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Fans react as Leeds confirm big plans to ‘re-imagine and enhance Elland Road Stadium’

Fans react as Leeds United confirm big plans to ‘re-imagine and enhance Elland Road Stadium’, with a statement issued this week.

The Championship outfit has announced ambitious plans to expand the capacity of their home ground, Elland Road, to accommodate up to 53,000 supporters.

This development aims to meet the high demand for tickets, evidenced by the stadium being sold out for every match over the last six years and a 26,000 strong waiting list for season tickets.

The current capacity of Elland Road stands at 37,645. The expansion will see this grow by over 15,000 seats. It is in line to become England’s seventh-largest club ground.

The expansion will be carried out in phases to minimise disruption, focusing on the North and West Stands. This approach ensures that the stadium can remain operational throughout the construction process.

Alongside the capacity increase, there are plans to modernise the facilities to meet UEFA Category 4 regulations, aiming to host elite European matches in the future.

CLUB STATEMENT:

Key ambitions:

– Modernise and improve stadium capacity from 37,645 to c.53,000 seats

– Significant increase to general admission seating, which at present would make Elland Road the seventh largest club stadium in the country

– A core architectural design objective is to maintain and enhance the unique atmosphere

– Phased approach to construction to minimise loss of seating capacity during the project

– Bring Elland Road in line with UEFA Category 4 status, to be amongst the elite in European stadia

– Expert team, combining global stadium experience with local specialist knowledge, assembled to deliver artist’s impressions and planning submission

“Leeds United Football Club today announces next steps in the plan to re-imagine and enhance Elland Road Stadium, home of the Whites since 1919.

“Earlier this year, the ownership of the stadium was transferred back to Leeds United, giving the club full control of the ground for the first time since 2004, with plans now in the works for its long-term future.

“The existing stadium has a capacity of 37,645 seats, with regeneration set to increase that to circa 53,000, with greatly improved general admission and hospitality facilities.

“Leeds United is a one-club city, a rarity in European football and demand for tickets consistently outpaces the currently available supply.

“Elland Road in its current form has sold out for every match over the last six years and there are 26,000 supporters on the waiting list for season tickets.

“The revitalisation will focus on increasing capacity to the North and West Stands and will be delivered in phases to maintain as much seating as possible during construction.

“The club, along with owners 49ers Enterprises, have brought in specialist acoustic consultants to ensure Elland Road’s unique atmosphere is retained.

“A local transport consultant has been commissioned to help plan access routes and manage traffic flows during construction.

“Critically, the club and the professional team will also be looking closely at matchday travel plans to ensure an improvement in the experience for both residents and supporters arriving at the ground.

Paraag Marathe, Chairman of Leeds United Football Club and President of 49ers Enterprises, said: “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.”

Councillor James Lewis, Leader of Leeds City Council, said: “As council leader and a lifelong Leeds United fan I very much welcome this news for what it could mean for the club, its supporters, the local community and the city. Leeds United inspires real passion in fans and Elland Road itself allows them to demonstrate that fervent support to great effect. Expanding and enhancing the existing ground will allow many more fans access to games while protecting the unique Elland Road atmosphere. This investment can also be a catalyst for wider regeneration plans of South Leeds, which represents an opportunity of national significance. 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 United’s owners, 49ers Enterprises, have a wealth of experience having built the famous Levi’s Stadium, one of the premier sports and entertainment venues in the world, whilst members of the club’s board are renowned for overseeing successful major real estate projects across the globe.

The revitalisation of Elland Road Stadium will see 49ers Enterprises bring their expertise from the US, in overseeing a UK-based project team which includes stadium-specialist architects KSS, structural engineers Buro Happold and management team at RISE, whose leadership team managed the delivery of some of the most successful mixed-use projects in the UK.

