Credit: Imago

Daniel Lewis

Sat 27 December 2025 9:04, UK

Leeds United’s plans to expand Elland Road could be just days away from being given the green light.

The Whites announced plans in April to upgrade their long-time home to bring the capacity from 37,645 to 56,500.

It is hoped Elland Road could stage major sporting events once the stadium is expanded, making it one of the biggest grounds in the country.

A planning application to expand Elland Road has been submitted, and it looks as though an update on the next steps could be right around the corner.

Elland Road expansion could get green light in early January

Leeds are experiencing exciting times on the field right now, and it seems the perfect time to strike while the feel-good factor is at a high.

The Whites want to bring Elland Road in line with UEFA’s elite as a Category 4 ground, which would also mean facilities being improved and the general matchday experience for fans improved.

In a comment piece in Saturday’s Yorkshire Post print edition, it was reported that “plans for a major expan­sion of Elland Road [are] expec­ted to be given the green light by coun­cil­lors early next month.”

It adds: “Earlier this year, the coun­cil sug­ges­ted the redevel­op­ment of the sta­dium and the neigh­bour­ing land could unlock more than £1billion of dir­ect cap­ital invest­ment in the city.

“It is inten­ded the schemes would link with the other ongo­ing projects in south Leeds such as the build­ing of Brit­ish Lib­rary North.

“Foot­ball in gen­eral – and Leeds United in par­tic­u­lar – may not be every­one’s cup of tea, but they could be about to kick off some pos­it­ive eco­nomic improve­ments for York­shire.“

• Read more: Player who left Leeds in summer could return already in huge boost

Where will Elland Road rank among biggest in English football?

Should the expansion plans be signed off – and there is no reason why that will not be the case – it would see Elland Road became a stadium more fitting of a club of Leeds’ stature.

The expansion will be made possible by the sale of council land around the ground, which Leeds would purchase.

Wembley Stadium and Twickenham are the two biggest grounds in England right now, but in terms of club stadia, Leeds would be the sixth-biggest around.

Only Old Trafford, the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, the London Stadium, Anfield and the Emirates – three of those being in London – would be bigger.

It is fair to say that exciting times await for Leeds both on and off the field.

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