Millwall take big step forward with Den expansion plans

Millwall are moving closer to expanding the Den, as Lewisham Council has approved a 999-year extension of the current lease for the stadium. The plans, approved in January 2022, will allow for the construction of approximately 3,500 new homes on the land surrounding the football ground. Additionally, the stadium's capacity is set to increase from 20,000 to 34,000, which includes the addition of an extra tier of seats to the existing stands.

“Millwall Football Club welcomes the news that the initial planning application for the New Bermondsey redevelopment has been approved,” Millwall communications director Billy Taylor told the press.

“This is a significant step forward for what is a much-needed regeneration.”

The new lease agreement would unlock the ability to redevelop the area, named New Bermondsey, as the current lease prohibits such building work from going ahead.

Millwall's new stadium expansion

September 2025 update

Millwall F.C. have officially opened upgraded lounges at The Den, welcoming fans and visitors to enjoy new hospitality spaces during the 2025/26 season and beyond.

Three new lounges, Docherty's, No. 11, and Club 1885, are now available for booking. Each lounge offers unique amenities, including bar access, private restrooms, and flexible seating arrangements.

Docherty's is a premium lounge featuring a bar area, providing supporters with an executive experience. No. 11 offers an executive dining space, where guests can enjoy a four-course meal. Club 1885 is designed in a brasserie style, aiming to deliver a premium matchday experience at The Den.

In August 2025, Millwall announced the extension of a long-standing partnership with Sodexo Live. Sodexo is currently the events and leisure company that provides hospitality, food, beverage, stadium management and other services at The Dens.

🤝 Proudly extending our partnership with @sodexo_live.

👔 The club is delighted to present a multi-million-pound transformation to The Den’s hospitality, conferencing and event services.

— Millwall FC (@MillwallFC) August 15, 2025

November 2024 update

On 31 July 2024, a revised New Bermondsey regeneration plan was approved, which includes building a new London Overground station and developing 3,500 homes near Millwall stadium. The developer, Renewal, may contribute up to £25 million for the station. Transport for London (TfL) is exploring additional funding after the Housing Infrastructure Fund (HIF) withdrew support for a planned station.

The number of affordable homes in the area has decreased from 1,200 to 1,100 due to increased financial commitments to transport infrastructure. Millwall Football Club have endorsed the revised master plan and highlighted their dedication to collaborating with the community and local stakeholders on the regeneration efforts.

⚽️”We couldn't be happier with the recent pitch improvements at Millwall Football Club. GrassMaster installed their hybrid grass precisely on schedule, the project was well managed, and the team was meticulous and really easy to work with. The quality of our pitches has been… pic.twitter.com/CH64jECSrK

— GrassMasterSolutions (@GrassMaster1989) July 24, 2024

What will the New Den look like?

The image above showcases the impressive designs for the redeveloped stadium, known as the Den, once it is completed.

According to the architects behind the designs, the revamped stadium will include essential facilities, such as additional media and player accommodations, to meet the Premier League's entry requirements. This will allow the club to grow beyond its current status.

Additionally, the expansion will enhance facilities for supporters and create opportunities for the club to maximise revenue from corporate hospitality and other income streams.

The new stadium will also feature a public plaza, enabling the club to host events not just on match days but also for the new local community that will emerge from the additional housing being developed around the area.

Currently, the ground is located in a predominantly industrial zone, but these plans aim to completely revitalise the region.

A rocky road up to now

Getting the project plans to this stage has not been easy. The former mayor of Lewisham, Sir Steve Bullock, faced pressure to resign when the council announced its intention to reclaim land from the football club and transfer it to developers.

In response, Millwall threatened to leave the borough of Lewisham. Since then, it appears that the club and council have been collaborating to find a new approach that will benefit both parties.

A new lease is vital for Millwall

That has led to the proposal for the new lease, which would allow Millwall to develop its ground alongside the building of the new homes.

“A revised lease structure has several benefits for the council, including enabling the development of much-needed housing and provision of a new community facility,” council documents read.

“Millwall are an important and valued stakeholder in the borough, providing jobs and driving spend and commercial activity, so a lease structure which supports development will, in turn, support the sustainability of Millwall and will further support jobs, employment and economic activity.”

It’s important to note that there is still a considerable amount of work before any concrete plans for starting the construction are announced. The project is large and complex, involving significant bureaucratic processes. Reports indicate that the construction could take several years to complete.

Do Millwall need to expand the Den?

Expanding stadiums or moving to new ones seems to be all the rage at the moment in English football, but do Millwall really need to increase the capacity at the Den?

While regeneration and renovation work are certainly welcome for a stadium that has remained largely untouched since it opened in the 1990s, the capacity is arguably fine as it is at 20,146.

Over the past three seasons, Millwall haven't come close to averaging 20,000 fans per game, and they have only sold out one match in the last five years.