Last month, Leeds United announced upcoming changes to Elland Road, including plans to expand the stadium’s capacity as part of a more extensive upgrade.
Elland Road has been the club’s home since 1919 and was bought by Greenfield Investment Pte Ltd in 2004, a company that was linked to Leeds’s parent organization at the time.
On March 27, 2024, ownership of Elland Road Limited was transferred to Leeds United Football Club Limited. This move means that the club now fully controls Elland Road Stadium again for the first time since 2004.
Paraag Marathe, Chairman of Leeds United and President of 49ers Enterprises, expressed his excitement for the future of the club and noted that their stadium is on track to become one of the best in England.
“We recognise how important Elland Road is to the Leeds United fans and the wider community,” Marathe said in the announcement. “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.”
Leeds receive support regarding capacity upgrade plans
Former Leeds standout Daniel Norris supports the current owners’ plans to expand Elland Road to a 53,000 capacity. He highlights the club’s passionate fanbase as a critical factor behind the decision and dismisses concerns about filling the stadium.
“I played during a time when the ownership was controversial with the fans to the point a lot didn’t come to games, but I think now there would be no trouble filling it and it marks where the club want to get to,” the former midfielder told MOT Leeds News.
“The fanbase is incredible. I’ve always said with Leeds, they’re the one club I’ve played for whose fanbase is a majority ‘hardcore’, whereas that bracket would usually be the minority at most clubs. You see Leeds fans all over the world, and I think this news with the stadium is welcome for them as they look to progress.”
Leeds’ new majority owners, 49ers Enterprise, are well-equipped for stadium projects, having successfully opened Levi’s Stadium for their NFL team, the San Francisco 49ers. It will be interesting to see how these plans for Elland Road grow, but it’s exciting times for supporters.
