Birmingham City unveils plan for new stadium that Tom Brady says will be 'a blast'

BIRMINGHAM, England (AP) — Birmingham City unveiled plans Thursday to build a 62,000-seat stadium that the second-tier club envisions as its home for not only Premier League matches but also a destination for the biggest music stars and the NFL.

The English soccer team, which counts NFL great Tom Brady as a minority shareholder and U.S. financier Tom Wagner as chairman, said the venue would be the “beating heart” of Birmingham as the centerpiece of a project costing at least 2.5 billion pounds ($3.2 billion).

The proposed Birmingham City Powerhouse Stadium, featuring 12 chimney towers, would be built in Bordesley Park, East Birmingham, in time for the 2030-31 season.

“Together we are putting the city and the club on trajectory towards greatness,” Wagner said at the unveiling at Digbeth Loc Studios in Birmingham.

The stadium’s price tag would be 1.2 billion ($1.5 billion), Wagner said. Other costs are related to the wider project that aims to transform the area into a “vibrant sporting and cultural destination.”

“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," Wagner said.

A promotional video to unveil the plans included Brady and former Birmingham City player Jude Bellingham.

“Wow” was Real Madrid star Bellingham's response when shown images of the stadium.

Brady said fans are “in for a blast” and that the stadium would attract the “biggest music stars.”

There are also plans to stage top boxing matches and NFL games.

“Our ambition is to host any and all events at the stadium. We would love to compete for the right to host NFL events when that next opens up,” Wagner said.

Birmingham currently plays in English soccer's second division, but the stadium plans point to the owners' ambitions.

It was last in the Premier League in 2011, the same year it won the English League Cup — one of two major trophies the club has captured in its 150-year history.

Birmingham currently plays at St Andrew’s Stadium — its home since 1906 — which has a capacity of just under 30,000.

The proposed stadium was designed by Heatherwick Studio in collaboration with Manica Architecture.

Its proposed 62,000 capacity would make it the fourth-biggest club stadium in England, behind only Manchester United, West Ham and Tottenham. It will feature a retractable roof and moveable pitch.

“It’s the place where the world’s best will want to perform and experience-seekers from across the globe shall have at the top of their must-visit lists,” Wagner said. “A place where the local community will be proud to say it’s part of their home.”

Birmingham is owned through Knighthead Capital Management, which was co-founded Wagner.

James Robson is at https://x.com/jamesalanrobson

AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

Pepole look at a Diorama of Birmingham City Football Club's new stadium plans during the unveiling in Birmingham, England, Thursday, Nov. 20, 2025. (Jacob King/PA via AP)

Pepole take pictures of a Diorama of Birmingham City Football Club's new stadium plans during the unveiling in Birmingham, England, Thursday, Nov. 20, 2025. (Jacob King/PA via AP)

Birmingham City co-owner and chairman Tom Wagner during the unveiling of Birmingham City Football Club's new stadium plans in Birmingham, England, Thursday, Nov. 20, 2025. (Jacob King/PA via AP)

TORONTO (AP) — Tyrese Maxey scored 33 points, Joel Embiid had 27 and the Philadelphia 76ers used an 80-point first half to beat the Toronto Raptors 115-102 on Monday night.

VJ Edgecombe and Paul George each scored 15 points as the 76ers bounced back from Sunday’s overtime loss to Toronto to win for the sixth time in eight games.

Embiid (left knee and left groin) and George (left knee) were back in the lineup after sitting out Sunday.

Fans chanted “We want Lowry!” in the fourth quarter, then rose for a standing ovation when former Raptors player Kyle Lowry checked in for Maxey with 1:57 left to play.

Lowry starred for the Toronto team that won the 2019 NBA championship. He airballed a 3-pointer on his first attempt and missed all three shots he took.

Immanuel Quickley scored 18 points and Brandon Ingram had 17 points and 10 rebounds. Scottie Barnes scored 15 points for Toronto.

Barnes, who hit the game-winning free throw Sunday, was named Eastern Conference Player of the Week earlier Monday.

Philadelphia’s 80 first-half points were the most by a Raptors opponent this season. The 76ers made 27 of 37 field goals in the opening half, including 13 of 20 from long range, and shot 13 for 13 at the free throw line.

Maxey scored 18 points in the first to help Philadelphia build a 45-28 lead after one. He connected on six of seven attempts, including three of four from distance.

After shooting 8 for 31 from long range Sunday, the 76ers combined to make 7 of 8 3-pointers in the first. They followed that by making four straight to begin the second.

Ingram returned after missing two games because of a sore right thumb. RJ Barrett (left thumb) sat for the second straight game.

Philadelphia’s biggest lead was 33 points, 87-54, after an Edgecombe 3 with 8:24 remaining in the third.

76ers: Host Cleveland on Wednesday.

Raptors: At Indiana on Wednesday.

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba

Toronto Raptors guard Immanuel Quickley (5) moves the ball under pressure from Philadelphia 76ers guard Vj Edgecombe during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Toronto, Monday, Jan. 12, 2026. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)

Toronto Raptors guard Immanuel Quickley (5) makes a pass under pressure from Philadelphia 76ers forward Adem Bona (30) and teammate Paul George (8) during first half NBA basketball action in Toronto, Monday, Jan. 12, 2026. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)

Toronto Raptors forward/center Sandro Mamukelashvili (54) dunks over Philadelphia 76ers forward Dominick Barlow (25) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Toronto, Monday, Jan. 12, 2026. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)

Philadelphia 76ers forward Paul George (8) fouls Toronto Raptors forward Brandon Ingram, left, during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Toronto, Monday, Jan. 12, 2026. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)

Toronto Raptors forward Brandon Ingram (3) and Philadelphia 76ers centre/forward Joel Embiid (21) vie for a loose ball during first half NBA basketball action in Toronto, Monday, Jan. 12, 2026. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)