Paraag Marathe and the 49ers are looking to expand Leeds United’s Elland Road into one of the largest in the country.
It’s fair to say that the 49ers are hoping to unlock more of Leeds United’s enormous potential via the redevelopment of Elland Road.
Stadium Capacity
Old Trafford 74,310
Tottenham Hotspur Stadium 62,850
The London Stadium 62,500
Anfield 61,276
The Emirates 60,704
Elland Road c56,500
The Etihad 53,400
Hill Dickinson Stadium 52,888
St. James’ Park 52,305
The Stadium of Light 49,000
Leeds City Council agreed to negotiate a sale of Elland Road land, while the 49ers have already announced plans to take Elland Road’s capacity from 37,792 to closer to 56,000.
It’s been said that 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.
Paraag Marathe watches Leeds United vs Bristol City.
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images
Paraag Marathe on Elland Road’s expansion and what it means for Leeds
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.
Paraag Marathe has outlined exactly what that entails for the club, speaking via Sky Sports. He said: “First, I’ll start by saying we have so many supporters in Leeds being a one club city.
“Potentially, the biggest one club city in Europe. The day we open the stadium with more seats, we will be able to fill it. Because that’s just how passionate Leeds supporters are.
“The reason we want to do it is to get them in. And, honestly, to create more revenue so that every penny we earn gets back onto the pitch.”
MORE LEEDS UNITED STORIES
ALeeds United Newsexclusive has explained how the 49ers will increase Elland Road revenue further via the increase in ticket pricing, much like the San Francisco 49ers have had in USA.
Marathe has since explained that there are minimal differences between owning an American football team and an English one. He added: “Honestly, I can’t speak for other American owners, I can speak for myself.
“I’ve been in sports for almost three decades now. I love winning, I hate to lose, and that’s what drives me.
“I honestly don’t think about the commercial side of it, I think about making this club as successful on the pitch as it can be. And it matters to me.
“There’s no hours in a day, weeks in a year that really limit me. It’s literally win or go home and I just want to do everything I can to make the club as good as it can be.
“And I don’t really compare myself to others: American owners, British owners, wherever other chairman are from.”
Paraag Marathe - Leeds United chairman
Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images
Paraag Marathe explains the short-term plan for Leeds in the Premier League
Of course, the only way to expand Elland Road is to be an established Premier League side. Leeds need that constant revenue stream if they are to complete the process by 2030.
Even if Leeds’ owners, the 49ers, have done their Premier League research, it is not a guarantee that safety will be assured. Mrathe was also asked about Leeds’ ambitions for 2025/26 in the top flight.
He said: “Honestly, my ambitions are to prove that we belong. Leeds United deserves to be here.
“Excited is one word to use. Nervous and grateful are a couple other words I’m feeling right now as well.
“We really just want to show that we belong. We’re here but we haven’t yet arrived.”