August09.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Construction at the site started on 17 December 2008 and finished in May 2011. The stadium was designed with scope for expansion, and plans were put in place to increase the capacity.

The stadium was designed by London-based architects, KSS.<ref>{{cite web|title=BUCKINGHAM TO KICK OFF FOR BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION |url=http://www.buckinghamgroup.co.uk/news.php?id=1726 |access-date=25 January 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110911094432/http://www.buckinghamgroup.co.uk/news.php?id=1726 |archive-date=11 September 2011 |df=dmy }}</ref> The stadium capacity has been expanded, with an extra seating tier being installed above the East Stand (Family stand), which increases the capacity to over 30,000 seats. The deal with [[American Express]] Europe, Brighton and Hove's biggest private-sector employer, confirming the stadium's naming rights was announced on 22 June 2010.<ref>{{cite web|title=Brighton's American Express Community Stadium unveiled|date=22 June 2010 |url=http://www.theargus.co.uk/news/8231146.Brighton_s_American_Express_Community_Stadium_unveiled/|access-date=25 January 2011|publisher =The Argus}}</ref>

===Opening===
[[File:Falmer Stadium - League debut 2.jpg|thumb|The first League game played at Falmer stadium]]
The stadium officially opened on 30 July 2011, hosting a [[exhibition game|friendly]] match against then-Brighton manager [[Gus Poyet]]'s old club [[Tottenham Hotspur F.C.|Tottenham Hotspur]], the home-side narrowly losing 3–2.  The first competitive match had been held on 16 July 2011, when Brighton's [[Brighton & Hove Albion F.C. Under-21s and Academy|development]] squad beat [[Eastbourne Borough]] 2–0 in the [[Sussex Senior Cup]] final,<ref>{{cite web |last1=Roberts |first1=Anna |title=Fans 'nearly in tears' at first Amex game |url=https://www.theargus.co.uk/news/9143991.fans-nearly-in-tears-at-first-amex-game/ |website=The Argus |date=16 July 2011 |access-date=2 February 2023}}</ref> with [[Gary Hart (footballer)|Gary Hart]] scoring the first goal.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Naylor |first1=Andy |title=Hart so pleased to score Amex opener |url=https://www.theargus.co.uk/sport/9144064.hart-so-pleased-to-score-amex-opener/ |website=The Argus |date=16 July 2011 |access-date=2 February 2023}}</ref> The first competitive first team fixture was held on 6 August 2011, when Brighton beat [[Doncaster Rovers F.C.|Doncaster Rovers]] 2–1, after being 1–0 down.<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-sussex-14352820 |work=BBC News | title=Spurs friendly opens Brighton's Falmer stadium | date=30 July 2011}}</ref>

The stadium set its first record attendance with 21,897 against [[Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool]]. They were also the first away team to win a competitive match at the stadium, beating Brighton 2–1 in a [[Football League Cup|League Cup]] tie in September 2011.<ref name=firstdefeat>{{cite news|title=Brighton 1 Liverpool 2: Final Whistle Report|url=http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-fc/liverpool-fc-news/2011/09/21/brighton-1-liverpool-2-final-whistle-report-100252-29465238/|access-date=29 September 2011|newspaper=Liverpool Echo|date=21 September 2011}}</ref> The stadium witnessed its first league defeat in its history when [[Brighton & Hove Albion F.C.–Crystal Palace F.C. rivalry|rival]] side [[Crystal Palace F.C.|Crystal Palace]] came from behind to win 3–1.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/14982392 |title=Brighton 1-3 Crystal Palace |work=BBC Sport |date=27 September 2011 |access-date=18 January 2014}}</ref>

===In use===
On 2 January 2012, Brighton & Hove Albion submitted an application to Brighton and Hove City council to increase the stadium capacity by a further 8,000 seats as well as to add additional corporate boxes, new television facilities and a luxury suite.<ref name="expansionjan12">{{cite news| url=http://www.theargus.co.uk/news/9446804.Albion_s___36_million_plans_to_push_for_Premiership/ |title=Albion's £36 million plans to push for Premiership |access-date=4 January 2012 |newspaper=The Argus |date=2 January 2012}}</ref> This was granted unanimously by Brighton & Hove City Council's planning committee on 25 April 2012. The stadium was expanded to 27,250 by the start of the 2012–13 season, 27,750 by December 2012 and stood at 30,750 by the end of the 2012–13 season.

