Aston Villa Plan Upgrades for Year-Round Venue

Aston Villa has planned upgrades for Villa Park and the area surrounding the Premier League club’s home field since 1897. 

The Lions — the 20th-most valuable soccer team in the world at $750 million, per Forbes  — are looking to submit a planning application but will first allow local residents and businesses to weigh in on potential upgrades via a survey available until July 24.

Aston Villa’s proposed upgrades have the support of government entities. The club is working with the Birmingham City Council and the West Midlands Combined Authority on its plans.  

• The club plans to invest more than $122 million into the first phase of improvements.
• Capacity would increase from 42,682 to more than 50,000.
• It believes the upgrades can turn Villa Park into a year-round entertainment venue.
• A final decision on the project is expected to be made by the end of 2022. 

Proposed upgrades at Villa Park and the area surrounding arrive amid increased demand to attend Aston Villa matches. The club currently has 25,000 fans on its season-ticket waitlist, despite being one of 11 Premier League clubs that raised upcoming season-long ticket prices. 

Premier League Upgrades

Aston Villa joins several Premier League clubs upgrading their home venues. Last year, Liverpool announced upgrades to Anfield, increasing capacity from 53,394 to over 60,000.

West Ham is also planning to upgrade London Stadium ahead of the 2022-23 season, which includes increasing capacity to 62,500 — an increase of 2,500 seats.