A major stadium upgrade is planned for Bangor City Stadium, as preparations ramp up for the 2026 UEFA U19 Men’s European Championship, marking the first time the prestigious tournament will be hosted in Wales.
The stadium, which recently welcomed a sell-out crowd of approximately 3,000 for the Wales U19 vs England U19 international in March 2025, has been selected as one of several venues across North Wales to stage matches during the tournament. As part of the improvement works, significant infrastructure upgrades are planned to bring the facility in line with UEFA standards.
Floodlight Upgrade for Broadcast-Ready Illumination
The most substantial upgrade involves a comprehensive enhancement of the stadium’s floodlighting system. The existing eight 15-metre lighting columns, four on each side of the pitch, will receive new, energy-efficient LED fittings, restoring illumination to the original 500lux design level. Additionally, four new 18-metre lighting columns will be installed at the pitch corners, providing the ability to increase light levels up to 800lux when required for televised matches.
The upgraded lighting will be fully directional to minimise light spill and maximise pitch focus. The new corner lights will operate on a separate circuit, giving flexibility to use either the base 500lux setting or the enhanced 800lux mode.
TV Gantry Realignment for Compliance
To meet updated broadcasting standards, the existing TV gantry, currently located approximately 2.5 metres off-centre, will be dismantled and rebuilt in direct alignment with the halfway line. While the structure will retain its current appearance, the repositioning will provide improved filming angles and regulatory compliance.
Dugout Relocation and Expansion
Another critical upgrade involves the dugouts. The current polycarbonate dugouts, located on the main stand/clubhouse side of the pitch, provide single-row seating for just nine team and coaching staff members per side. This falls short of current competition requirements.
To comply with modern regulations, new, larger dugouts will be constructed on the Menai side of the pitch, where sufficient space allows for at least 14 seats per team and the required 4-metre setback from the playing surface. The new dugouts will be located either side of the repositioned TV gantry, providing symmetry and improved functionality for matchday operations. The area formerly occupied by the existing dugouts will be restored and made good.
These works reflect the stadium’s increasing role in Welsh football development and its capacity to host top-level youth competition. Organisers and local stakeholders have welcomed the investment, noting it will leave a lasting legacy for both community and national use.
Photos: © Cyngor Gwynedd planning documents
