No more Stamford Bridge, but no new stadium either!

Abramovich Puts Super Stadium Plans On Hold and Looks to sell Naming Rights Instead

Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich had been making tentative plans to leave Stamford Bridge, home of 106 years, and move to a new purpose built 60,000 stadium at Earls Court, but the land that had been looked at is set for new housing once next years Olympic Games come to an end.

It does not mean that there will be no new stadium for Chelsea, plans have just been put on hold for now. Attention will now turn to finding a sponsor for Stamford Bridge as Chelsea look to follow Manchester City and rename Stamford Bridge to the highest bidder.

Samsung are currently Chelsea’s shirt sponsor and they would be the most likely candidates if it came down to a bidding war. Plans are also being put in place to rename all the stands at Stamford Bridge as Chelsea try and secure some much needed funds.

Chief Executive Ron Gourlay is working tirelessly to secure a deal, and is desperate to match the £10million per season that Manchester City are reported to be getting from their sponsor Etihad Airways.

Current capacity at Stamford Bridge is 42,000 depending on segregation and ticket allocations, but the ground is simply not big enough for the plans of Roman Abramovich, and he fears his beloved club are lagging behind not just Manchester United, but Manchester City now as well.