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Edited: Sep 23

Elland Road

So the "worst kept secret" plans are finally being released and breaking on SKY.

We are now looking to increase the capacity of Elland Road to 53,000 with development of the North and West stands.

This will include an increase in the premium corporate offerings.

This is well overdue and should get absolute support for everyone around the club - without having sustainable revenue we'll always have one hand tied behind our back when it comes to PSR. Once this is done the club's natural revenues will allow us to be in the EPL top 10 without raising funds by selling players.

11 comments

11 Comments

TC10

Sep 24

Do we have safe standing at Elland Road already? How is it going if we do have it? Make a change from the unsafe standing in seats and many a bruise and cuts from celebrating 2 rows in front....

Stevethemouse

Sep 24

Replying to

Have put some it in top of kop last season and doing some this

TC10

Sep 23

Great news but just want to put a couple of negative questions to this!?

This will be an increase in the crowd of 15,000 per game. We have 26,000 on the waiting list for season tickets. I predict 10,000 will be given to season ticket holders and 5,000 will be for the 'normal' fan who can't get to every game.... that's still a shortfall of 16,000 still on the waiting list.

Will there be scope for increasing the capacity again to 70 odd thousand to keep us in line with the TOP clubs or we'll be left behind again in the 2nd tier of clubs....

Ticket prices, membership prices, merchandise and food and drink will no doubt take a hike for the normal fan to take the hit rather than the 69ers....

Just hope it doesn't take as long to complete this as my hometown club Luton and their new ground....

This isn't in any way having a go at the owners etc as this has to be done and will make a big difference to us as a club 👍👏⚽

guy.permentier

Sep 24

Replying to

Soopa, indeed the South stand would then look out of place a bit, but perhaps they could remove the boxes and provide more seating or even standing like in the Kop.

Don't know if they would be able to extend both the Cheese Wedge/corner and the opposite corner (where the score board is) somewhat ?

If I recall correctly, I think there should be enough roomspace to do that?

Or is club shop in the way?

Soopaleeds

Sep 24

Replying to

Good question - looking at the ariel shots I think that both corners associated with the South Stand are unable to be expanded for the same reason - the road means the foundations can't shift Southwards.

Stevethemouse

Sep 24

Replying to

Maybe a cantilever style over the footpath ? In south end ? Above Billy’s Bar?

Enoch's extra leg

Sep 23

Great news.

Did they give any timeline to when the work will start and how long it will take?

Soopaleeds

Sep 23

Replying to

sadly not yet

There is an expectation we need to get back to the Premier League, but we don't have to stay there for 3 years this time. I understand the club have committed £10M this year to the planning stage to get this ready for lift off.

Leeds City Council are fully supportive

Smurf

Sep 23

Its great to see. The most important announcement of the year.

Soopaleeds

Sep 23

Leeds United Football Club announces next steps in plan to enhance Elland Road Stadium

23 Sep 24

Plan outlined.

Key ambitions:

- Modernise and improve stadium capacity from 37,645 to c.53,000 seats

- Significant increase to general admission seating, which at present would make Elland Road the seventh largest club stadium in the country

- A core architectural design objective is to maintain and enhance the unique atmosphere

- Phased approach to construction to minimise loss of seating capacity during the project

- Bring Elland Road in line with UEFA Category 4 status, to be amongst the elite in European stadia

- Expert team, combining global stadium experience with local specialist knowledge, assembled to deliver artist’s impressions and planning submission

Leeds United Football Club today announces next steps in the plan to re-imagine and enhance Elland Road Stadium, home of the Whites since 1919. Earlier this year, the ownership of the stadium was transferred back to Leeds United, giving the club full control of the ground for the first time since 2004, with plans now in the works for its long-term future. The existing stadium has a capacity of 37,645 seats, with regeneration set to increase that to circa 53,000, with greatly improved general admission and hospitality facilities. Leeds United is a one-club city, a rarity in European football and demand for tickets consistently outpaces the currently available supply. Elland Road in its current form has sold out for every match over the last six years and there are 26,000 supporters on the waiting list for season tickets. The revitalisation will focus on increasing capacity to the North and West Stands and will be delivered in phases to maintain as much seating as possible during construction. The club, along with owners 49ers Enterprises, have brought in specialist acoustic consultants to ensure Elland Road’s unique atmosphere is retained. A local transport consultant has been commissioned to help plan access routes and manage traffic flows during construction. Critically, the club and the professional team will also be looking closely at matchday travel plans to ensure an improvement in the experience for both residents and supporters arriving at the ground.

Paraag Marathe, Chairman of Leeds United Football Club 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.”

Councillor James Lewis, Leader of Leeds City Council, said: “As council leader and a lifelong Leeds United fan I very much welcome this news for what it could mean for the club, its supporters, the local community and the city. Leeds United inspires real passion in fans and Elland Road itself allows them to demonstrate that fervent support to great effect. Expanding and enhancing the existing ground will allow many more fans access to games while protecting the unique Elland Road atmosphere. This investment can also be a catalyst for wider regeneration plans of South Leeds, which represents an opportunity of national significance. Getting there will be easier with work to improve Leeds Station and the introduction of a White Rose rail station, along with the potential of a proposed mass transit route from the city centre close to the ground. We’ve had some very positive initial meetings with their team and look forward to working with them on this important vision, to ensure this project moves forward and unlocks significant benefits to the city and its communities.”

Leeds United’s owners, 49ers Enterprises, have a wealth of experience having built the famous Levi’s Stadium, one of the premier sports and entertainment venues in the world, whilst members of the club’s board are renowned for overseeing successful major real estate projects across the globe. The revitalisation of Elland Road Stadium will see 49ers Enterprises bring their expertise from the US, in overseeing a UK-based project team which includes stadium-specialist architects KSS, structural engineers Buro Happold and management team at RISE, whose leadership team managed the delivery of some of the most successful mixed-use projects in the UK.