Stadium

History of the Stadium:

Leeds United‘s stadium, Elland Road has a long and storied club history that has seen it grow and evolve into one of the most iconic grounds in the country.

Elland Road dates back to 1897 when the land on which the stadium now stands was purchased by Leeds City Council. The site was initially used as a municipal rubbish tip, but in 1904, the council agreed to lease the land to Leeds Rugby League Club, who needed a new ground to play their matches.

The rugby club made a number of improvements to the site, including the construction of a stand and dressing rooms. The first rugby match was played at Elland Road on 3 September 1898. However, the rugby club ran into financial difficulties and thus were forced to sell the ground to the newly-formed Leeds United Football Club in 1919… for a measly £250!

Under the ownership of United, Elland Road was transformed into a football stadium. The first major development came in 1920 when the South Stand was built. Further redevelopment of the West Stand in 1957 and the East Stand in 1963 followed.

During the 1960s and 1970s, Elland Road was the site of some of the most memorable matches in English football history. United won their first major trophy, the League Cup, in 1968, and reached the European Cup final in 1975, where they were defeated by Bayern Munich.

Safety first

The 1980s saw Elland Road fall into disrepair. Tragedies including the Bradford City Stadium fire in 1985 and the Hillsborough disaster in 1989, led to increased safety regulations. As a result, Elland Road underwent a major renovation in the early 1990s, which saw the construction of a new West Stand and the conversion of an all-seater stadium.

In 1992, Leeds United became one of the founding 20 members of the new Premier League, which was to replace the first division of the English Football League, and thus made Elland Road one of the most famous grounds in England. The 1990s and early 2000s saw the club achieve some of their greatest successes, including reaching the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League in 2001.

Financial mismanagement and a series of ownership changes led to Leeds falling on hard times, which meant that the club were subsequently relegated to the Championship in 2004. The stadium was once again renovated in the mid-2000s, with the construction of a new East Stand and the removal of the old Kop Stand.

Back in the big time

Leeds United then returned to the Premier League in 2020, back where they truly belong. There are plans to further develop and modernize the ground in the coming years, including the construction of a new North Stand.

Elland Road is one of the finest stadiums in all of England. It has an electric atmosphere, packed with some of the most passionate fans in all of the land. Leeds should be proud to call it their home.

How to get to Elland Road:

Once you’re in Leeds, it’s extremely easy to get to Elland Road.

From The North:
Follow the A58 or A61 into Leeds city centre, then follow signs for the M621. Join the M621 and after one and a half miles leave the motorway at the junction with the A643. Follow the A643 into Elland Road for the ground. Go down Elland Road past the ground on your right and the Old Peacock pub on your left, you will come to a couple of entrances to a couple of very large car parks which aren’t too expensive to park in for a match day.

From The South:
Leave the M1 at Junction 43 and take the M621, towards Leeds City Centre. You will pass the ground on your left, you need to leave at the next Junction 1 and turn left onto the A6110 ring road. Take the next left onto Elland Road for the ground.

If you are taking public transport, the nearest train station is Leeds – which is approximately a 30-minute walk or a 10-minute taxi ride to the stadium.

There are also several bus routes that stop near the stadium, so you aren’t short of choice in regard to transport on matchday.

Leeds United Stadium tour and museum info:

Leeds United stadium tours offer exclusive behind-the-scenes access to the inner sanctum of Elland Road – including the players changing rooms. You will be escorted by knowledgeable tour guides who will talk you through the history of the club and the stadium.

The tour meeting point is at Billy’s Bar and will finish in the Superstore. Tour guests will receive a tour lanyard which gives the guest a 10% discount in the Superstore on the day of their tour.

Tickets to the stadium tour can be purchased right here.

Address:

Elland Road, Leeds, LS11 0ES