Premier League football stadium with 30k capacity undergoes big change | UK | News

A Premier League football stadium with a capacity of more than 30,000 is set for a major summer overhaul aimed at improving facilities for disabled fans and introducing expanded safe standing areas. Newly promoted Ipswich Town FC confirmed a series of close-season works at Portman Road, including significant changes inside the stadium bowl ahead of the new campaign.

The club said the work would “vastly improve” the matchday experience for disabled supporters, while also increasing capacity in parts of the ground by installing safe standing areas in the lower tier of the Sir Bobby Robson North Stand. Construction is already under way in the West Stand, where the dedicated disabled supporters’ area in Block DA is being relocated from the Sir Alf Ramsey South Stand end to a section closer to the North Stand.

The current Block DA area will then be converted back into standard seating.

As part of the redevelopment, a new reception and entry point for disabled supporters will be created off Sir Alf Ramsey Way, leading directly to the new seating area.

The club said the revamped section would include accessible changing spaces, improved access to concourse and seating areas, additional accessible toilets and increased capacity for disabled supporters and carers.

Ipswich Town’s Disability Liaison Officer Lee Smith said the work followed an audit carried out during the club’s first season back in the Premier League.

He said: “We are pleased to be able to offer significant upgrades to the facilities available to our disabled supporters.

“An audit conducted during the 2024/25 Premier League season highlighted areas where we could make improvements and we have been committed to investing in these at the earliest opportunity.

“The new facilities will make a real difference to so many disabled supporters attending games at Portman Road.”

The club is also upgrading toilet facilities for all supporters in the West Stand, with further improvement works planned outside the stadium bowl.

As part of the installation works, seating for disabled supporters will be added at the very front of the stand, leading to a small number of seat moves for existing season ticket holders.

Away supporters will continue to be housed in the Cobbold Stand, with the away allocation expanded in line with Premier League rules.

The club said supporters affected by the changes would be contacted directly by the ticket office, while disabled fans would also be invited to dedicated drop-in sessions with club staff.

Founded in 1878, Ipswich Town are one of English football’s most historic clubs, winning the old First Division title in 1961-62 under Sir Alf before later lifting the FA Cup and UEFA Cup under the legendary Sir Bobby.

The Suffolk side spent much of the last two decades outside the top flight before a dramatic revival under manager Kieran McKenna, who guided the club from League One to the Premier League in successive seasons.

Portman Road, Ipswich’s home since 1884, currently holds just over 30,000 supporters and was regularly sold out during the club’s return to the Premier League.

Ipswich endured a difficult first season back among England’s elite and finished 19th in the Premier League table, suffering relegation back to the Championship after struggling to compete financially with more established top-flight sides.

Despite relegation, the club has continued to invest heavily in infrastructure and supporter facilities as part of wider long-term redevelopment plans backed by the club’s ownership group.

The summer works are expected to be completed before the start of the 2026/27 Championship season.