Design team comes together for LUFC redevelopment

Sold out for the last six years, the keenly-awaited expansion of Leeds United’s Elland Road stadium from a capacity of around 38,000 to 53,000 is being advanced by club owner 49ers Enterprises.

Taking the capacity of Elland Road to 53,000 would make it the seventh largest club stadium in the country, and the club is keen to meet a demand demonstrated by its 26,000-strong season ticket waiting list.

US-based advisors will work with a UK-based project team including stadium-specialist architect KSS, structural engineer Buro Happold and RISE.

KSS has worked on projects including training grounds for Liverpool and Toulouse, and facilities at Brighton’s Amex and Chelsea’s Stamford Bridge stadiums, as well as the Ahmed bin Ali Stadium, a host venue for the 2022 Qatar World Cup.

LUFC said that a phased construction is the plan, in order to minimise the loss of seating capacity throughout the project. The club also said that “a core architectural design objective is to maintain and enhance the unique atmosphere” of Elland Road.

The development would bring Elland Road in line with UEFA Category 4 status, putting it in the top rank of European stadia.

Leeds have played at Elland Road since 1919. Earlier this year, the ownership of the stadium was transferred back to a club that has gone through a series of ownership wrangles. Now, LUFC has for the first time since 2004 secured full control of the ground, enabling plans to be put together. The existing stadium has a capacity of 37,645 seats but hasn’t seen any major development since the 1990s.

With the East Stand being the largest and newest part of the ground, the revitalisation will focus on increasing capacity to the North (Kop end) and West stands.

Paraag Marathe, chairman of Leeds United FC 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.”

Having delivered Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California – home of the San Francisco 49ers – 49ers Enterprises is confident it can deliver a project bringing Elland Road up to date after years of watching rival clubs improve their facilities.

Cllr 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.”

As Cllr Lewis indicates, a stop for Elland Road is in the current thinking for the first phase of West Yorkshire’s proposed tram network.