Birmingham City Football Club’s ambitious plans for a state-of-the-art stadium took a significant step forward as a tram test ride highlighted progress on the Metro extension serving the new venue.
Club officials joined West Midlands Mayor Richard Parker, Blues supporters, and transport officials for the short journey from the current Bull Street Metro stop to Millennium Point, an area undergoing major development. This Metro line will ultimately extend through Digbeth to Bordesley, where Blues owners Knighthead Capital are spearheading the £3 billion Sports Quarter project. A centerpiece of this development is the proposed 62,000-capacity Powerhouse Stadium.
Mayor Parker has pledged £400 million toward transport upgrades designed to support this major regeneration effort. The Metro line extension is slated for completion by 2030, coinciding with the stadium’s opening.
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The two-stop tram ride on November 27 marked a milestone following the club’s recent stadium design reveal. Supporters and officials alike celebrated the visible progress toward realizing the long-anticipated vision.
Jeremy Dale, Birmingham City’s chief executive, remarked, “Though currently a short route, this journey signifies tangible progress. The ambition set by Tom Wagner and the Knighthead board is clearly becoming real. Launching the new stadium plans and now delivering part of the tram line is a fantastic moment. Addressing transport has been a major hurdle, especially with our current 28,500-seat stadium. To successfully expand to a 62,000-seat arena, we must transform transport access. The tram link and Adderley Park train station relocation are essential components unlocking the Powerhouse Stadium project.”
Longtime supporter Steve Poole expressed his enthusiasm: “This is mindblowing – five years ago, it seemed impossible. With parts of our current stadium closed, seeing this progress is incredible. The stadium unveiling last week plus this immediate tram development demonstrates momentum. Tom Wagner and the board are not only uplifting the Blues but transforming Birmingham. The city is poised to buzz in the coming years. Tom has injected positivity into supporters and the wider community – it’s game-changing.”
Mayor Parker added, “We’re proud to celebrate the unveiling of the stadium’s designs alongside significant investment in the tram system. The football club insisted we match their commitment with transport connectivity, and we secured the funding to do that. Working closely with Knighthead Capital and the club, we’re progressing in lock-step to transform this part of Birmingham.”