Stand or Fall brings the club’s extraordinary 125-year story to life through an immersive permanent gallery in the heart of Brighton
Brighton & Hove Albion FC’s (BHAFC), extraordinary 125-year journey, from its early beginnings and fight for survival to Premier League and UEFA Conference League success, is celebrated in a new permanent gallery opening at Brighton Museum & Art Gallery on Saturday 15 August.
Brighton & Hove Albion: Stand or Fall is the new, official gallery of BHAFC and forms part of the club’s 125th anniversary celebrations. The interactive exhibition brings together iconic objects, treasured memorabilia, archive material, film and personal stories to tell the story of one of English football’s most resilient clubs.
At the heart of the gallery sits an intricate, stadium model that serves as the central visual storytelling hub. Designed to bridge the gap between fan activism in the stands and action on the pitch, the model captures key moments and crafted memories across BHAFC’s historic grounds.
Above the structure, integrated audiovisual footage, iconic commentary, and stadium chants combine to create an immersive, multisensory experience.
Visitors will explore the triumphs, setbacks and defining moments that have shaped BHAFC and its place at the heart of the city for more than a century.
Rare artefacts chart the club’s rise from near extinction to top-flight football, including an original 1908 shirt, 1910 Charity Shield ephemera, and Goldstone Ground relics like an authentic turnstile and Fred Yates’ painting Saturday Afternoon.
The narrative spotlights the supporter activism that saved the club, from the ‘YES YES’ Falmer campaign to Fans United Day. Personal accounts bring the story to life, including Liz Costa watching matches from a neighbouring garden after a board ban, and Stuart Storer on his iconic final goal at the Goldstone.
Visitors enter the gallery through a reconstructed players’ tunnel, stepping straight into an immersive matchday environment complete with authentic stadium seats from all three eras.
At the heart of the experience is the extraordinary story of the supporters whose passion and determination helped save BHAFC when the club came perilously close to disappearing in the 1990s.
From protests, marches and pitch invasions to political campaigning, supporters united to protect their club, securing a Top 20 chart hit, sending Valentine’s bouquets to the Deputy Prime Minister and even organising a city-wide referendum. Together, these remarkable acts of collective action helped write one of football’s greatest comeback stories.
Hedley Swain, CEO of Brighton & Hove Museums, said:
“We are honoured to give this gallery its permanent home, having worked closely with the club, key partners, and supporters to bring it to life. Football clubs are about so much more than sport – they’re part of the cultural fabric of a place, shaping identities, communities, and generations of shared memories.“Stand or Fall tells a story of resilience, belonging and collective action that reaches far beyond football. Whether you’re a lifelong Albion supporter or simply interested in Brighton’s social and cultural history, this exhibition offers a fascinating insight into one of the city’s defining stories.”
Tony Bloom, Brighton & Hove Albion Chairman, said:
“Brighton & Hove Albion has always been such an important part of the identity of our city and a source of pride that connects generations of supporters and families. Our history has included extraordinary highs and some challenging moments throughout every chapter. We celebrate the players and the teams who have given us so much, backed by the unwavering loyalty and passion of our fans, who define who we are“.“Stand or Fall is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate that journey and honour the people who have made the club what it is today by standing together when it mattered most. We are thrilled to share these stories with our fans and our city. We are very proud of this new exhibition and hope it gives visitors a deeper understanding of the Albion’s unique place in the heart of Brighton & Hove.”
Councillor John Hewitt, Brighton & Hove City Council, said:
“Brighton & Hove Albion is woven into the identity of our city. This exhibition recognises the club’s sporting achievements while celebrating the determination, community spirit and civic pride that helped write one of football’s greatest comeback stories. It’s a wonderful addition to Brighton Museum & Art Gallery and a fantastic opportunity for residents and visitors alike to discover an important part of our city’s heritage.”
Family launch weekend
To celebrate the opening of the gallery, Brighton Museum & Art Gallery will host a Kick Off! launch weekend on Saturday 15 and Sunday 16 August, 11am-4pm both days.
On Saturday, visitors can be among the first to discover the exhibition and can take part in the special moments created inside the Museum to celebrate its launch.
Activities include a performance by the Brighton School of Samba (11am-12pm), badgemaking, a football kit dress-up and selfie area, a pundit’s corner station, and a giant scale fanzine that visitors can contribute to. Plus, there’ll be the opportunity to meet club mascot Sally Seagull.
On Sunday, the celebrations extend into the Royal Pavilion Garden with entertainment, pop-up experiences and hands-on activities, including free football coaching for children with the Albion Foundation (2-4pm), performances by a football freestyler (12-2pm), live music from DJ Ellie Talebian and face painting. There’ll also be an opportunity to meet club legends and rising stars, and Gully and Sally Seagull mascots will be in attendance all day.
Planning your visit
Brighton & Hove Albion: Stand or Fall opens at Brighton Museum & Art Gallery on Saturday 15 August 2026.
Admission is £10.50 for adults, £5 for children aged 5–18, and free for children under five and carers. Rail visitors can also take advantage of a 2-for-1 admission offer.
Brighton Museum & Art Gallery is open Tuesday to Sunday, 10am–5pm, as well as Bank Holiday Mondays.
To plan your visit and to book tickets, visit https://brightonmuseums.org.uk
feature image: Celebrating the opening of Brighton & Hove Albion: Stand or Fall, Brighton & Hove Museums
image in text: Brighton & Hove Albion fans on their way to the FA Cup Final, Wembley 1983
