Stoke City Football Club’s new training facility is taking shape at Clayton Wood, with construction progressing rapidly on site. Designed by AFL Architects and being delivered by contractor Speller Metcalfe, the project represents the Club’s most significant capital investment since the bet365 Stadium opened in 1997.
The multi-million-pound development is set to transform the Club’s first team environment, bringing together world-class spaces for training, recovery, sports science, and operational support. The facility is due for completion in December 2025.
Construction is now well underway, with a series of major milestones recently completed:
All three swimming pool shells have been cast
First fix mechanical and electrical installations are in progress
Curtain walling installation has commenced
The support structure for zinc cladding is now under construction
Scheduled for completion in December 2025, the facility is on track to become one of the most advanced training environments in the Championship.
Working in close collaboration with the Club, AFL’s design focuses on integrating every aspect of elite performance into a modern, functional space. The facility includes:
A 25m pool with built-in treadmill, a hot recovery pool, and a cold plunge
Cryotherapy suite capable of reaching -100°C
Gymnasium with mezzanine and zoned training areas
Theatre-style team briefing room with large screen
Full-service refectory and kitchen
Club offices and staff support spaces
A viewing balcony overlooking the training pitches
This integrated approach brings together training, rehabilitation, strategy, and wellbeing in a single high-performance hub.
AFL Architects has worked with Stoke City across multiple projects over the past decade, including previous training ground improvements and stadium developments. This latest scheme builds on that relationship, combining experience, insight, and a shared vision for the Club’s future.
As construction progresses, the design is taking physical shape,laying the foundations for a new era in player preparation and Club infrastructure.
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