Fans react as Leeds confirm big plans to ‘re-imagine and enhance Elland Road Stadium’…

@AFin26UK: How people find something negative about this to say blows my mind 😂😂 It’s an incredibly exciting piece of news, not just for the tens of thousands of people who will get to go to the games but also for the scale and growth of the club both on and off the pitch. Modern ⚽️

@OliWhiteMOT93: Improve the facilities and increase the capacity, but maintain the soul. No pressure lads

@BarneyLUFC21: Fantastic news. A massive step forward where previous ownership’s haven’t been able to do this. Dealing with Leeds city council should be go fun though

@IvorBig29545826: Great news but we seem to have been talking about this for decades. Be great to finally see some plans and a date for spades in the ground. Will it include a nightclub?!?!

@The4thHulat: I’d just be happy if we could get through the traffic lights and past the roundabout next to Elland Rd when you turn off the M621. I mean the slip road is basically just a dropping off point these days

@chrisl007007: It’s not a plan as there are no dates, it’s a statement of intent, exactly the same intent Radz published when he was owner and look what happened.

@NicholasRaLUFC: They’ll no doubt be people who’ll moan, but it’s all good news as far as I’m concerned! Bring it on Seventh biggest stadium is crazy btw #LUFC

@lufcMM0: Really good news but let’s see how it actually pans out. Leeds City council have notoriously been hard to work with & statement of intent is very different to actually doing it. Also important it gets rebuilt in the right manner and doesn’t turn into a bowl. No pressure. #LUFC

@Diddlysquatv3: This is great news. The stadium needs modernising anyway so it has to be done and this will improve the North and West stands plus giving more fans a chance to watch their team. What’s not to like? Well done 49ers. 👏🏽👏🏽 It’s all good. MOT

@BowesNeville: Great news & we will fill that too , considering 20,000 on the waiting list for a season ticket which will leave 5000 still on the waiting list for season ticket, would prefer 60,000 capacity but will be happy with this , when will the upgrade begin ?

@MaybeMartLowe: Talk a good game all we won’t, if still in champ or yo-yo club with no ambition it’s all pointless imo.. that said transport link & possible trainline does sound decent, but that will cost a fair wack.. cant see it happening

@JamesGLUFC: From getting an average of 20,000 in the mid 2010’s. To being able to announce a stadium capacity increase and new redevelopments to the 2 stands mentioned. What a day for the club and the fans. Hopefully when this is complete we’ll be in the Prem competing with the best 🙏 #LUFC

@mattylufc_: All well and good having grand plans but if we don’t go up due to their lack of investment the current ground won’t sell out never mind an expanded one

@mrdavidnwood: Yeah, good news if it happens I guess. Should’ve/would’ve happened 20 years ago if Ridsdale hadn’t nearly put the club into oblivion. I’ll believe it when I see the bulldozers

@Charlie_Robb96: Awful idea. Literally one bad ownership move away from having more empty seats than fans in the ground…again. Not even 8 years ago we were averaging 21,000 a week.

@LUFC_QUINNY: How any fan can moan about this is beyond me it’s been needed for far too long the stadium the area the transport links has need huge overhaul for far too long personally believe this will be huge benefit to everyone

@Emmaburnell: Sort some WiFi/signal out, the toilets and get some decent lager in first please.

@NathJones16: Mental they’re even thinking about this while stuck in the championship. Shouldn’t even be a conversation by any owner until they have us in the prem, steady after a good 3 seasons.

@NUFCLC: Darren Eales promised updates on ours a year ago (just like he promised they’d spend money in summer). Other than dancing around in Stack to get the lowest IQ fans onside and compulsively lie every time he opens his mouth, what does he actually do? #NUFC

@c_ellis92: Pleasing to hear they’re looking at the local transport links. Elland Road is crying out for a local train station or even tram route. Been a nightmare to get to and from for so many years. Although, we all know at least 8k of the increase will go to hospitality no doubt. #lufc

@RichySouthern: Basket case club Leeds going to have a bigger stadium than SJP. Howay Eales, Miller & co. Get a move on man.

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