Leeds United are continuing to work in the background on their plans to redevelop Elland Road, which moved a step closer in September. Here is everything we know so far:
What will Elland Road’s new capacity be?
Elland Road currently has a capacity of 37,645 but Leeds are planning to increase it to 53,000, which would make it the seventh largest club stadium in England.
Angus Kinnear’s premium seats admission
In an ideal world for Leeds supporters, the expansion of Elland Road would simply mean more seats available for season ticket holders, members and general admission.
Leeds currently have 26,000 people on the waiting list for season tickets and clearly the increased capacity would help lower that number. However, Angus Kinnear has admitted a number of the new seats will be for premium hospitality.
Speaking on the Square Ball last month, he said: “There’s no hiding from the fact that increasing the number of premium seats will be part of the plan. That’s why all of the planning applications that are currently underway are for the West Stand and the North Stand.
“The vision at the moment is the North Stand wouldn’t have any hospitality at all, and the West Stand would have an increase in hospitality. You cannot fund a stadium build just on GA seats. You need premium seats in there. And I think there will also be a bigger spread of premium seats.
“One of the things that Leeds United doesn’t have very many of — it’s got the Bremner [suite], I think — is a base level of, in industry terms, premium GA, but it’s effectively a GA seat which has an element of hospitality on it, but actually is a huge step up for supporters.
“And at both West Ham and Arsenal, we found lots and lots of existing season ticket holders were prepared to step up into premium general admission to get a better located seat and access to a bar.”
How do Leeds plan to maintain Elland Road’s famous atmosphere?
As a result of the last point, Leeds fans are a little worried about the potential effect of a bigger ground with an increased number of premium seats could hinder the atmosphere.
Clubs such as Manchester City, West Ham and Arsenal have all moved into larger stadiums in years gone by and seen their atmospheres impacted as a result.
However, according to Leeds’ most recent official update, the club have brought in ‘specialist acoustic consultants’ to ensure that does not happen.
Elland Road expansion to help ‘wider regeneration plans of South Leeds’
Given Elland Road is someway from the city centre, there are certainly plenty of improvements that can be made regarding access to the stadium.
And according to Leeds City Council leader James Lewis, these plans are expected to provide the platform for ‘wider regeneration plans of South Leeds’, including public transport.
Here is what Lewis said: “Getting there will be easier with work to improve Leeds Station and the introduction of a White Rose rail station, along with the potential of a proposed mass transit route from the city centre close to the ground.
“We’ve had some very positive initial meetings with their team and look forward to working with them on this important vision, to ensure this project moves forward and unlocks significant benefits to the city and its communities.”
Leeds to emulate Liverpool’s Anfield expansion
Liverpool have shown Leeds the way when it comes to expanding a famous old stadium, and it has been reported by the Athletic that the Whites will look to emulate them.
Since 2016, Liverpool have taken their stadium capacity from just over 40,000 to 61,276. In doing that, the Reds simply built upper tiers on top of the original structure, before then renovating the lower tiers. The Main Stand and Anfield Road Stand are the two they have upgraded.
The North and West Stands are the two Leeds are keen to increase, both of which have space to accommodate an upper tier.
At one stage, Liverpool did have as many as 11,000 seats out of use during the process, and Leeds are going to have to deal with that. However, the club have promised a ‘phased approach to construction to minimise loss of seating capacity.’
What Paraag Marathe has said about Elland Road expansion
Leeds chairman Paraag Marathe is no stranger to these sort of projects, having also overseen the huge redevelopment of San Francisco 49ers’ Levi’s Stadium.
Marathe pledged after Leeds’ failure to win promotion last season that plans would continue to press on, and that has proven to be true.
Here are the latest comments from Marathe regarding Elland Road: “We recognise how important Elland Road is to the Leeds United fans and the wider community. 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.”
What plans/pictures have been released on Elland Road so far?
Leeds are yet to release any official pictures/blueprints of how Elland Road will look once work is complete, and fans will be eagerly awaiting for them to drop.
Andrea Radrizzani’s failed Elland Road ambition
Leeds have had plans to increase Elland Road for several years now but it is only under the 49ers where significant progress has been made.
Former owner Andrea Radrizzani announced his intentions to do so during Leeds’ centenary year back in 2019, but under Kinnear’s admission, the Italian simply didn’t have the money to fund his grand plans.
Via the Daily Mirror, here is what Kinnear said back in 2019: “In our centenary year we’re very proud to announce a partnership with the council on two initiatives.
“They fall under the title of Vision Elland Park. You notice that is a far cry from the Beeston we see today. Part of it is around the stadium and taking our stadium up to 50,000 and turning it into a true ground which can compete with other stadiums in the Premier League and in Europe.”
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