[[File:England Women 0 New Zealand Women 1 01 06 2019-1061 (47986505521).jpg|thumb|left|[[Ellen White (footballer)|Ellen White]] and [[Abby Erceg]] compete for the ball in the [[women's association football|women's]] international [[exhibition game|friendly]] between [[England women's national football team|England]] and [[New Zealand women's national football team|New Zealand]], at Falmer in 2019.]]
A new record attendance was set on 15 December 2012 when 26,684 saw Brighton draw 0–0 with [[Nottingham Forest F.C.|Nottingham Forest]].<ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/20650141] BBC Sport</ref> This record attendance was broken on 26 January 2013, when 27,113 attended a 3–2 defeat against [[Arsenal F.C.|Arsenal]] in the fourth round of the [[FA Cup]]<ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/21096118 "Brighton 2-3 Arsenal"] BBC Sport. 26 January 2013. Retrieved 27 January 2013.</ref><ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/21218034 "FA Cup: Brighton v Arsenal proved Cup can still have magic"] BBC Sport. 27 January 2013. Retrieved 27 January 2013.</ref> Less than two months later and the record was broken again; this time 28,499 people watched Brighton beat Crystal Palace 3–0 on 17 March 2013.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/21732294 |title=Brighton 3-0 Crystal Palace |work=BBC Sport |date=17 March 2013 |access-date=18 January 2014}}</ref> This record was broken once again on 4 May 2013, on the last league game of the season against [[Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C.|Wolverhampton Wanderers]], 30,003 attended the game. This figure was beaten on 25 January 2015, when Arsenal visited in the FA Cup fourth round to once again win 3–2, in front of an attendance of 30,278. Another new attendance record of 30,292 came on 2 May 2016, when [[Derby County F.C.|Derby County]] visited in the last home game of the [[2015–16 Brighton & Hove Albion F.C. season|2015–16 season]]. A few weeks later this record was broken again when Brighton and Hove Albion played [[Sheffield Wednesday F.C.|Sheffield Wednesday]] in the second leg of the [[2016 Football League play-offs|play-offs]]. The record was broken once again on 24 September 2017 when 30,468 attended Brighton's 1–0 win over [[Newcastle United F.C.|Newcastle United]].<ref name=amexAttRecord24092017>{{cite web | url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/41297234 | title = Brighton & Hove Albion 1 - 0 Newcastle United - Brighton Hang on | last = Emons | first = Michael | date = 24 September 2017 | website = bbc.co.uk | publisher = bbc | access-date = 25 September 2017 | quote = Watched by an Amex Stadium record crowd of 30,468}}</ref> The current record of  31,746 was set at a Premier League match against [[Chelsea F.C.|Chelsea]] on 29 October 2022.<ref name="ES">{{Cite web|url=https://www.sussexexpress.co.uk/sport/football/brighton-and-hove-albion/where-brighton-sit-in-attendance-table-compared-to-crystal-palace-chelsea-west-ham-and-fulham-brilliant-photos-of-fans-3902292|title=Where Brighton sit in attendance table compared to Crystal Palace, Chelsea, West Ham and Fulham – brilliant photos of fans &#124; SussexWorld|date=2 November 2022 |access-date=14 April 2023}}</ref> Falmer Stadium hosted European football for the first time on 21 September 2023 when Brighton played against [[AEK Athens F.C.|AEK]] in the [[UEFA Europa League]].

On 25 March 2013, the stadium hosted [[England national under-21 football team|England's under-21s]] international friendly against [[Austria national under-21 football team|Austria's under-21s]].

