Last week, Leeds United announced that changes are coming to Elland Road. The Whites revealed they’ll increase stadium capacity as part of their upgrade plans.
Elland Road has been Leeds’s home since 1919 and was purchased by Greenfield Investment Pte Ltd in 2004. At that time, Greenfield was part of the same parent company as The Whites.
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.
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.
Paraag Marathe, the Chairman of Leeds United Football Club and President of 49ers Enterprises, shared his enthusiasm for the future of the Whites and highlighted that their stadium is set to be 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.”
Will Elland Road become a hub for the city?
Finance expert Stefan Borson spoke with Football Insider and noted that a revamped Elland Road will offer the Yorkshire giants a new stream of potential revenue. He also points out that the plans provide Leeds a significant chance to make the stadium the focal point of the city.
“I think it’s not a surprise that it happened on the back of the new ownership and the Red Bull investment,” Borson told the outlet. “First of all, they have to do something with the stadium. The stadium is now getting old and needs investment, so that’s inevitable.
“Secondly, it’s a one-club city and so to have that as the centrepiece is clearly important and a big opportunity for them. That applies even if they are not in the Premier League. If they can attract very big crowds even if they are not in the Premier League, that’s going to make a material difference to the funding of the club.
“It can also be a major events hub for the city and Leeds is a major city. It doesn’t have the level of competition that somewhere like Manchester has for venues, so that will give them another source of potential revenue.”
