Forest Green Rovers FC to build UK’s first wooden stadium

Forest Green Rovers' new stadium, Eco Park, will be the UK's first eco-friendly wooden sports venue.

Published: December 9, 2024

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Forest Green Rovers FC are developing Eco Park, the UK’s first eco-friendly timber stadium. This ambitious project aims to establish the club as a world leader in terms of sustainability and set a new standard in sports venue construction .

Front view of the eco park stadium — Front view of the stadium. Source: Forest Green Rovers FC

An eco-friendly stadium in the heart of Gloucestershire

The design of Eco Park has been commissioned to the prestigious Zaha Hadid Architects , who have integrated their experience in innovative architecture with FGR’s ecological vision. The stadium will feature a certified laminated timber structure , a renewable material that will help significantly reduce carbon emissions compared to traditional construction methods.

Inside the stadium — This is what the inside of the stadium looks like with its wooden structure. Source: Forest Green Rovers FC

With a capacity of 5,000, the stadium will be built in a natural setting in Eastington, Gloucestershire, and will be surrounded by more than 500 trees and hedges to encourage biodiversity.

As well as being the first modern sports venue built almost entirely from wood, Eco Park will become a global example of low-carbon construction . The transparent membrane on the roof will allow the pitch to receive natural light, eliminating the need for artificial lighting during the day and helping to reduce energy consumption.

Eco Park Campus — Stadium campus. Source: Forest Green Rovers FC

Forest Green Rovers’ new stadium is just one part of a wider plan that includes the demolition of their former home, The New Lawn, to make way for a new sustainable residential area on the same site.

By building 95 low-carbon homes, the project will also help meet local demand for affordable housing. In terms of transport, electric vehicle charging stations will be installed and public transport infrastructure in the area will be improved, promoting sustainable mobility.

Eco Park will change the sports experience!

This stadium will be the first of its kind, an eco-friendly infrastructure that will be expanded in the future. In its initial phase, it will have 5,000 seats , but an expansion is planned to add another 5,000 as demand grows. The stadium will be an architectural gem and will be designed to offer fans a unique experience: seats will be located just 5 metres from the pitch, guaranteeing an uninterrupted view of the action.