Las Vegas Sands says it will build Birmingham a 60,000-seat stadium if council allows them to build a super casino next door.
Plans to build a new 60,000-seat stadium in Birmingham without costing local taxpayers a penny have been described as a “once in a lifetime opportunity” by Birmingham City football club’s managing director Karren Brady.
Rather than be funded by the council, the stadium would be paid for by American casino company Las Vegas Sands, who would give the stadium to the council in return for the right to build a super-casino on the site. The council would then rent the stadium to Birmingham City FC, who currently play in the 30,000-seat St Andrew’s stadium.
The new stadium, which would also host athletics tournaments and international cricket matches, would be based on the design of Melbourne’s Telstra Dome in Australia. It would have a fully-retractable roof, seating 60,000 at full capacity, or 40,000 when the lower-level spectators’ area was taken out to reveal the running track and cricket pitch.
The site, near Birmingham Wheels Park on Adderley Road South in Saltley, is being developed by HOK International. The council believes that a new stadium and casino complex would regenerate the area.