In December 2018, it was announced that the stadium would be one of the venues for the [[UEFA Women's Euro 2022]] tournament.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/46412019|title=Women's Euro 2021: England named hosts of European Championship|date=3 December 2018|work=BBC Sport}}</ref>

The stadium uses hawks to scare away seagulls and pigeons.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-sussex-14508585 |title=Hawks to scare pigeons from Brighton's Amex stadium |work=BBC News |date=12 August 2011 |access-date=18 January 2014}}</ref>

===UEFA Women's Euro 2022===
The stadium was one of the 10 venues used to host matches at the [[UEFA Women's Euro 2022]]. It was used to host [[UEFA Women's Euro 2022 Group A|Group A]] matches, which had the hosts [[England women's national football team|England]], and a quarter-final, which also involved England.<ref>{{Cite web |last=UEFA.com |date=2022-08-02 |title=Event guide: Brighton & Hove {{!}} UEFA Women's EURO 2022 |url=https://www.uefa.com/womenseuro/event-guide/brighton-hove/ |access-date=2022-08-02 |website=[[UEFA]] |language=en}}{{dead link|date=March 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable"
!Date !! Home !! Away !! Result !! Attendance !! Stage
|-
| 11 July 2022 || {{fbw|ENG}} || {{fbw|NOR}} || 8–0 || 28,847 || [[UEFA Women's Euro 2022#Group A|UEFA Women's Euro 2022 Group A]]
|-
| 15 July 2022 || {{fbw|AUT}} || {{fbw|NOR}} || 1–0 || 12,667 || [[UEFA Women's Euro 2022#Group A|UEFA Women's Euro 2022 Group A]]
|-
| 20 July 2022 || {{fbw|ENG}} || {{fbw|ESP}} || 2–1 || 28,994 || [[UEFA Women's Euro 2022#Quarter-finals|UEFA Women's Euro 2022 Quarter Final]]
|}

==Rugby Union==
===2015 Rugby World Cup===
The stadium hosted two [[2015 Rugby World Cup Pool B|Pool B]] matches in the [[2015 Rugby World Cup]],<ref>{{cite news|title=Olympic Stadium confirmed on 2015 Rugby World Cup shortlist|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/19868520|access-date=9 October 2012|newspaper=[[BBC Sport]]|date=8 October 2012}}</ref> labelled as the Brighton Community Stadium.<ref>{{cite web|title=Brighton Community Stadium|access-date=22 August 2020|work=englandrugbytravel.com|url=https://www.englandrugbytravel.com/stadium-guide/brighton/}}</ref> The first match was between [[South Africa national rugby union team|South Africa]] and [[Japan national rugby union team|Japan]] on 19 September 2015 where with 29,290 in attendance,<ref>{{cite news |title=Pool B, Brighton Community Stadium, Brighton |url=http://www.rugbyworldcup.com/match/14194#latest |access-date=8 October 2015 |work=Rugby World Cup |date=19 September 2015 |archive-date=23 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923051159/http://www.rugbyworldcup.com/match/14194#latest |url-status=dead }}</ref> Japan caused one of the biggest upsets in Rugby World Cup history by beating twice winners South Africa 34–32. The other match was between [[Samoa national rugby union team|Samoa]] and [[United States national rugby union team|United States]] with Samoa winning 25–16 with 29,178 in attendance.<ref>{{cite news |title=Pool B, Brighton Community Stadium, Brighton |url=http://www.rugbyworldcup.com/match/14195#latest |access-date=8 October 2015 |work=Rugby World Cup |date=20 September 2015 |archive-date=23 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923183835/http://www.rugbyworldcup.com/match/14195#latest |url-status=dead }}</ref> Before them, as a trial run pre-World Cup, the stadium hosted the [[England national under-20 rugby union team|England U20s]] vs [[France national under-20 rugby union team|France U20s]] match in the final round of the [[2015 Six Nations Under 20s Championship]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2015/mar/20/england-win-under-20-six-nations-title|title=England win Under-20 Six Nations title for fourth time in five years|author=Ian Malin|work=[[The Guardian]]|date=20 March 2015|access-date=25 August 2023}}</ref>

In 2019, a film was produced telling the story of [[The Brighton Miracle|the match between Japan and South Africa]], called ''[[The Brighton Miracle (film)|The Brighton Miracle]]''.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2019/sep/03/japan-2015-rugby-world-cup-film-dan-carter-bill-mclaren-play|title=Japan's famous Rugby World Cup win is coming to a screen near you|author=Robert Kitson|work=[[The Guardian]]|date=3 September 2019|access-date=28 September 2019}}</ref>

