Craven Cottage redevelopment: Riverside Stand project updates

Making changes to stadiums is always a risky game with long-time supporters. That's especially true when you're making modifications to a stadium that has stood the test of time for 125 years. Well, the Craven Cottage redevelopment did that. Here we take a look at the full timeline of the Riverside Stand development, which was completed in 2025.

Why did Fulham change Craven Cottage?

The decision to renovate parts of Craven Cottage was undertaken after the club had managed to re-establish themselves as a Premier League club.

A knock-on effect of doing that was an increase in demand for tickets at the stadium, which meant an expansion made sense from a financial perspective. Additionally, the club saw an opportunity to turn the Riverside Stand into a hospitality area, increasing matchday profits further.

Prior to its redevelopment, the stadium had a capacity of only 25,678, but it now has a capacity of  29,600 – an increase of nearly 4,000 seats. 

Craven Cottage redevelopment updates

May 2025 update

In May 2025, the club officially announced that the renovation work was complete and the full Riverside Stand experience was now open.

The final piece of the jigsaw was the unveiling of the Sky Deck's rooftop. For the first time, fans in English football will be able to enjoy the match from the rooftop of a stand. And this isn't any ordinary stand or hospitality experience, either, as the stand backs onto the River Thames, providing guests with panoramic views of the river and London's skyline.

The new Riverside Stand now has 2,303 premium seats available, all of which are situated across layered terraces, balconies and glass-fronted lounges. The seats in the Riverside Stand are also unique, as they are tilted at a 33-degree angle, thrusting supporters into the action like never before.

Fulham's Chief Executive, Alistair Mackintosh, said:

“Our vision for Fulham has always been about honouring tradition while building a future our supporters can be proud of. The Riverside Stand is a symbol of that ambition – a space where community, elegance, and world-class sport come together on the banks of the Thames.

“By blending modern amenities with the charm that defines our club, we’re immensely proud to have created a destination that resonates with both lifelong fans and new visitors alike.”

November 2024 update

After Fulham's 4-1 home defeat against Wolves on 23 November, supporters located in the other three stands at Craven Cottage were permitted to access the Riverside. They were able to enter the Riverside Stand via the newly-opened turnstiles 56-64.

Fulham fans were informed that they were allowed to enter from 5:15pm until 7:30pm. Drink offers were included as part of the post-match experience in the Riverside, including £2 pints of beer, cider, Guinness and pale ale, along with soft drinks and canned wine for £1.

August 2024 update on new Riverside Stand

Ahead of Fulham's first home game of the season against Leicester City, the club announced that the next stage of the Riverside Stand development was set to begin. Turnstiles at both ends of the ground were opened for supporters located in the new stand, as well as a new ticket office at Bishop's Park. Fulham said:

“Supporters seated in The Riverside will now be able to enter from either end of the ground, along the river walkway, with the Hammersmith river walk turnstiles continuing to operate as per the last two seasons and the Bishop’s Park entrance opening for the first time.

“Access to The Riverside from Bishop’s Park can be gained by following the river walk path.”

As well as this, the Riverside opened at 12pm, an hour before the other stands, with pints of beer and soft drinks on offer for £1 and 50p, respectively, until 2pm. The ground floor of the new facility was also upgraded ahead of the first home match of the 2024/25 season, with new kiosks and bars added.

On 6 September, the club announced that seasonal hospitality in the Riverside Stand was available. Guests can now enquire for a place in the different hospitality spaces on the club's website.

Explore The Riverside! ?

Seasonal Hospitality in the Riverside Stand is available. ?️

— Fulham Football Club (@FulhamFC) September 6, 2024

How long has the Craven Cottage redevelopment been planned?

Despite the challenges posed by the River Thames's proximity, the Riverside Stand project has advanced quickly. Fulham's owner, Shahid Khan, announced the redevelopment of Craven Cottage in May 2019.

There is no doubt about Khan's dedication to constructing the new stand. He initially expressed his vision for the Riverside redevelopment in 2013 and has had to formalize an agreement with the council, ensuring he will cover any necessary work to reinforce the adjacent river wall.

Tom Cairney on the Riverside expansion

When the Riverside plans were first announced, club captain Tom Cairney went on Talksport to talk about the project, which was seen as controversial at the time. Speaking about the swimming pool in the Riverside Stand, Cairney said:

“I don't know, maybe the injured players will be watching the game from the swimming pool! I don't know about that, but maybe if we get a big win or get to a final, then we can all jump in the pool, that'd be nice. In our kits!”

Fulham chairman Shahid Khan, said: “My vision was to provide our fans, and our neighbourhood, with a destination that would continue to honour our history and tradition at Craven Cottage every day of the year, but especially on matchdays.

“It isn't about finally being able to offer a higher standard of hospitality options that have essentially been unavailable to Fulham supporters until now. It's about offering the ultimate matchday hospitality experience in the world that will also benefit the long-term promise and future of Fulham Football Club.

“The new Riverside Stand at Craven Cottage will make it possible.”