LEEDS have announced plans to increase the capacity of their iconic Elland Road stadium by 40 per cent.
This means the Championship ground will host the same amount of fans as seven-time Premier League champs Manchester City.
The former Prem stadium will take its capacity from 37,600 to 53,000 – almost level with City’s Etihad ground at 53,400.
The plans would see Elland Road become the seventh largest club stadium in England.
The ground would also be modernised to meet Uefa Category 4 regulations for “elite” European stadia.
Leeds chairman Paraag Marathe said: “We recognise how important Elland Road is to the Leeds United fans and the wider community.
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“The opportunity to refresh a century-old stadium, coupled with the legacy of Leeds United, is unprecedented.
“Our plans reinforce our commitment to the long-term success of the club.
“I am excited that we are going to be able to welcome thousands more supporters to every game, in a stadium that retains the unique atmosphere of Elland Road.
“We look forward to sharing our plans with supporters and the local community for their input.”
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There are also 26,000 supporters on the waiting list for season tickets.
This year the ownership of Elland Road, home to Leeds since 1919, was transferred back to the club for the first time in 20 years.
Marathe is president of the club’s owners, 49ers Enterprises who have experience in constructing stunning state-of-the-art stadiums.
49er Enterprises built the 68,500 capacity Levi’s Stadium, home to the San Francisco 49ers NFL franchise.
The company has hired acoustic consultants to work on preserving Elland Road’s fierce atmosphere.
But Man City are currently undergoing a £300million renovation to take the ground’s capacity to above 60,000 – a jump of 13 per cent.
And 400-bed hotel will open as part of the build.
But Elland Road will be larger than the world’s richest club Newcastle’s St James’ Park (52,305).
It will become the fifth largest football stadium in the country behind Wembley, Old Trafford, the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, West Ham’s ground and Anfield.
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Leeds city council leader James Lewis said: “This investment can also be a catalyst for wider regeneration plans of south Leeds, which represents an opportunity of national significance.”
Leeds fell short in their attempt to secure immediate promotion back to the Prem after losing 1-0 to Southampton in the Championship play-off final – but will make it their mission to jump back up this term.
What we know about the ‘new’ Old Trafford
MANCHESTER UNITED plan to build a new stadium rather than redevelop Old Trafford.
The decision was made after a number of fact-finding missions to other stadiums including the Bernabeu and Nou Camp.
The cost of the project is expected to be a staggering £2billion.
A capacity of 100,000 is expected.
It is felt that a club of United’s standing should have a new state-of-the-art facility.
The new stadium will be built on land adjacent to the Red Devils’ current home.
United are looking to not only build a stadium but regenerate the area of Trafford where the ground will stand.
There had been plans to KEEP Old Trafford rather than demolish it, and use it as a scaled down second venue.
However, it’s looking increasing likely that it will in fact be entirely demolished.
The club consulted with 30,000 fans about what to do and believe there is roughly a 50-50 split on staying or moving.
The club have appointed the architects Foster + Partners to come up with a “masterplan”. The company were behind Wembley Stadium.
Old Trafford has been United’s home since 1910.
The target is for completion by 2030.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
