Leeds United’s plans to redevelop Elland Road were put on hold when the club were relegated from the Premier League after the 2022/23 season. With the Whites battling to return to the top flight as swiftly as possible, the West Yorkshire outfit are in need of the financial benefits that Premier League football brings, to get their plans for the expansion of Elland Road back on track.

Three Years In The Premier League Not Enough

Former owner Andrea Radrizzani had hoped to be responsible for bringing Elland Road up to modern standards but the Italian businessman decided to sell after relegation last summer. Leeds, who are 4/1 to win the Championship title this season in the betting on sports, find themselves in a promotion battle to get back to the Premier League at the first time of asking. The West Yorkshire outfit, who are 4/11 in tips with Paddy Power News to be promoted this season, saw 49ers Enterprises take over ahead of the 2023/24 Championship campaign. The American owners are fully aware of the need to develop Leeds’ traditional ground of Elland Road but will also know that a Premier League return is essential to finance it.

Radrizzani had hoped that a few years in the top flight would be enough to raise the funds needed to start development but with Leeds’ first season in the Premier League impacted by a lack of fans in the stadium due to the global pandemic, the club’s finances did take a hit. Relegation last season saw any Elland Road plans put on hold and now the club's new owners have switched all their focus on getting the team back to the head table of English football.

Balance Needs To Be Stuck For Elland Road Development

While the home of Leeds United is often lauded for its traditional feel and atmosphere on game days, it’s a stadium that is in desperate need of development. The East Stand is the newest section of the ground and even that was opened for the 1993/94 season at a cost of £5.5million. It would cost significantly more than that to make the developments needed to bring Elland Road up to the stadium the club needs in the 21st century.

Plans to move to a new location for a brand new stadium would be met with resistance from supporters and the club’s previous plans did look at expanding the current ground. Leeds are believed to have a 22,000-person waiting list for season tickets, so expanding the ground to at least 50,000 was part of the plans that for the moment have been put on hold. As one of the biggest cities in the country and with just one football club, Leeds have a big following that needs a larger stadium. Even in the Championship this season the Whites, under manager Daniel Farke, have been selling out in most of their home games.

For now, the focus is on the football and getting this club back to where many believe it belongs in the Premier League. Should the Whites earn their way back to the big time, rumblings of development to Elland Road would start up soon after.

© Jake