#swanseacomstadium — Public Fediverse posts

SWANSEA CITY: Planners give fan zone the green light in principle — but the club has got some work to do

The principle is fine. Planners have accepted that a covered fan zone capable of holding more than 1,700 supporters behind the South Stand at the Swansea.com Stadium — with self-pour beer taps, a big screen and bierkeller bench seating — is an appropriate use of the site. The site is in the right location, it serves an identified need, and the planning history supports it.

But the response is detailed, and AFL Architects have a fair bit of work to do before a formal application can go in.

The most immediate problem is trees. The plans appear to show the building line coming right up to the row of trees along the southern edge of the active travel path — the walking and cycling route that runs along the northern edge of the site. Planners say those trees must stay, and the building will need to pull back to accommodate them.

The site behind the South Stand at the Swansea.com Stadium outlined in red, showing the constraints the architects have had to work around — including the tree-lined public path, existing lampposts and the electricity substation (Image: Swansea City FC / AFL Architects)

That active travel route — which connects the Swansea City FC stadium area to the city centre and railway station — is a recurring theme throughout the response. Planners want a clearer design solution for how fans arriving at the fan zone will safely coexist with cyclists and pedestrians using the path.

The fan zone site sits in the same rapidly developing part of Swansea as the proposed new home for the Landore Park and Ride, which is being studied for relocation to Alamein Road just across from the stadium — a sign of just how much development pressure is building up in this corner of the city.

The area is moving fast in all directions — and construction on the £49m Skyline Swansea cable car and luge attraction began today, with earthworks starting on Kilvey Hill and groundworks under way at the Landore Park and Ride basecamp.

On design, the architects are told to go further. Planners want vibrant colours on the exposed steel framing, clerestory windows, a butterfly truss to bring in natural light, and an entrance canopy that takes design cues from the triangular structures of the stadium and the adjacent footbridge. The view toward Kilvey Hill — where the Skyline cable car could one day be visible — is flagged as an opportunity to exploit from the mezzanine level.

Accessibility is a gap in the current submission. The plans include a mezzanine level — which planners support — but say nothing about how wheelchair users and people with mobility needs will reach it. External lifts are recommended, and planners suggest making them a visual feature rather than something bolted on as an afterthought.

South Wales Police have also had their say, and their concerns are serious. They want physical hostile vehicle mitigation — barriers meeting security standard ISO 22343-1 — to prevent vehicles being used as weapons against crowds arriving at the fan zone. CCTV coverage, appropriate lighting, and measures to lock down the structure when not in use are also required.

And then there’s Martyn’s Law. The club will need to demonstrate how the fan zone complies with the Protected Duty under the legislation introduced following the Manchester Arena bombing. Given the venue’s capacity of more than 1,700, it falls within the enhanced tier — meaning formal security planning is not optional.

Noise is another issue. Residential properties in the Copper Quarter, including seven-storey apartment blocks with river-facing balconies, lie to the east. A designated Quiet Area sits around 70 metres away. A Noise Impact Assessment will likely be required, and the club needs to set out clearly what hours it proposes to operate — including for non-matchday events.

On the question of location — the site is outside a defined retail and leisure centre, which requires justification under planning policy — planners are broadly satisfied. They accept the fan zone serves a specific need linked to the stadium and couldn’t simply be relocated to a nearby retail park.

But they want the formal application backed up by stronger evidence: Championship fan zone comparisons, supporter experience data and the club’s own fan engagement plan would all help make the case.

There’s also a drainage note worth flagging for the architects. A sewer pipe runs beneath the active travel path to the north of the site, which could constrain construction.

The architects now have the full response and will be working on revised proposals. The club has publicly said it wants the fan zone ready for the 2026/27 season — a timeline that is looking tight but not impossible if a revised application moves quickly through the system.

More on Swansea City and the stadium district

Swansea City plan huge fan zone for more than 1,700 fans
The original proposals — self-pour beer taps, a big screen and a bierkeller vibe.

Landore Park and Ride set to move across the road to Alamein Road
How the wider stadium district is being reimagined — and what it means for transport.

Penderyn Distillery handed keys to Morfa Copperworks site
Another major development transforming the area around the stadium.

Swansea’s Skyline project moves a step closer
The cable car proposal that would take visitors up Kilvey Hill — visible from the fan zone’s mezzanine level.

#FanZone #PlanningPermission #Swansea #SwanseaCityFC #SwanseaComStadium

Swansea City plan huge fan zone for more than 1,700 fans — with self-pour beer taps, a big screen and a bierkeller vibe

The club has lodged a pre-application planning inquiry with Swansea Council for the development, which would sit behind the South Stand on land that currently serves as little more than a service road. The reference number is 2026/0561/PRE.

And the ambition is serious. Plans drawn up by AFL Architects show a covered structure roughly 40 metres long, with rows of food and drink kiosks, a raised viewing gallery with self-pour beer taps, a stage, a large screen and bierkeller-style bench seating. Capacity at ground floor level would be around 1,166 — rising to more than 1,766 with a full upper mezzanine added above the kiosks.

The club’s own brief for the project doesn’t pull its punches about why it’s needed. It notes that 72% of fans arrive more than an hour before kick-off but currently have a poor experience — with narrow concourses, slow serving times and toilets opposite the food stands. Many supporters simply head elsewhere to spend their money before games. The new fan zone is designed to change all of that, with the brief explicitly calling for frictionless self-service technology and an Instagram “wow moment” at the entrance. Indicative visuals show a sweeping club mural running the full length of the building’s exterior.

The club wants it open for the start of the 2026/27 season.

