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Team Analysis16 September 2026

Why are Brighton called the Seagulls?

Brighton's 'Seagulls' nickname soared from the club's coastal home — and a rivalry with a fellow bird-branded club.

From the Coast to the Crest

Brighton & Hove Albion are called the Seagulls, a nickname rooted firmly in their seaside location. At Metaverse Football Club, we find it one of the most geographically apt names in football — Brighton sits on England's south coast, where gulls are a constant presence.

The club, founded in 1901, originally used a dolphin emblem. The Seagulls identity took hold in the 1970s, partly in response to rivals Crystal Palace adopting the Eagles — Brighton fans wanted a bird of their own to match.

A Rivalry Takes Flight

The Seagulls vs Eagles dynamic fuelled one of English football's quirkiest rivalries. The nickname now appears on Brighton's crest and throughout their stadium. At Metaverse Football Club, we love how a coastal setting and a bit of terrace one-upmanship combined to create an enduring symbol.

Brighton's flight from near-extinction to Premier League stability is a story Metaverse Football Club is proud to chart.

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