Fratton Park redevelopment: Latest news on Portsmouth stadium renovation and Milton End stand

Portsmouth submitted plans to expand Fratton Park in 2020, and slow progress has continued since. The key focus of the Fratton Park redevelopment is the Milton End stand.

Rail seating has been installed in other areas of the ground to increase the capacity of this stand and help Portsmouth maintain its total capacity by improving its ability to meet safety regulations.

What is happening to Fratton Park?

Over recent years, Fratton Park has undergone several work periods, some aimed merely at keeping the ground operational. Football has been played at Fratton Park since 1899, but little has been done to upgrade the infrastructure since Portsmouth's relegation from the Premier League in 2010, making renovations urgently needed.

A few years ago, Portsmouth CEO Andrew Cullen stated that the club needed to install new cladding to meet fire regulations to avoid being “completely closed down.”

In 2020, Portsmouth submitted plans to extend the Milton End stand at Fratton Park, which included adding 400 seats and improving spectator facilities. The plans also proposed extending the roof backwards to provide cover for spectators, both inside and outside the stadium, as well as creating a new viewing area for disabled fans.

These enhancements were essential not only for improving the fan experience but also because the stadium's capacity was continuously being reduced due to safety regulations.

“It had reached a point where it was likely capacity would fall as low as 10,000,” said Cullen.

In June 2021, Portsmouth announced that the Fratton Park redevelopment would begin with an expected completion time of four seasons and would cost £10m.

Over the summer of 2023, seats in the Milton End were ripped out to make way for the renovation, which includes connecting this stand to the adjacent North Stand.

In September 2023, rail seating was successfully installed in the back ten rows of the Fratton End, allowing the club to apply for a safe-standing licence from the Sports Ground Safety Authority. This followed the previous installation of rail seats as part of the ongoing Milton End redevelopment.

Are there plans for another Fratton Park redevelopment?

Pompey's home ground is currently undergoing an extensive redevelopment aimed at enhancing both the venue's capacity and its overall aesthetic appeal. Originally budgeted at £12 million, the cost of the project has now exceeded £15 million, reflecting the complexity and scale of the improvements.

This redevelopment marks a significant milestone in Portsmouth's history, particularly for a stadium whose capacity has diminished over time due to ageing infrastructure. The renovations are designed to modernize the facility and restore its place as a vibrant hub for fans and the community.

The primary focus of the redevelopment has been on the North Stand and the Milton End, two key areas that are crucial for accommodating supporters during matches. However, the work has also extended to other parts of the stadium that were in dire need of refurbishment. Notably, a new television gantry has been installed in the South Stand, which is expected to enhance broadcasting capabilities and improve the viewing experience for fans at home.

Other significant areas receiving attention include the Victory Lounge. A space intended for socializing and hospitality and the ongoing upgrades to the North Stand, which will provide supporters with improved seating and amenities. Overall, the redevelopment is set to breathe new life into the stadium, ensuring it not only meets modern standards but also preserves the rich legacy of Portsmouth Football Club.

In February 2024, Cullen, told fans he had set his sights on extending the North Stand.

At the Tony Goodall Fan's Conference, Cullen ruled out the possibility of filling in the corners at Fratton Park any time soon, explaining to fans that an expanded North Stand makes more sense from a business point of view. He said:

“We have looked at the possibility of filling in corners at Fratton Park to add extra seating. We could do it, but it would be hugely expensive to do compared to the relatively small number of seats that would be delivered.

“The main priority has to be the North Stand. That’s important not just for adding significantly more seats, but in the context of enabling the wider development of the area north of the stand, including for mixed commercial/residential properties as has been outlined in the Portsmouth Local Plan.

“It would be a huge expense, partly financed by the extra income we’d make from the wider development and increased ROI (return on investment) from future revenue from ticketing and other commercial activities projected from within any newly redeveloped stand.”

An increase to the North Stand would increase the capacity at Fratton Park to over 25,000, according to estimates.

History of Fratton Park

Fratton Park is more than 120 years old. It is the only professional English football ground not found on the mainland of Great Britain. Fratton Park is on Portsea Island, built in 1899 on the site of a market garden in Milton, a village on the island.

The ‘Fratton Park' name was used to link the ground to the nearby train station ‘Fratton'. In fact, the station and the ground weren't that close, but it encouraged supporters to attend.

Fratton Park's peak came in the 1930s, when, following two stand reconstructions, the capacity reached 58,000. This was reduced to 52,000 after safety regulations were introduced following the Burnden Park disaster (1946) at Bolton Wanderers.

The Portsmouth stadium was a host stadium for the 1948 London Olympics, and in the following season, Portsmouth won the Division One title and set a stadium record, with 51,385 watching their FA Cup sixth-round match against Derby County.