How Leeds United are looking to emulate Liverpool in their plans to redevelop Elland Road

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Leeds United could soon be playing in the seventh largest club stadium in England.

The Whites announced the next steps in their plans to redevelop Elland Road earlier this week. It could see the capacity rise to 53,000 from 37,645 to cope with the increasing demand for tickets.

Simon Jordan believes Leeds’ stadium redevelopment plans could be the catalyst to getting back to the top again. He also thinks Leeds are now under an ownership who really know what they are doing.

Leeds have sold out every home match for six years straight and 26,000 people on the season ticket waiting list, it makes sense to move forward with plans.

Returning to the Premier League will of course be crucial to this being a success, though. It will help attract top players, and keep fans coming through the door.

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Leeds looking to emulate Liverpool in Elland Road expansion

There had been some question marks over whether Leeds’ failure to win promotion would put plans on hold. However, shortly after the play-off final, Paraag Marathe assured that would not be the case.

Leeds are still some way off from being able to start the work, but according to the Athletic, they could look to emulate how Liverpool have redeveloped Anfield in recent years.

Since 2016, Liverpool have taken their stadium capacity from just over 40,000 to 61,276. In doing that, the Reds simply build upper tiers on top of the original structure, as well as then renovating the lower tiers. The Main Stand and Anfield Road Stand are the two they have upgraded.

And Leeds could look to do the same thing, with the North Stand and West Stand the two expected to be increased once work is started.

Unfortunately, it could lead to Elland Road operating at a smaller capacity on matchdays. At one point, 11,000 seaters were out of action for Liverpool.

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How Elland Road will ranks vs other top English stadiums

Once plans to redevelop Elland Road are completed, it would have Leeds back among the English elite.

It is a long time since Leeds have been competing at the top, with the one exception their first season back in the Premier League under Marcelo Bielsa.

However, this would sustainably help them stay there. Here is how they will rank against the other big club stadiums in England.