===2025 Women's Rugby World Cup===
In August 2023, the stadium was confirmed as one of eight host venues for the [[2025 Women's Rugby World Cup]].<ref name="2025 Rugby World Cup">{{cite news | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/66576330 | title=Rugby World Cup 2025: Eight host venues named for tournament in England | publisher=[[BBC Sport]] | date=21 August 2023 | access-date=22 August 2023 | language=en-UK}}</ref> During the tournament, it will be known as the Brighton and Hove Albion Stadium.<ref name="2025 Rugby World Cup Name">{{cite news | url=https://www.world.rugby/news/834606/world-rugby-and-rfu-confirm-host-cities-and-venues-with-two-years-to-go-until-womens-rugby-world-cup-2025 | title=World Rugby and RFU confirm host cities and venues with two years to go until Rugby World Cup 2025 | publisher=[[World Rugby]] | date=21 August 2023 | access-date=22 August 2023 | language=en-UK}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable"
|+2025 Women's Rugby World Cup matches held at Brighton and Hove Albion Stadium
!scope=col|Date
!scope=col|Country
!scope=col|Score
!scope=col|Country
!scope=col|Stage of Tournament
!scope=col|Attendance
!scope=col|Ref
|-
|6 September 2025	 
|align="right"|{{ruw|ENG}} 
|align="center"| vs
|{{ruw|AUS}}
|Pool stage <small>([[2025 Women's Rugby World Cup Pool A|Pool A]])</small>
|
|
|-
|7 September 2025	 
|align="right"|{{ruw|NZL}} 
|align="center"| vs
|{{ruw|IRE}}
|Pool stage <small>([[2025 Women's Rugby World Cup Pool C|Pool C]])</small>
|
|
|}

==Attendances==
[[File:American Express Community Stadium on 09-08-2011 (BHAFC v Gillingham, League Cup First Round) (5).JPG|thumb|right|Brighton playing against [[Gillingham F.C.|Gillingham]] in the [[EFL Cup|League Cup]] in 2011. Brighton and Gillingham [[groundshare]]d at [[Priestfield Stadium|Priestfield]] in [[Kent]] from 1997 to 1999.]]
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;"
 ! Season
 ! Season Average
 ! Highest Gate
 ! Lowest Gate
|-
| [[2011–12 Brighton & Hove Albion F.C. season|2011–12]] || 20,028 || 20,968 || 18,412
|-
| [[2012–13 Brighton & Hove Albion F.C. season|2012–13]] || 25,705 || 30,003 || 21,740
|-
| [[2013–14 Brighton & Hove Albion F.C. season|2013–14]] || ''27,283''<ref>[http://stats.football365.co.uk/dom/ENG/D1/attend.html Sky Bet Football League Championship Attendance Table] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140519145804/http://stats.football365.co.uk/dom/ENG/D1/attend.html |date=19 May 2014 }} Football 365</ref> || ''29,093''<ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/26589057 Brighton 0-2 Ipswich] BBC Sport, 22 March 2014</ref> || ''25,725''
|-
| [[2014–15 Brighton & Hove Albion F.C. season|2014–15]] || 25,645 || 28,890 || 23,044
|-
| [[2015–16 Brighton & Hove Albion F.C. season|2015–16]] || 25,583 || 30,292 || 21,397	
|-
| [[2016–17 Brighton & Hove Albion F.C. season|2016–17]] ||27,972 ||30,338 || 24,116
|-
| [[2017–18 Brighton & Hove Albion F.C. season|2017–18]] ||30,402 ||30,631 || 29,676 
|-
| [[2018–19 Brighton & Hove Albion F.C. season|2018–19]] ||30,464 ||30,654 || 13,651{{dubious|date=October 2023}}
|-
|colspan=4|{{Fix|text=There would have had to be at least about 90 matches for that lowest gate to have so little impact on the average.}}
|}

==Layout==
The West Stand is a three-tiered stand, which holds 13,654 fans, including 14 luxury boxes and the premium 1901 Club and Tunnel Club). The East Stand (including the Family Stand) holds 11,833 fans, with 10% reserved for away fans during cup games.   The North Stand has 2,688 seats. The South Stand, is for visiting away supporters which contains 2,575 seats.

