Where we are up and what to expect on the stadium’s expansion as Leeds United take their first steps
Scaffolding has gone up outside of the West Stand(Image: Leeds Live)
The expansion work at Elland Road is underway as a new era in the stadium’s history begins. This will not be a quick build.
At present, the West Stand is expected to be completed around late 2028 with the North Stand – which still needs to be granted full planning permission – possibly taking further two years to fully finish.
After a number of delays due to the transport and traffic management plan needing to be revised, the project was given the go-ahead by Leeds City Council in January, meaning the original timeline estimates remain in place.
As ever in construction, timelines can elongate and who knows what disruptions may come down the tracks. But the work has been granted approval with preparation procedures started. So the ball is finally rolling.
Such expansion dreams had been talked about for years but the 49ers have been the Leeds United owners to make it happen, amid a season ticket waiting list that now stretches beyond 26,000. The size of the expansion means this list will be whittled down, but not eradicated.
An artist’s impression of the new-look Elland Road. Image: Leeds United FC
The capacity increase from 37,645 to 53,000 will place Elland Road in the top 10 biggest English football stadia as things stand. An important thing to point out is that the project does not depend on Leeds staying in the Premier League.
The work will be carried out and completed regardless of division, but of course staying in the top flight makes everything run smoother. Not only will new investors be more inclined to get involved but interest rates will decrease the longer Leeds stay up.
United are on course to overcome the first big hurdle of securing Premier League survival as a newly-promoted club. That will help the expansion project keep to timeline but the next step is for the club to establish themselves as top tier regulars once again.
Do that, and life becomes easier. The longer a team stays in the Premier League, the more they can show creditors that they can make repayments given the reliability of the club staying up and thus being beneficiaries of the revenue this brings.
As for the here and now, the early bits of groundwork are already underway. Scaffolding can be seen on the West Stand, diggers have been spotted and planning directives have been spray-painted on the ground.
Several signs have popped up around Elland Road(Image: Leeds Live)
The club has already announced that the new security hub will be moved to the North East corner, with the Don Revie FA Cup mural set to be wiped and repainted elsewhere as a result.
Parts of the ground will need to be demolished and rebuilt but the main bulk of work will happen during summer and international break periods, starting this summer. That is why the scheme will take a while to complete.
The club are keen not to lose the special atmosphere inside Elland Road, a main weapon for the team, during the season. Meanwhile, the design has been blueprinted in a manner in which it is hoped that the atmosphere will be both retained and enhanced once everything is completed.
As of October, new architects have been appointed to oversee this, though the design remains unaltered. Daniel Farke has been consulted over the lay-out of the dressing room and the importance of atmosphere.
Whether he will be in situ to see the stadium expansion come to completion will only be told in time but he will nevertheless have always had a small role in the works, which will become more noticeable, brazen and obvious this summer.
If you drive past Elland Road, expect to see a few exciting and promising sights.
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