Leeds United have announced plans to expand their Elland Road stadium to hold 53,000 fans.
The changes will make it the seventh-largest club stadium in the country while keeping Leeds at the ground they have called home since 1919.
Elland Road currently has a capacity of 37,645 seats but Leeds have outgrown the stadium. Every home match for the last six years has been sold out and the club have 26,000 fans on the season ticket waiting list.
Leeds regained ownership of the stadium earlier this year, placing Elland Road back into its control for the first time in 20 years. It had been in the ownership of individuals or private entities associated with the club since 2004.
United’s owners, 49ers Enterprises, oversaw the construction of the $1.3billion, 68,500 capacity Levi’s Stadium which is the home of the San Francisco 49ers NFL franchise.
Leeds plan for a phased approach to construction to minimise the loss of seats during the build. They are also working with acoustic consultants to ensure Elland Road maintains its atmosphere as more general admission seating is added to the ground.
Paraag Marathe, the Leeds chairman and president of 49ers Enterprises, said: “We recognise how important Elland Road is to the Leeds United fans and the wider community. The opportunity to refresh a century-old stadium, coupled with the legacy of Leeds United, is unprecedented.
“Our plans reinforce our commitment to the long-term success of the club and I am excited that we are going to be able to welcome thousands more supporters to every game, in a stadium that retains the unique atmosphere of Elland Road. We look forward to sharing our plans with supporters and the local community for their input.”
Elland Road’s current capacity makes it the 20th biggest sports stadium in the United Kingdom, with its current plans for expansion moving it up to 12th in the standings — above Newcastle United’s St James’ Park (52,305) and putting it on a par with Manchester City’s Etihad Stadium (53,400).
Wembley Stadium’s 90,000 capacity remains the biggest sports stadium in the UK, while three primarily rugby union stadiums — the Allianz Arena (Twickenham), the Principality Stadium and Murrayfield — are in the top five, with Manchester United’s Old Trafford (74,310) in third place and the largest football club stadium.
The Tottenham Hotspur Stadium (62,850), West Ham United’s London Stadium (62,500), Liverpool’s recently expanded Anfield (61,500) and Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium (60,704) complete the top five English club stadiums, with Elland Road’s plans seeing it become the largest English stadium hosting a club outside the Premier League.
(Matt Watson/Southampton FC via Getty Images)
