Northampton Saints are delighted to confirm that planning permission has been granted for the redevelopment of the Club’s Supporter Village at cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens.
The project forms the next phase of the Club’s long-term masterplan, and will see a comprehensive transformation of the existing village space to better serve supporters on matchdays and enhance its use year-round.
Work on the redevelopment is set to begin this summer, with completion planned ahead of the 2026/27 season.
While the Club is fortunate to already have a versatile Supporter Village area at the stadium, its popularity on matchdays – particularly with an increasing number of sell-out fixtures – also presents some challenges. The approved plans will introduce a more cohesive, accessible and better-organised space designed to improve circulation, reduce congestion and enhance the overall supporter experience.
The new Supporter Village will be increased in size by the relocation of the Grounds Compound and Northampton Saints Foundation building, and will feature clearly defined zones; including an enhanced food and beverage area, a permanent covered event space for entertainment, a lakeside seating area, a big screen, and a dedicated family and community zone. The proposals also include improved infrastructure, upgraded turnstiles and entrances, and a broader range of facilities to support both matchday and non-matchday use.
Click the Gallery above to view a selection of artist’s impressions of the new Supporter Village
A key element of the redevelopment is the introduction of a permanent event space to replace the existing temporary canopy structure, providing a more reliable and flexible environment for matchday entertainment. The scheme will also modernise food and beverage outlets, creating a more consistent and welcoming look and feel across the Village, as well as introducing some enticing new food options.
Away from matchdays, the redevelopment is expected to strengthen the Club’s position as a year-round destination, creating greater opportunities for events, community activity and corporate use outside of matchdays.
The plans also include the option to create a new Memorial Garden within the stadium grounds, offering a quiet, thoughtfully-designed space for reflection.
“We’re delighted to have secured planning approval for the redevelopment of our Supporter Village,” said Julia Chapman, Chief Executive at Northampton Saints.
“The Village plays a huge role in the matchday experience, but it has evolved over time in a way that no longer reflects the volume of supporters that we now welcome to sold-out fixtures. These plans will allow us to create a more open, accessible and better-connected space that works more effectively for our supporters.
“Just as importantly, the redevelopment will enable us to make better use of the stadium throughout the year – supporting more community activity, events and commercial opportunities, which in turn strengthen the long-term sustainability of the Club.
“We are extremely grateful for the support of our catering provider, Levy, who are co-investing in the project with the Club. Levy will work with Saints on an ongoing basis to ensure we get the very best from our transformed space.
“We’re also grateful to West Northamptonshire Council for their constructive approach and support throughout the planning process.
“Moreover, I must thank and congratulate our operations team for the hard work they’ve already put into shaping these plans – there’s a lot of effort behind the scenes to get us to this point. We know there’s a busy summer ahead of us, and we’re looking forward to getting work underway.”
The Club has appointed Foxton Construction as lead contractor for the redevelopment. Foxton are long-time supporters of Northampton Saints and current boxholders at cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens.
They will lead delivery of the project alongside Northampton-based architects pHp, and project management and cost consultancy surveyors CS2, with the Club’s IT services partner Advania also playing a key role in the development.
Further updates on the redevelopment and timelines will be shared with supporters in due course.
Please note; all images and visuals shared in relation to the project are artist’s impressions and are subject to change as the development progresses.