‘Historic day’ – Premier League club takes huge step in bid to build one of the UK’s biggest stadiums
Leeds United’s plans to increase the capacity of Elland Road have been approved.
The Premier League side are aiming to expand their iconic home to become ‘one of the biggest stadiums in the country’.
The news comes after planning permission was submitted to raise the capacity by more than 15,000 was submitted in the summer.
Leeds are looking to make Elland Road the seventh largest football stadium in England.
Their ground currently has 37,645 seats, but that figure will climb to around 53,000 after the proposed redevelopment project.
Leeds City Council have now approved the club’s application for the expansion of the West Stand and North Stand.
The planning panel have also agreed for alterations to the South Stand to take place.
Reacting to the news, Leeds chairman Paraag Marathe said: “We are delighted to have secured planning permission for the expansion of Elland Road Stadium.
“This is a historic day for Leeds United Football Club.
“As custodians of this great club, we are committed to its long-term success, and today’s decision supports our ambition to establish Leeds in the Premier League and continue progressing over the years to come.
“I would like to thank everyone involved in the project to date, for helping us reach this point.”
The club have confirmed that the redevelopment process will begin immediately.
Current top ten biggest football stadiums in UK
| Ranking | Stadium | Capacity |
| 1 | Wembley Stadium | 90,000 |
| 2 | Old Trafford | 74,310 |
| 3 | Principality Stadium | 73,931 |
| 4 | Tottenham Hotspur Stadium | 62,850 |
| 5 | London Stadium | 62,500 |
| 6 | Anfield | 61,276 |
| 7 | Emirates Stadium | 60,704 |
| 8 | Celtic Park | 60,411 |
| 9 | Etihad Stadium | 53,400 |
| 10 | St James’ Park | 52,305 |
Meanwhile, major construction work is scheduled to get underway at the end of the season.
Leeds have also clarified that they will continue to play home matches at Elland Road throughout the expansion project.
A total of 26,000 supporters were on the club’s season ticket waiting list ahead of their return to the Premier League this term.
In April, council leader Cllr James Lewis said: “Elland Road and Leeds United are part of the heart and soul of the city, and the club deserves a stadium befitting of its special status and incredible fans.
“Naturally, we’re keen to support this however we can, and to work closely with the club to ensure they are in the best possible position to achieve their ambitions and build a bigger, brighter future for the club, their supporters and sport in the city.
“From a wider perspective, the regeneration of the Elland Road area also represents one of the city’s most exciting development opportunities for a generation, which would revitalise a huge area of Leeds and potentially bring hundreds of millions of pounds into our local economy.”
Leeds have played at Elland Road since their formation in 1919, however since moving into their home, the club has renovated Elland Road multiple times.
The most recent redevelopment concluded in 2012, but it has been 33 years since the venue was expanded.
That increase saw 7,000 seats replace the terrace in the Don Revie Stand as Elland Road became all-seater.
Several matches were later hosted by the ground during Euro 1996 as well as England internationals in 2002 and 2018.
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