Leeds United have been given the greenlight to step up their development plans for Elland Road as they target a 53,000 capacity stadium
Brian Dick Reach Football Correspondent
11:36, 09 Jan 2026
Elland Road
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Leeds United have secured planning permission for an expansion of Elland Road(Image: Leeds City Council)
Leeds United have taken a major step forward in their plans to make Elland Road one of the biggest football stadia in the Premier League.
After a submission to increase the capacity to 53,000 last summer, the club learned on Thursday afternoon those proposals have been approved by council planners.
Elland Road will also be elevated to UEFA Category Four status, while improvements in terms of fan comfort, lines of sight and matchday amenities will also be made – perhaps most importantly Leeds will be able to make big inroads into their season ticket waiting list.
The planning application sought full permission to expand the West Stand and outline permission to extend the North Stand and preparation work will begin immediately with construction expected to get underway in the summer.
Completion, which is scheduled for 2030 will propel Leeds into the upper echelons of the Premier League capacity charts, in which Elland Road is currently twelfth on 37,890.
The current top ten – and where Elland Road would fit
Manchester United Old Trafford 74,412
Tottenham Hotspur Tottenham Hotspur Stadium 62,850
West Ham London Stadium 62,500
Liverpool Anfield 61,276
Arsenal Emirates Stadium 60,704
Manchester City Etihad Stadium 55,000
Leeds United Elland Road (expanded) 53,000
Everton Hill Dickinson Stadium 52,769
Newcastle United St James' Park 52,264
Sunderland Stadium of Light 48,707
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Aston Villa Villa Park 42,918
Of course the footballing landscape is ever evolving, there is talk of new grounds at Manchester United and even at Newcastle, while Birmingham City, who have been outside of the Premier League since 2011, are planning to open a 62,000-seater stadium called The Powerhouse, in 2030.
Aston Villa are targeting a capactiy of over 50,000 too as they plan significant expansion works to their North Stand by 2027.