06:00, 23 Nov 2025<\/p>\n
![\"Birmingham](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/0_JS388388190-1.jpg\")
Birmingham City chairman Tom Wagner during the unveiling of the club’s new stadium plans at Digbeth Loc Studios, Birmingham(Image: Jacob King\/PA Wire)<\/p>\n
\u201cBirmingham is a city that at times is under-appreciated,\u201d Blues chairman Tom Wagner told the crowd at Digbeth<\/a> Loc Studios. \u201cNot anymore.\u201d<\/p>\n Addressing the gathered political leaders, dignitaries and football players, Wagner was sharing his vision of a bold new chapter for Birmingham<\/a> \u2013 one with the city firmly on the global stage.<\/p>\n His ambitious remarks came just seconds after the design for Birmingham City\u2019s<\/a> new 62,000-capacity stadium was revealed in a slick video starring the likes of Jude Bellingham, Tom Brady and Peaky Blinders<\/a>\u2019 Arthur Shelby.<\/p>\n READ MORE: <\/strong>Birmingham City chairman issues hopeful message about area’s transformation as new stadium revealed<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n The stadium\u2019s striking look, with its numerous towering chimneys, has impressed fans and already attracted a huge response on social media.<\/p>\n What was clear at the milestone event was the enormous optimism that the venue will help transform the Bordesley Green<\/a> area into a sporting and cultural destination attracting visitors from across the world.<\/p>\n The new stadium, christened The Powerhouse, is proposed to be part of the wider Sports Quarter project, which has plans to include a \u201cworld-class\u201d training centre, women\u2019s stadium, arena and mixed-used development.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is a city of innovators, of creativity, of resilience, and of course of strength,\u201d Wagner said as he brought his speech to a close.<\/p>\n \u201cIt is a city that is writing a new story and we\u2019re proud to be playing our role.\u201d<\/p>\n After a difficult couple of years for Brummies amid financial strife at the city council<\/a> and an ongoing bins strike, here\u2019s a look at how the highly-anticipated Sports Quarter project could forever change Birmingham.<\/p>\n 1) A \u2018modern-day, globally-recognised colosseum\u2019<\/strong><\/p>\n The club announced the purchase of a vacant site in east Birmingham, formerly known as Birmingham Wheels, from the city council last year and have since outlined intend to create a \u201cglobal destination\u201d.<\/p>\n \u201cThere will be a modern-day, accessible colosseum [at the heart of the Sports Quarter],\u201d Wagner said during his speech.<\/p>\n \u201cA sporting venue that will stand tallest in the city, visible for many miles around.<\/p>\n \u201cIt will be a beacon of excellence for Birmingham on the global stage \u2013 attracting the very best sporting and entertainment events.\u201d<\/p>\n But as well as attracting \u201cexperience-seekers from across the globe\u201d, Wagner also stressed that the stadium would benefit the local community and be usable 365 days a year \u2013 not just on match days.<\/p>\n The club has said this week that the wider precinct has been designed as a year-round destination \u2013 with markets, caf\u00e9s, restaurants, play areas and social spaces for all.<\/p>\n 2) Music and events \u2018will benefit hugely\u2019<\/strong><\/p>\n The ability to host major events, such as concerts, at the new stadium has been a huge consideration for those behind the project.<\/p>\n The club has said the plans feature a retractable roof and moveable pitch, enabling \u201cyear-round flexibility\u201d for major sporting events, international music concerts and large-scale cultural experiences.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s the place where the world\u2019s best will want to perform,\u201d Wagner said this week. \u201cIt will have the best acoustics and fan experience anywhere in the world.\u201d<\/p>\n READ MORE: <\/strong>Tom Wagner projects \u00a3750m windfall from Birmingham City Powerhouse<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n This element of the design has been welcomed by Lyle Bignon, Night Time Economy (NTE) Ambassador for Birmingham, who said: \u201cThe city\u2019s credentials in the global sports and music industries will be significantly boosted by the news today.