The site behind the South Stand at the Swansea.com Stadium outlined in red, showing the constraints the architects have had to work around — including the tree-lined public path, existing lampposts and the electricity substation (Image: Swansea City FC / AFL Architects)

There are some physical constraints on what can be built. A public footpath and mature trees to the west must be kept, an operational electricity substation limits the northern end, and a steep embankment restricts the east side. The architects say all of these have been worked into the design.

A second phase is also being talked about. The area beyond the fan zone could eventually house a football museum, community event space or premium food and drink venue — giving the stadium a reason for people to visit on non-matchday days too.

It all fits with the vision Snoop Dogg laid out when he became a minority investor in the club last summer. The rapper told Swansea Bay News he wanted to make Swansea “the Vegas of Wales” over the next decade — transforming the stadium into a destination, not just a matchday venue. A fan zone of this scale, with live entertainment, big screens and a self-service bar, is exactly what that would need.

An artist’s impression of what the fan zone could look like inside — with bierkeller bench seating, a large screen, club song lyrics on the wall and an elevated gallery with self-pour beer taps (Image: Swansea City FC / AFL Architects)

The financial case for it is also pretty clear. Swansea City’s most recent accounts show the club made a £21.6 million loss last season, with owners having to pump in £21 million just to keep things running. Turnover was £22.3 million against costs of £51.3 million. Getting fans to spend more money at the ground — which the brief specifically targets — would help close that gap and reduce the owners’ reliance on writing cheques to keep the lights on.

This is a pre-application inquiry, which is the first step in the planning process rather than a full application. Swansea City Football Club has been approached for comment.

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

‘I ain’t playing’: Snoop Dogg reveals ten-year plan to make Swansea the ‘Vegas of Wales’
The rap legend’s vision for the club — and how a major fan zone fits into the bigger picture.

£21.6m loss as owners pump in £21m to keep club afloat
The financial backdrop — and why growing matchday revenue matters so much to Swansea’s future.

#AFLArchitects #Bierkeller #FanZone #featured #football #planning #planningApplication #Swansea #SwanseaCityFC #SwanseaComStadium

SNOOP IN SA1: Rap legend issues ‘Jack Army’ rallying cry ahead of first Swansea City visit

The rap icon has confirmed he will make his first visit to the Swansea.com Stadium next Tuesday (February 24) for the midweek clash with Preston North End—and he’s calling on supporters to pack the stands.

In a video posted on social media, the legendary rapper delivered a personal rallying cry to Swansea City fans ahead of his highly anticipated appearance in SA1.

‘Your Dogg Will Be at the Game’

Snoop Dogg said:

“Uh-oh. Tuesday, February 24. Swansea in Wales. That’s right. I’ll be at the game and I need to see you at the game too. Let’s go Swansea. Represent one time. Your Dogg will be at the game. Spread the word.”

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DU78y3LgUpY/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

The visit marks a significant moment for the club, as Snoop became a minority investor in Swansea City alongside fellow celebrity stakeholder Luka Modrić. His good friend Martha Stewart has also invested, with the American businesswoman taking in the home clash with Wrexham back in December.

Swans Boss: ‘Everyone Is Really Excited’

Swans boss Vitor Matos has already admitted there is a fair amount of excitement around Snoop’s upcoming visit, but insists his main focus will be on securing three points.

Vitor Matos said:

“I think every time an owner of the club comes, it’s always good. He is of course high profile, everyone is really excited. We all are really excited to have him in here.

“But yeah, most important for me is to focus on the game and to focus the team on the game. Then yeah, I hope we can have a chat, and have a conversation as well with someone that is really keen on sports.

“So really happy to be having him here and that’s it until then, we still have a few games to play.”

Snoop-Mania Hits Swansea

The visit comes just days after local Swansea artist Ian Hendry successfully delivered a pop-art portrait of Snoop Dogg to the rap legend using the “Six Degrees of Separation” theory—a story that captured the imagination of fans across South Wales.

With Snoop now set to take his seat in the stands at the Swansea.com Stadium, the city is bracing for “Snoop-mania” as fans clamour for tickets to witness the historic occasion.

#PrestonNorthEnd #SnoopDogg #SnoopDoggSVisitToSwansea #Swansea #SwanseaCityFC #SwanseaComStadium

Snoop Dogg is coming to Swansea — co‑owner to attend Swans match this month

A first trip to see the Swans in person

The club says the rapper will be in Swansea for the Championship fixture against Preston North End on Tuesday, February 24, with kick‑off at 7.45pm. It will be his first time watching the team live since joining the Swans’ ownership group in July 2025.

Snoop has been following the club from the US and will travel to south Wales to see Vítor Matos’ side under the lights.

Pitchside appearance planned

Swansea City says he will appear pitchside before the match to lead supporters in a pre‑game fan display, with more details to be confirmed in the coming days.

During his visit, the club says he also plans to spend time in the local community, meeting supporters and getting a feel for the city and region.

‘I can’t wait to finally make my first visit’

Snoop Dogg, Swansea City co‑owner, said he had been looking forward to the trip since joining the club.

“I know it has been a long time coming, but I cannot wait to finally make my first visit to Swansea City and be among all the YJBs for our game against Preston,” he said.

“From the moment we talked about me becoming an owner, I have been looking forward to the chance to be with you all at the Swansea.com Stadium.

“I have heard so many great things about the atmosphere, especially when we play under the lights.

“When I watched the Wrexham game, where we showed we are the capital of Welsh football, the noise in the stadium sounded incredible even from over 5,000 miles away. I can’t wait to be a part of it.”

Tickets for the Preston match are available via the club’s website.

#celebrity #SnoopDogg #Swansea #SwanseaCityFC #SwanseaComStadium