New Tranmere owners could revive new stadium plan

The plans for a new stadium could resurface in the upcoming season as new ownership is all but confirmed to be at Tranmere Rovers in the summer.

An American consortium including investors such as A$AP Rocky have long been heavily rumoured to take over Tranmere and it was further fuelled by the club confirming their survival in League two last Saturday.

Mark Palios’ plans for a new stadium

New stadium plans were first suggested in 2024 by owner Mark Palios as he referenced that he was in discussion with big names to help fund the proposed stadium.

The stadium was planned to be located on the site of Bidston Park and hold 15,000 seats with the capacity to reach 25,000 with expansion.

A new stadium would also bring an improvement in facilities and incorporate technology providing a modern touch compared to Prenton Park.

Prenton Park has been the home of Tranmere since 1912, currently having a capacity of 16,500.

Palios spoke to the Wirral Insider last year about the plans to match Wirral’s future ambitions comparing it to the transformation of Salford into the Media City.

He said: “Salford is a proper regeneration and that’s about to happen to the Wirral.

“You can always have ambition but there’s a real belief that Wirral is about to see some really good days. That fits in with where I am, and the club is.”

From the news of the potential American takeover, there is added belief that the club can fulfil them ambitions and bring excitement back to the club.

Table of average home match day attendance at Prenton Park in the last four years

Despite a poor season this season the average home attendance at Prenton Park has increased to 7,172 from 6,302 the previous season which could be explained from the news surrounding new owners.

Tranmere reporter Luke Feather shared his thoughts on the speculation surrounding new ownership at the club.

He said: “I think Palios has got numerous suitors lined up, so I think there will be a sale but whether it’s to the leading candidate, if you like, maybe does depend on football league status.

“But as I say, it’s pure speculation at this stage. I don’t think anyone can truly say, unless we’re involved”.

There was a pitch invasion after their EFL status was confirmed for next season on Saturday and new owners will be looking to build on that momentum.

The first plan of action for the new owners could be to revisit new stadium plans which were brought to the Wirral Council last year, which could see the businesses and the town thrive.

Luke Feathers stated:

“It seems a 50/50, whether some fans are fully against it, because of the sentimental value of Prenton park, and how it’s a very old ground, in in the cases of other teams.”

This could spark mixed responses from fans due the sentimental value of Prenton Park and questions could arise asking what happens next to Prenton Park after as the stadium is so involved within the roots and the club and the town.

 If Tranmere were to move stadium it would certainly be an emotional last day at Prenton Park with fans being emotionally attached to the stadium after it has been engrained within the club for over a century.

History of Prenton Park

The stadium has faced many triumphs and hardships through its history especially coming out of WW2 where many stadiums across the country suffered from the damage left after the war.

Prenton Park first saw major redevelopment in the 1990s converting to an all-seater stadium as the Main Stand, the Johnny King Stand, and what is now the famous Kop Stand first being developed.

The Johnny King Stand was named after the manager saved them from the brink of relegation to the Premier League in the early 1990s.

Prenton Park is currently the biggest stadium in League Two and one of the biggest stadiums in the EFL as well.

Comparison of Prenton Park

Tranmere are currently one of the only teams in Merseyside not to have had recent redevelopment or confirmed to be moving to a new stadium.

Everton, AFC Marine and Prescot Cables have are all confirmed and expected to move stadium in the coming years, with Everton expected to move to the new Bramley Moore Dock next season and Marine and Prescot Cables bringing out new stadium plans.

Confirmed plans for a new stadium would certainly ignite the council’s plan in making the Wirral a major Sports City and show to the fans and the rest of the country that the new owners have big ambitions for the future of Tranmere Rovers.

(Featured image by IJA under creative commons licence)