Leeds United have announced major restructuring plans at the club's iconic Elland Road stadium that will boost the ground's capacity in-line with some of the biggest Premier League venues as the Championship side lay out ambitious plans.
Elland Road has played home to Leeds for the past 105 years and the club's American billionaire owners, the 49ers Enterprises Global Football Group LLC, are eager to modernise the stadium.
Stating their priorities for the multi-million-pound redevelopment, Leeds outlined five key metrics that include gaining the stadium UEFA Category 4 status that will place them amongst Europe's elites.
The club will focus on lifting the current 37,645 seated capacity to 53,000, and have promised to maintain the 'unique atmosphere' that supporters have generated over the rich years throughout Leeds' history.
Leeds won't be demolishing the existing structure but will modernise and redevelop parts of the facility in a phased approach to construction that will reduce the impact on capacity issues that will be caused by the building work.
Leeds United have announced major restructuring plans at the club's iconic Elland Road stadium
. The club will focus on lifting the current 37,645 seated capacity to 53,000 at Elland Road
Leeds are currently sixth in the Championship after a mixed start to the new season
Announcing the exciting news in a statement to Leeds supporters, the club said: '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.
Leeds want the club's redevelopment plans to place them amongst Europe's best venues
'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,' the club's statement added.
Meanwhile, Paraag Marathe, Chairman of Leeds United Football Club and President of 49ers Enterprises also acknowledged the hard work that the club will be embarking on, adding: “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.