Birmingham City have released new images of their proposed 62,000-seater stadium but the bold design was instantly mocked by rival fans across social media.
The Championship side presented the concept at a launch event on Thursday as part of their 150th anniversary celebrations, though online reactions were far less enthusiastic.
Since Knighthead’s 2023 takeover, Birmingham have pushed ambitious plans on and off the pitch, and the futuristic design in Bordesley Green reflects that intent.
Chairman and co-owner Tom Wagner said the club “could not be more excited,” calling the project a major milestone for Birmingham City and the region.
He said the stadium would showcase the West Midlands’ heritage of “industry, ingenuity and growth,” and he believes it can inspire a new era of success and opportunity.
But Aston Villa supporters quickly ridiculed the design. One fan on X said it looked like “an upside down table built in Minecraft,” while another joked it resembled “a power plant designed by Willy Wonka.” Others compared it to a “bouncy castle” or something drawn by “nursery kids.”
Jude Bellingham and minority owner Tom Brady attended the launch, with Brady revealing that NFL games could also be staged at the venue named the ‘Birmingham City Powerhouse’.
Thomas Heatherwick of Heatherwick Studio said the aim was to create a stadium that grows from Birmingham’s identity, not “a spaceship that could have landed anywhere.”
David Manica of MANICA Architecture added that the design embodies the “grit and passion” of the Birmingham community and lays foundations for future generations of Bluenoses.
