Birmingham City unveiled plans for a new stadium on Thursday and some fans thought the blueprints were a bit too blue as they compared chimney structures to sex toys
Birmingham City’s plans for a new stadium have been mercilessly mocked online by fans who compared its chimney-inspired structure to sex toys.
The blues said a new 62,000-capacity stadium would be the centrepiece of a multi-billion pound redevelopment in the city and would be visible from 40 miles away and become a “beacon for excellence for Birmingham”.
The club said the Birmingham City Powerhouse, in Bordesley Green, would be surrounded by 12 chimneys, which reflect a brickworks that once sat on the site while providing structural support for the roof, with one tower containing a lift to a bar overlooking the city.
But while it is said to be a nod to the area’s history, witty fans were quick to make fun of the phallic-like blueprints. One fan said: “Had the chance to do something decent for the city, but no you’ve decided to build the dildo arena nice one lads.”
A second joked: “It looks like Willy Wonka designed a power plant.” Another added: “Willy Wonka meets the Black Country museum.” Someone else quipped: “Lads leave some chimneys for the rest of us.”
Another social media user joked it “looks like a quidditch ground” and someone else labelled it a “bouncy castle”. One history buff joked that legendary steeplejack Fred Dibnah would approve of the design.
A fan of city rivals Aston Villa raged: “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.”
Esteemed newspaper cartoonist Graeme Bandeira asked the club: “Will you be playing with a chimney sweeper?”
Club chairman Tom Wagner club told guests at an unveiling on Thursday: “The stadium draws upon the proud heritage of the West Midlands – a heritage of industry, ingenuity and growth.”
The “steep bowl” design aims to amplify the match-day experience for fans with markets, cafes, restaurants and play areas within the ground.
The Championship club, which is celebrating its 150th anniversary, said its ambition is for the new stadium to be completed for the start of the 2030/2031 football season.
Ex-player Jude Bellingham and Arthur Shelby from Peaky Blinders appeared in a video revealing the stadium at the unveiling at Blues fan Stephen Knight’s Digbeth Loc film studios.
The stadium will “anchor” the new Sports Quarter which is being led by Wagner, co-founder of Knighthead Capital Management, it was said.
The club bought the 48-acre former Birmingham Wheels motorsport site in Bordesley in 2024 and said there will be provision for housing and hotels, recreational facilities and green space.
In June, chancellor Rachel Reeves announced a £2.4bn investment in West Midlands transport links, with the Sports Quarter at the heart of the masterplan.
Wagner added: “This is a huge milestone for Birmingham City Football Club, creating a home for the club that reflects our ambition to compete at the highest level.”
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