Sheffield football and rugby clubs to share new stadium

Non-league Sheffield FC, widely regarded as the world’s oldest football club, and Sheffield Eagles, the city’s professional rugby league club, have unveiled detailed plans for an innovative new 5,000-seater stadium.

The new stadium, which will be based at the former Sheffield Transport Sports Club site at Meadowhead, will encompass professional football and rugby league facilities, as well as a cricket pavilion, a football museum and an indoor community sports hall.

It is planned that the site will become an international visitor attraction for football and rugby league fans alike and provide an insight into the history and heritage of both clubs.

Sheffield FC, which was formed in 1857, has submitted a planning pre-application to Sheffield City Council with a full application set to be submitted in January.

Sheffield FC Chairman Richard Tims said: “Welcome to a new era of Sheffield FC, the world’s first football club.

“We are pleased to announce our vision for the future: a new stadium back in the Steel City, a joint venture with Sheffield Eagles and a world-class facility, which will benefit the whole community.

“Following years of discussions, we are finally starting to see our plans really gathering pace and have a fantastic project team who are totally committed to making our supporters’ dreams turn into reality.

“This will be somewhere to which, the football’s three billion fans can make a pilgrimage and pay homage to the city which gave the world the beautiful game, as well as a venue for the local community to utilise and enjoy a variety of sports.

“It doesn’t matter whether you support Sheffield United or Sheffield Wednesday, Sheffield FC or Sheffield Eagles, this is about being proud of the region’s sporting heritage and making it a hub for sporting excellence and community engagement in Sheffield and the South Yorkshire region.

“Our target is for the project to be ready for the start of the 2025-26 season. We need everyone to get behind this and once and for all put Sheffield sport well and truly on the map.”