As well as football matches, the stadium is also designed for other sports such as rugby and hockey, and music concerts, conferences and exhibitions.<ref>{{cite web|title=The stadium |url=http://www.sussex.ac.uk/falmerstadium/stadium.php |access-date=25 January 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100714040400/http://www.sussex.ac.uk/falmerstadium/stadium.php |archive-date=14 July 2010 |df=dmy }}</ref> [[Jehovah's Witnesses]] hold their annual convention at the stadium in summer.<ref>{{Cite web |title= Three-Day Programme in Brighton promises Only Good News!|date=27 June 2024 |url=https://www.sussexexpress.co.uk/news/three-day-programme-in-brighton-promises-only-good-news-4681565}}</ref> The stadium's drinking outlets offer [[real ale]]s from two local breweries, [[Harvey's Brewery|Harvey's]] and [[Dark Star Brewery|Dark Star]], both of which supported the club's appeal for a new stadium at Falmer, along with special guest beers from breweries local to the away teams.<ref>{{cite web|title=It's the real deal for ale fans |url=http://www.seagulls.co.uk/page/Stadium/0,,10433,00.html |access-date=25 January 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110821045919/http://www.seagulls.co.uk/page/Stadium/0%2C%2C10433%2C00.html |archive-date=21 August 2011 |df=dmy }}</ref>

The stadium also incorporates a banqueting and conference facility, a nursery school/crèche, 720 square metres of teaching space for the University of Brighton, 1,200 square metres of office space for the University of Sussex, the club shop for tickets and merchandise and above it the 200 capacity bar/lounge named Dick's Bar after the club's life president, Dick Knight.

{{Wide image|AmexPanorama.jpg|900px|A panorama of The Falmer Stadium before expansion looking north from the South Stand}}

==Transport==
[[File:Brighton Falmer railway station in September 2013.JPG|thumb|right|The adjacent [[Falmer railway station]], with the Stadium visible in the backdrop.]]
The stadium is close to the [[A27 road|A27]] Brighton by-pass,<ref name="UOS">{{cite web|title=The site |url=http://www.sussex.ac.uk/falmerstadium/site.php |publisher=[[University of Sussex]] |access-date=25 January 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101212233311/http://www.sussex.ac.uk/falmerstadium/site.php |archive-date=12 December 2010 |df=dmy }}</ref> linking it northbound to the [[A23 road|A23]] and [[M23 motorway]] towards London and southbound to the A270 and the city centre. [[Falmer railway station]] is next to the stadium; it is a nine-minute journey from [[Brighton railway station]] and seven minutes from [[Lewes railway station]], both of which are served by trains from London.
 
The site also includes: a new link road from the A270 skirting the southern edge of Stanmer Park to the Sussex campus; a new high capacity footbridge over the railway at Falmer station; a transport interchange/coach park to the south of the stadium across Village Way; a 1,000-space car park at [[Brighton Aldridge Community Academy]]; alterations to the A27/A270 road junction, including a new flyover; a combined footpath/cycleway; a 150-space car park for club officials, players and disabled drivers; 220 cycle spaces.<ref name="UOS" />

==Awards==
In May 2012, the stadium won the New Venue Award at the Stadium Business Awards.<ref name="Brighton Amex stadium wins best new venue award">[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-sussex-18084063 Brighton Amex stadium wins best new venue award] BBC News</ref>

==See also==
*[[Development of stadiums in English football]]
*[[Tom Hark (We Want Falmer!)]]
*[[List of stadiums in the United Kingdom by capacity]]
*[[Lists of stadiums]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{WikidataCoord}}
{{Commons category}}
*[https://ticket-compare.com/stadiums/amex-stadium/seating-plan/ American Express Stadium Seating Plan]
{{Brighton and Hove Albion F.C.}}
{{Brighton and Hove buildings}}
{{Premier League venues}}
{{2025 Rugby World Cup venues}}
{{UEFA Women's Euro 2022 stadiums}}
{{2015 Rugby World Cup venues}}
{{American Express}}

[[Category:Brighton & Hove Albion F.C.]]
[[Category:Sports venues in Brighton and Hove]]
[[Category:Football venues in England]]
[[Category:Premier League venues]]
[[Category:Sports venues completed in 2011]]
[[Category:Rugby union stadiums in England]]
[[Category:2025 Women's Rugby World Cup venues]]