Brighton & Hove Albion have confirmed that safe standing areas at the American Express Stadium will be expanded ahead of the 2026-27 Premier League season, giving supporters more space where they can stand safely during matches.
The decision follows a club-run consultation in which a clear majority of fans expressed support for the initiative, reinforcing the club’s ongoing emphasis on improving the matchday experience.
The extension will see additional rail seating installed in the North Stand, allowing supporters to stand throughout the full 90 minutes while maintaining safety with waist-high guardrails, a system designed to boost atmosphere without compromising crowd security.
The club confirmed that this expansion is part of a phased programme of enhancements at the Amex as it continues to evolve in response to supporter feedback and demand.
Brighton first introduced safe standing elements to the North Stand earlier in the 2025 season, reflecting growing fan interest in this model.
With the latest confirmation, more supporters will have access to these areas, which are popular for their improved engagement and vocal support during home fixtures.
What the safe standing expansion means for fans at Amex Stadium
The rail seating system enables supporters to stand safely — a compromise between traditional all-seater arrangements and unregulated standing — and is increasingly common in modern stadium upgrades across the Premier League and beyond.
At the Amex, the expansion will allow sections of the North Stand to formally adopt safe standing, aligning physical improvements with what many fans already do organically on matchdays.
Brighton officials have also communicated that the expansion ties into broader plans for the stadium, which include fan zones and hospitality upgrades.
These improvements aim to create a more vibrant matchday atmosphere and attract more supporters to help fill the ground, which currently holds just under 32,000 spectators in league fixtures.
The club’s consultation process was central to the decision, with the safe standing proposal receiving widespread backing from those surveyed.
This fan-driven approach has been highlighted by supporters as a positive example of Albion listening to its community and acting on feedback in tangible ways.
Brighton’s confirmation comes amid a wider trend in English football, where safe standing has gained traction as teams explore ways to enhance atmosphere while maintaining spectator safety — a balance many supporters and governing bodies now view as possible through modern rail seating systems.
FGG Says
Brighton’s decision to expand safe standing at the Amex Stadium is a reminder that incremental, fan-led improvements can have a big impact on matchday experience.
It shows that stadium evolution does not always require huge capacity increases or megabucks redevelopment — sometimes it is about giving supporters what they want in ways that are safe and structured.
By listening to fans and acting on that feedback, Albion are setting a strong example in the Premier League. If more clubs follow this model, stadium atmospheres across English football could become noticeably more intense and inclusive.