- January 9, 2026
- Posted by: SportsV
- Categories: Featured Articles, Features, Home News, Industry News, News, Press Releases
Leeds United Football Club has confirmed this week that planning permission has been granted for the long-awaited expansion of Elland Road Stadium, a historic milestone for the club, its supporters and the city of Leeds.
Following a decision by Leeds City Council’s Plans Panel at The Civic Hall yesterday (January 8), approval has been secured to increase the stadium’s capacity to up to 53,000, through the expansion of the West and North Stands and targeted alterations to the South Stand.
The approved plans will transform Elland Road into a UEFA Category 4 stadium, placing it among the elite venues in European football. This positive planning decision also enables Leeds United, alongside civic partners, to bid to host major international tournaments and showcase events in the future, generating significant cultural and economic value for the Leeds City Region.
The expansion has been carefully designed to enhance the matchday experience while protecting what makes Elland Road special. Supporters can look forward to:
- Improved seating comfort and sightlines throughout the expanded stands
- Enhanced concourses, fan amenity spaces and hospitality facilities, both inside and around the stadium
- A more inclusive and accessible environment for all visitors
- The preservation of Elland Road’s renowned atmosphere and acoustics, ensuring the intensity and identity of the ground remain undiminished
For players, the enhanced stadium environment will provide a stage befitting elite-level football, strengthening the club’s ability to compete at the highest level and attract top talent.
Leeds United 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 2026 SVB LIVE Conference & Exhibition – with a focus on elevating the live experience through pillars including Architecture & Design, Commercialisation, Fit-Out & Interiors, and Premium Experience – is being hosted at Everton’s spectacular new Hill Dickinson Stadium on October 1st and 2nd, with an Opening Night Icebreaker on September 30th.
Leeds United Chief Business Officer, Morrie Eisenberg, said:
“From setting out our initial ambitions for Elland Road in late September 2024 to receiving planning approval today, the progress we have made is something we are immensely proud of. This has been a truly collective effort, with Leeds City Council, our local communities in Holbeck and Beeston, National Highways, our expert advisers and, most importantly, our supporters all pulling together to reach this milestone.
“The overwhelming level of support, with 98% of respondents backing the proposals, demonstrates how deeply this club and stadium matter to the city. Without our fans, this moment would not be possible. The expansion will allow us to welcome thousands more supporters through the gates, reduce the 26,000-strong Season Ticket Waiting List, and create a better matchday experience for everyone.
“The stadium expansion project is also the first step towards the wider regeneration of the Elland Road neighbourhood. Alongside our partners, we are committed to ensuring this development delivers lasting social and economic benefits, from job creation to increased investment, while continuing to grow our community impact through the Leeds United Foundation and organisations such as Holbeck Together.”
Next steps:
Enabling works will commence immediately, with major construction activity scheduled to begin following the end of the current season. Elland Road will remain open throughout the expansion, ensuring the club continues to play its home matches at its historic home.
Further updates will be shared with supporters and stakeholders as the project progresses.
In a statement, KSS – the practice that conceived the stadium expansion concept and developed the design to planning – said:
“We are delighted that Leeds City Council has agreed to grant permission for the recent planning application to redevelop Elland Road Stadium, a landmark moment for Leeds United Football Club and the wider Leeds community.
“This approval represents a major milestone in the Club’s journey to transform one of English football’s most iconic venues. It follows an extensive and inclusive public consultation process, during which supporters and local residents shared overwhelmingly positive feedback on the proposals.
“At KSS, we are very proud to have conceived and developed the design to planning, ensuring every design decision reflected the Club’s ambition and the fans’ passion. The phased expansion will increase capacity from 37,645 to approximately 53,000, while preserving and enhancing Elland Road’s unique atmosphere that makes Elland Road special.
“We are pleased to now hand over responsibility for the delivery of our design to BDP Pattern, Buro Happold, ME Engineers and RISE.”
BDP Pattern – the sports and entertainment division of BDP – was appointed to deliver the redevelopment of the West Stand at Elland Road Stadium back in 2025.
BDP Pattern’s appointment builds on its acclaimed work at Everton’s new Hill Dickinson Stadium – host venue for the 2026 SVB LIVE Conference & Exhibition – where the practice has been praised for combining cutting-edge design with an unrivalled fan experience, delivering the project on time and on budget. Its proven ability to deliver complex stadium projects in live environments will be central to the success of Elland Road’s transformation.
BDP Pattern will deliver the design that KSS Design Group so carefully crafted for Elland Road.
Key highlights:
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Capacity increased to up to 53,000, creating one of the largest club stadiums in the country
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Elland Road elevated to UEFA Category 4 status
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Major improvements to fan comfort, sightlines and matchday amenities, inside and outside the stadium
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Reduction of the 26,000-strong Season Ticket Waiting List
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Stadium enhancement enables Leeds to bid to host major international tournaments and events
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Forecast to generate around £29 million a year for the Leeds City Region economy supporting jobs, local businesses and long-term investment
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Enabling works to commence immediately, with major construction following the end of the current season
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Elland Road will remain open and operational throughout the expansion
Source & imagery, courtesy: Leeds United
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