Portsmouth owner Michael Eisner drops major update on potential Fratton Park expansion plans

Portsmouth owner Michael Eisner has admitted that expanding Fratton Park remains a long-term ambition, but the club have no immediate plans to increase the capacity of their historic home.

With Pompey back in the Championship for another season and thousands of supporters reportedly waiting for season tickets, demand is there for more seats, but Eisner believes the club have other priorities.

Portsmouth won't be expanding Fratton Park anytime soon

Eisner has confirmed that a major expansion of Fratton Park is not currently high on his list of priorities, despite Portsmouth owning land around the stadium in anticipation of eventually developing the fourth stand.

The 84-year-old American businessman has owned Pompey since 2017 and has overseen significant investment in the ground, including work on the North Stand and Milton End.

However, while the club have thousands of supporters on their season-ticket waiting list, Eisner says there is no immediate timetable for adding capacity.

“It'll happen someday but we can't put a date on it,” Eisner told BBC Radio Solent. “I'd like to have more seats and satisfy everybody but I don't think we need them right now.”

He revealed that Portsmouth have already purchased property around Fratton Park with a future expansion in mind, but believes improvements to transport infrastructure would need to accompany any major increase in capacity.

“The bridge is an important part of it too,” Eisner said, referring to long-standing proposals for a pedestrian bridge connecting Fratton railway station with the stadium.

The owner also suggested that supporters should have a say in where the club's money is spent, with investment in the playing squad, media projects and training facilities all competing with a potential stadium expansion.

“We have to build a third pitch in our training ground too,” Eisner added. “There are a lot of things we have to do and there are only so many things you can afford.”

FGG says: Fratton Park expansion can wait for now

Fratton Park is a historic former Premier League venue and, for now, its existing capacity is more than enough for Portsmouth.

There is clearly demand for more tickets, but Eisner is right that the money could arguably be better spent elsewhere at this stage.

Improving the squad and training ground should remain the priority before another major stadium project.