Chelsea Go For New Stadium - 11/02/2007

Chelsea have confirmed that they are going for a new super stadium after calling off talks about expanding Stamford Bridge's capacity. Deadlock was reached in discussions over evacuation plans on the cramped site with limited access points and health and safety rules. Earl's Court Exhibition Centre is the front runner for the site of the new stadium. Other possible locations include Wembley and White City in west London where Fulham have considered moving. The optimum capacity for a new stadium is considered to be between 50,000 and 55,000. Matchday revenues should increase by £17m from £57.5m last season to £75m if they sold out a 55,000 capacity ground. Arsenal's ticket income doubled overnight after moving from Highbury to the Emirates.