Changes are coming to Elland Road. Leeds United announced on Monday that they’ll increase stadium capacity as part of their upgrade plans.
Elland Road has been the home of Leeds United since 1919 and was purchased by Greenfield Investment Pte Ltd in 2004. At that time, Greenfield was under 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.
What are the new stadium plans?
Leeds outlined their plans for Elland Road now that the stadium is under their control. Here’s what the club announced on Monday as part of their plans:
- They aim to modernize the stadium and increase its capacity from 37,645 to around 53,000 seats.
- There will be a significant boost in general admission seating, positioning Elland Road as the seventh-largest club stadium in the country.
- A key focus of the architectural design will be to maintain and enhance the unique atmosphere that fans cherish.
- Construction will be carried out in phases to minimize the loss of seating capacity during the project.
- The goal is to upgrade Elland Road to UEFA Category 4 status, placing it among the elite European stadiums.
- An expert team has been assembled, blending global stadium experience with local expertise, to create artist’s impressions and prepare the planning submission.
Paraag Marathe, Chairman of Leeds United Football Club and President of 49ers Enterprises, expressed excitement about the Whites’ future and the stadium that will be among 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.”
