Mayor approves new stadium

Chelsea’s 60,000- seater venue clears major hurdle

Chelsea’s plans to build a new 500 million pound ($ 610 million) 60,000 seat stadium cleared another major hurdle on Monday when they received approval from London Mayor Sadiq Khan. “I’m delighted that we will soon add Chelsea’s new stadium to the already fantastic array of sporting arenas in the capital,” Khan said in a statement.

The Premier League leaders plan to build the new arena on the site of their current Stamford Bridge home in west London, which seats 41,631 fans.

The proposals received planning permission from local authorities in January, and the new ground could be completed in time for the 2021- 22 season.

“I’m satisfied this is a highquality and spectacular design which will significantly increase capacity within the existing site, as well as ensuring fans can have easy access from nearby transport connections,” Khan said. “I’m confident this new stadium will be a jewel in London’s sporting crown and will attract visitors and football fans from around the world.”

The new stadium has been designed by Herzog & de Meuron, the architects behind the “Bird’s Nest” stadium used at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games and Bayern Munich’s Allianz Arena.

It will enable Chelsea to bring their match- day revenue more into line with their main Premier League rivals.

Chelsea made 93 million pounds on match days in 201415, according to financial consultants Deloitte, well below Arsenal ( 132 million) and Man- chester United ( 114 million).

Chelsea currently have the seventh- biggest ground in the Premier League and the thirdbiggest in London, behind Arsenal and West Ham United.

The club will have to leave Stamford Bridge – their home since 1905 – for three years during the redevelopment.

They could temporarily relocate to Wembley, which is being used by Tottenham Hotspur next season while their White Hart Lane ground is rebuilt.