Arsenal Football Club is preparing for a major expansion of the Emirates Stadium, a move that could temporarily shift their home matches to Wembley Stadium. The renovation aims to raise the stadium’s capacity from 60,700 to over 70,000 seats, restoring its status as London’s largest club ground.
The project marks a significant investment in modern stadium design, revenue growth, and fan experience. Construction plans are still under review, but discussions around design, logistics, and planning approvals are already underway.
Project factsheet
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Project Name: Emirates Stadium Expansion
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Location: Holloway, North London, United Kingdom
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Client: Arsenal Football Club
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Proposed Capacity: Over 70,000 seats (up from 60,700)
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Estimated Cost: Around £500 million
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Expected Temporary Venue: Wembley Stadium
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Design Features: Modified seating gradient and internal structural upgrades
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Completion Timeline: To be confirmed, pending approvals
Project overview
Arsenal’s management is accelerating plans to expand the Emirates Stadium, reflecting the club’s ambition to meet the growing demand from its global fanbase. The redevelopment is expected to enhance comfort, capacity, and overall matchday experience.
According to reports, the expansion will mainly focus on internal works rather than altering the outer bowl. The design team plans to adjust the seating arrangement and change the gradient of stands to accommodate more fans. This method allows for an increase in capacity while preserving the stadium’s iconic look.
Expansion of the Emirates Stadium
To allow uninterrupted construction, Arsenal may relocate their home fixtures to Wembley Stadium. The national stadium is seen as the most practical option due to its proximity and seating capacity. Tottenham Hotspur used Wembley as a temporary venue during the construction of their £1.2 billion stadium, paying approximately £15 million in rent.
Arsenal have previous experience playing at Wembley, having hosted Champions League matches there in the late 1990s and enjoying several FA Cup triumphs between 2014 and 2020.
Economic and fan impact
The Emirates expansion project is expected to generate significant economic benefits for both Arsenal and the local community. Increasing capacity will help reduce the season ticket waiting list, which currently exceeds 100,000 fans.
Additionally, the upgraded stadium will boost matchday revenues and help the club comply with Profit and Sustainability (PSR) and Financial Fair Play (FFP) regulations. This financial improvement aligns with Arsenal’s long-term vision to remain competitive at both domestic and European levels.
Construction leadership and design influence
While the lead construction firm has not been announced, Arsenal’s owners, the Kroenke family, bring vast experience in stadium development. Their portfolio includes the $4.1 billion SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, one of the most advanced sports facilities in the world.
Industry experts expect the Emirates project to follow similar design principles—focusing on sustainability, modern amenities, and an enhanced fan experience.
Next steps
The club has not yet applied for planning permission but remains mindful of regulatory requirements. Once approvals are granted, construction is expected to begin in phases to minimize disruption.
This expansion reflects a growing trend in modern sports architecture—balancing tradition, fan engagement, and commercial growth. If completed, the Emirates Stadium will stand as one of Europe’s most advanced and fan-friendly football arenas.
Europe is home to many of the world’s most ambitious and technically advanced sports arenas. From Spain’s Camp Nou to England’s Wembley and Germany’s Allianz Arena, these structures set global benchmarks in design, capacity, and construction innovation.
Arsenal’s planned Emirates Stadium expansion aims to follow in this tradition, combining architectural excellence, enhanced fan experience, and sustainable engineering. Once completed, it could stand proudly among Europe’s top largest and most modern stadiums.
