'Looks like Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory': Rival football fans react to Birmingham City's new Powerhouse stadium
Birmingham City football club unveiled the design of its new Powerhouse stadium on Thursday 20 November - and rival football fans had a lot to say about it.
The Birmingham City Powerhouse in Bordesley Green will be visible from 40 miles away and become a "beacon for excellence for Birmingham", Tom Wagner club chairman told guests at the launch on Thursday. Twelve chimneys will surround the ground which will also host different sporting and entertainment events with a retractable roof and moveable pitch.
"The stadium draws upon the proud heritage of the West Midlands – a heritage of industry, ingenuity and growth," Wagner said. However, rival football fans had other opinions on what the stadium looks like.
One user on X said: “Looks like Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory”. This comment in particular was echoed by many others.
Another Aston Villa football fan commented: “I know you want us to be jealous, but rivalries aside, I say this for the City, get rid of a few of those chimneys. I respect that you wanted to pay homage to the brickworks history, but there’s too many, a couple on the entrance would’ve done. It’s even an eyesore in AI.”
A third Villa fan said: “It looks like Willy Wonka designed a power plant”. However, not all the opinions of the new stadium were bad.
A Manchester United fan said: “Like it or loathe it, I think it’s great to see another bold stadium concept thrown out there.
“As a United fan I actually like this, and I’m maybe in the minority when I say I like our new stadium concept. Boring glass bowls have become far too common with modern stadiums worldwide (and all architecture for that matter) - these are at least distinctive.”
An Everton fan added: “I may be in the minority here but i kinda like the new Birmingham City stadium plans, definitely growing on me the more i see it.” The Championship club, celebrating its 150th anniversary, said its ambition is for the new stadium to be completed for the start of the 2030/2031 football season.