Arsenal are reportedly weighing the possibility of expanding the Emirates Stadium ahead of the 20th anniversary of their move from Highbury, with several top architects already indicating keen interest in the project.
According to TBR Football, renowned American architect Dan Meis, the creative mind who spearheaded Everton’s new Hill Dickinson Stadium, has expressed interest in working with the London-based outfit on the redevelopment.
Meis told the outlet he would “love to talk” to Arsenal about the Emirates masterplan, adding that it is always valuable for the top brass of football clubs to hear different design perspectives.
The architect’s work on Everton’s 52,769-capacity Hill Dickinson Stadium has enjoyed rave reviews since the facility was opened, especially the modern bowl design, and the fact that the ground has been pencilled as one of the venues that will host some Euro 2028 fixtures.
Dan Meis commends Stan Kroenke’s ambitious vision
One reason Meis is eager to lead Arsenal’s Emirates expansion is his admiration for owner Stan Kroenke, whose ambitious projects he has long respected.
Meis recalled his experience in Los Angeles when SoFi Stadium – home of Kroenke’s LA Rams in the NFL – was first conceived, while he was working on a competing development nearby.
The architect said Kroenke’s determination to bring the NFL back to Los Angeles showed his intent to create something extraordinary and forward-thinking on a global scale.
Meis described SoFi Stadium as one of the world’s most striking sports venues, praising Kroenke’s bold vision and commitment to redefining modern stadium design.
Arsenal ‘leaning towards’ 70,000+ Emirates expansion instead of 80,000 dream
Earlier reports claimed Arsenal were exploring an ambitious plan to add nearly 20,000 seats to their current 60,704-capacity Emirates Stadium.
However, fresh updates suggest the club will instead opt for a more modest expansion to just over 70,000 seats, which would still make the Emirates the Premier League’s second-largest ground.
The project is expected to cost around £500m, with reports indicating Wembley could serve as Arsenal’s temporary home during the redevelopment period.
Latest Emirates expansion details
According to Arsenal reporter Alex Howell on the BBC, the club has formed a committee to discuss several ways that the stadium can be expanded.
However, he reveals that the conversation is still at a discussion point, with no concrete action plan in place at this time.
FIFA final at Emirates adds fresh context to Arsenal stadium plans
Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium has been handed another landmark assignment after FIFA confirmed it will stage the final of the inaugural Women’s Champions Cup on February 1, 2026.
As confirmed on the club’s website, the north London venue will host both the third-place playoff and the final itself, placing the Emirates at the centre of the competition’s closing stages.
London will stage the decisive phase of the new tournament, with the semi-finals split between the Emirates and Brentford’s GTech Community Stadium.
Hosting a FIFA final further underlines the stadium’s ability to accommodate major international events, strengthening the case for long-term investment.
With Arsenal Women already playing all league fixtures at the Emirates, the latest development adds practical context to ongoing discussions about the ground’s next phase.
FGG Says
Meis’s interest in Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium project adds real weight to the club’s redevelopment ambitions, as his global experience and track record of delivering modern, fan-focused venues make him an ideal candidate to elevate the Emirates to a new level.
Arsenal is already one of the top football clubs in the world, and the Emirates Stadium is one of the most iconic venues in global football, but an expansion of the facility will engender their resolve to remain at the zenith of English and European football.