Leeds United have announced plans to increase Elland Road’s capacity to 53,000, making it the seventh-largest club stadium in the country.
Elland Road has been Leeds’ home ground for the past 105 years and the club’s billionaire American owners, 49ers Enterprises Global Football Group LLC, are keen to modernise the stadium.
The Championship club have revealed their ambitious plans as demand for tickets has long since outstripped the stadium’s 37,645 seats. There are currently 26,000 fans on the waiting list for season tickets and every home game has sold out for the past six seasons.
Leeds regained full ownership of Elland Road earlier this year for the first time since 2004 and now plan to turn it into one of Europe’s finest. The expansion will meet UEFA’s Category 4 standards for “elite” stadiums.
Paraag Marathe, chairman of Leeds United and president of 49ers Enterprises, the club’s American owners, said: ‘We recognise how important Elland Road is to Leeds United fans and the wider community.
Leeds United have announced major restructuring plans at the club’s iconic Elland Road stadium.
The club will focus on increasing the current seating capacity of 37,645 to 53,000 at Elland Road.
Leeds currently sit sixth in the Championship after a mixed start to the new season.
‘The opportunity to renovate a century-old stadium, alongside Leeds United’s legacy, is unprecedented. Our plans reinforce our commitment to the long-term success of the club and I am thrilled that we can welcome thousands more fans to every game, in a stadium that retains the unique atmosphere of Elland Road.
“We look forward to sharing our plans with our supporters and the local community to receive their input.”