Leeds United News has the latest financial exclusive information on Elland Road’s redevelopment from Kieran Maguire and Adam Williams.
The 49ers are desperate for Elland Road redevelopment to take Leeds United to the next level in revenue terms, with it also opening doors for them commercially and in a variety of different ways for other non-sporting events et al.
Premier League football already means a significant increase in revenue for Leeds but the 49ers plan to put plenty of that cash into redeveloping Elland Road into one of English football’s largest stadiums.
Leeds City Council has agreed to negotiate a sale of land, while the 49ers have already announced plans to take Elland Road’s capacity from 37,792 to closer to 56,000.
Leeds’ redevelopment plans are mostly in place but a final decision on Elland Road is imminent in the coming weeks, with final details yet to be ironed out and potentially altered via the Elland Road consultation process.
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Finance expert Kieran Maguire makes grim prediction for Elland Road expansion
One of the aspects the 49ers will be desperate to maintain is the club’s atmosphere, with Leeds fans tested this summer in pre-season friendlies away from Elland Road. The other is fair prices to keep supporters getting value for money.
Per Sportico, the San Francisco 49ers have had the NFL’s highest matchday income three years in a row. They were $40 million ahead of the competition, which is £30 million more than their NFL rivals.
What that might mean for Leeds going forward if they use the same kind of strategy at an expanded Elland Road? Leeds United Newsfinance expert Adam Williams spoke to fellow expert Kieran Maguire regarding the matchday income across the pond.
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Maguire has given his insight on the situation going forwards for Leeds if they implement the strategy at the brand new Elland Road. Speaking exclusively to LUN, he said said: “There’s a big cultural difference between NFL and football fans in the UK.
“While 49ers are well aware that demand outstrips supply at Leeds United, I think they will be wanting to keep the fanbase and all of the positives that brings to the club onside.
“They will, therefore, be cautious in the short-term about significant price rises for tickets. Moving forwards as Elland Road expands, however, I would expect them to target the corporate and hospitality fanbase much more.”
Despite relegation two years ago, Leeds have over 26,000 supporters on a season ticket waiting list. On that, Maguire added: “If Leeds fans on the waiting list for season tickets are expecting to have the opportunity to see their team at an expanded Elland Road week in, week out, I suspect they are going to be disappointed.
“Corporate customers and individual matchday fans — and Leeds have a very international fanbase that feeds into that — are willing to pay higher prices. On the back of that, I expect the direction of travel to be that way as far as matchday revenue is concerned.
“With the likes of Man United and Spurs now easily exceeding the £100 million barrier, the only way that Leeds can keep even a modest amount behind those clubs is to have an increase in the pricing structure.”
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When Leeds’ Elland Road expansion will be finalised
There have already been ‘concerns’ raised about Leeds’ expansion, and things like Leeds’ car parking situation might develop into a major issue.
However, thankfully for the council, they’ve got plenty of time to resolve this error as it’s reported that work on constructing the new-look stand is not expected to begin until May 2026 and won’t be completed until late 2028.
As for the North Stand, work isn’t expected to be done until 2030, giving plenty of time for the council to assess the situation. They don’t just want a multi-storey car park but tram links at Elland Road as well.
They will go alongside a number of other renovations in and around the ground. Former Leeds journalist Phil Hay has also stated what Elland Road needs going forwards.
However, the 49ers know they cannot afford to get this wrong, such is the importance of maintaining the fanbase’s loyalty and support. That means perhaps reconsidering huge ticket price hikes.