'Elland Road is a bit of a dump - but it's our dump'

"Elland Road has been a bit of a dump, but it's been our dump so I've loved it," jokes Kris Smith, a lifelong Leeds United fan.

"But for it to be enhanced physically like this will be such a boost."

Kris, like most other supporters, has waited years for the club's beloved home ground to be given an upgrade, and will likely not have to wait much longer.

The proposed redevelopment, which was first submitted by the club to Leeds City Council in July 2025, would see the ground's capacity increase from 37,645 to approximately 53,000, a jump of more than 15,000 fans each game.

It would be the ground's largest modification since the £5.5m construction of the East Stand in 1993 and could give Elland Road England's seventh largest football stadium capacity.

The latest step is expected to be approved at a Leeds City Council planning meeting on Thursday, which would give the green light for work to start on the West Stand, as well agreeing the project to expand the North Stand.

Kris, 27, says he's seen multiple attempts from owners to expand Elland Road, with little success.

Only now, under the stewardship of 49ers Enterprises - the investment arm of the San Francisco 49ers American Football team - does it feel real.

"It's inevitable that we've needed to do this, so it's great to see it actually finally being ratified," he says.

Leeds United says the regeneration will help meet the demand for match tickets, with 26,000 supporters currently on its season ticket waiting list.

That number has grown exponentially in recent years, following promotions from the Championship to the Premier League in 2020 and, more recently, 2025.

Kris says he hopes that such demand, alongside the extra revenue it would generate, will keep the club moving forward.

"We need to expand the stadium to compete with the teams we're looking up towards. If we want to establish ourselves, we're going to need a stadium that reflects that ambition.

"If the stadium is bringing in tens of millions more every year, we'd be able to blow other teams out of the water who can't bring in as many fans and it makes us more financially powerful."

Further developments have also been proposed to the 30 acres of land around Elland Road, with the council launching a public consultation on its future use.

The proposals include up to 2,000 new homes, a community sports arena, hotel accommodation and workspaces.

While the council insists that project will be "completely independent" from the Elland Road redevelopment, Leeds United chief business officer Morrie Eisenberg says the stadium expansion will "provide great economic benefits to the local community and will be a catalyst for a regeneration of the area".

Ina Thompson, 49, owns Graveley's fish and chip shop, located opposite the stadium with a direct view of the West Stand.

Originally from Moldova, she has been running the shop for more than 16 years.

"Even before I moved to Leeds, I was a Leeds fan," she says. "That was my love, so I'm in the right place.

"We are very busy on a matchday - we are probably the busiest business here.

"It will definitely be a great benefit for business when there are more things happening – more seats, extra shops, whatever else is proposed."

The Whites announced in December that their proposals had been given the initial green light by Leeds City Council, with those plans due to be formally ratified at Thursday's meeting.

Issues were raised at first around transport proposals, but the club have since worked with the council to rectify this and look at ways to improve roads around the stadium.

Among those considered in regards to transport and logistical planning are residents of the Heath estate, located opposite the South Stand.

Harry Best, 83, has lived on the estate for more than 40 years but, as a Leeds fan, says he is looking forward to seeing the development progress: "I can't see it affecting me much more than it's affecting me now on matchdays.

"It's busy (on matchdays), but it's just the inconvenience from 20 minutes before the end and an hour-and-a-half after the end when you can't drive up Elland Road.

"It's been like that for years so everybody here expects it. I'm not concerned at all. It does need developing for the crowds they're getting now."

As part of their December update, the club also confirmed plans to continue housing away fans in the West Stand during matches.

They faced a backlash over a previous proposal suggesting visiting fans be moved into the South Stand, which is currently occupied by home supporters only.

BBC Radio Leeds' Whites correspondent Adam Pope says this decision is key in retaining the ground's "uniquely hostile and vibrant atmosphere".

He adds: "Nobody wants a soulless bowl like West Ham United's London Stadium.

"The redevelopment of Elland Road is essential on several levels. If the team is to be successful on the pitch it requires huge income streams.

"Increasing capacity and particularly the lucrative corporate offering is integral. The new-look West Stand will be the embodiment of this."

Those thoughts are echoed by Kris, who has a season ticket in the South Stand.

He says: "I'm biased but it's the best stand in the country. Affecting that in any way would be detrimental to what Elland Road brings.

"There's definitely a risk with any team that expands that you're going to become more of a tourist attraction to fans that don't care as much about the club.

"There's always going to be cons with things like this, but the the pros are so good long-term that it just outweighs it."

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