Leeds United will hope to increase the capacity of Elland Road up to 53,000 after securing planning permission to expand the historic stadium – making it one of the largest in the country
Aaron Morris Senior Sports Reporter
17:04, 08 Jan 2026Updated 17:46, 08 Jan 2026
Leeds United have secured planning permission for an expansion of their Elland Road stadium(Image: Leeds City Council)
Leeds United have been granted planning permission from councillors to expand Elland Road.
The club submitted plans last summer to expand the ground’s capacity from 37,645 to 53,000, which will make it one of the largest stadiums in England. And following a council meeting on Thursday, the the Peacocks have been given the green light to start development work on the West Stand, while also expanding plans for the North Stand.
At the meeting, 11 councillors voted in favour of the move to one against it. Meanwhile, fans across the city have also thrown their support toward the redevelopment, which will allow more fans to watch matchdays live and in the flesh.
As well as seeing an increased capacity, 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.
Elsewhere, the 26,000 fans currently on the list waiting for a season ticket will be significantly reduced due to a greater supply in seats. While many other football teams have been forced to compete in temporary stadiums during redevelopment works, Elland Road will remain open and operational throughout the project.
Speaking about the expansion, 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.
The capacity of Leeds United’s Elland Road will be expanded to 53,000(Image: Getty Images)
“I would like to thank everyone involved in the project to date, for helping us reach this point.”
Leeds United Chief Business Officer, Morrie Eisenberg, added: “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.”
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