<\/p>\n \u201cThe music, events and NTE ecosystem \u2013 not just in Birmingham, but nationally \u2013 will benefit hugely from this striking new development.\u201d<\/p>\n 3) Massive economic impact<\/strong><\/p>\n Knighthead estimates that around \u00a3750m will roll into the Sports Quarter each year.<\/p>\n \u201cI want to say it\u2019s three quarters of a billion pounds per year, my gut tells me that we\u2019ll do better than that because we keep seeing more interest in what we\u2019re doing,\u201d Wagner said this week.<\/p>\n \u201cDifferent types of entertainment venues, different types of acts and different forms of teams and entertainment that want to come and be a part of it.<\/p>\n \u201cMy sneaking suspicion is that this is going to be used quite a bit more than any of us realise today.\u201d<\/p>\n 4) \u2018New homes, new jobs and new hope\u2019<\/strong> Following the stadium reveal, Mr Wagner was asked by the Local Democracy Reporting Service<\/a> about when the wider benefits of the Sports Quarter project, such as housing and the arena, could be realised.<\/p>\n \u201cAs quickly as possible,\u201d he said during a press conference. \u201cA lot of those benefits are in the process of being put together today.\u201d<\/p>\n He went on to say that it was \u201cimportant to get the stadium launched and brought to the world\u201d so momentum could be built around other elements of the Sports Quarter.<\/p>\n \u201cMany [parts of the project] are very far along,\u201d he continued. \u201cWe\u2019re being thoughtful about how we sequence the construction.\u201d<\/p>\n He added however that \u201cmore than just the stadium\u201d will have been built in five years\u2019 time if he had his way.<\/p>\n READ MORE: <\/strong>Major ‘gateway’ scheme in Birmingham’s creative quarter given green light<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n The proposals to transform the area have been hailed by local politicians, including by Mayor of the West Midlands<\/a> Richard Parker.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is yet another bold statement of intent from Tom Wagner and Knighthead as they transform not only this proud club but also the community that it\u2019s stood at the heart of for 120 years,\u201d the Labour<\/a> Mayor said this week.<\/p>\n \u201cNew jobs, new homes and new hope are coming.\u201d<\/p>\n 5) Transport \u2018will match club\u2019s ambitions\u2019<\/strong> Following the stadium reveal, Mayor Richard Parker also said he was \u201cstepping up with funding for a public transport network that will match the club\u2019s ambitions\u201d.<\/p>\n He said this would open up more opportunities for the people of Small Heath<\/a> and East Birmingham.<\/p>\n It was announced earlier this year that funding had been secured from the government for a new tram route to be built out to East Birmingham and the Sports Quarter project area.<\/p>\n This funding is part of a \u00a32.4billion government boost to the West Midlands transport network, announced by Chancellor Rachel Reeves in the summer.<\/p>\n![\"Birmingham](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/0_WhatsApp-Image-2025-11-20-at-171324-1jpeg.jpg\")
Birmingham City FC chairman Tom Wagner addresses the crowd at the stadium reveal event at Digbeth Loc Studios(Image: Alexander Brock)<\/p>\n![\"Knighthead](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/0_JS388386622.jpg\")
Knighthead this week unveiled the designs for Birmingham City Football Club’s new stadium, developed by Heatherwick Studio and MANICA Architecture<\/p>\n![\"Peaky](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/0_WhatsApp-Image-2025-11-20-at-171321jpeg.jpg\")
Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight and Blues chairman Tom Wagner speak to members of the media(Image: Alexander Brock)<\/p>\n![\"Birmingham](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/0_JS371430150-1.jpg\")
Birmingham City chairman Tom Wagner (centre) is joined the by chancellor Rachel Reeves and West Midlands mayor Richard Parker at St Andrew’s @ Knighthead Park<\/p>\n