Arsenal are reportedly considering plans to expand the Emirates Stadium beyond its current 60,700 capacity, a development that could see them temporarily relocate to Wembley Stadium.
According to the Telegraph, the Gunners are exploring this ambitious move as they approach the 20th anniversary of their transition from Highbury, which took place on May 7, 2006, following their 4-2 win over Wigan Athletic to end the 2005-06 season.
If the project goes ahead, Arsenal could follow the path of London rivals Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United, who both played home games at Wembley Stadium during their respective stadium redevelopments.
At present, the Emirates ranks as the fifth-largest stadium in the Premier League, sitting behind Manchester United’s Old Trafford (74,879), West Ham’s London Stadium (62,850), Tottenham’s Tottenham Hotspur Stadium (62,500), and Liverpool’s Anfield (61,276).
Emirates to surpass 70,000 capacity
According to The Telegraph, Arsenal plans to expand the Emirates beyond its current 70,000-seat capacity, making it the second-largest stadium in the Premier League and the largest in London.
The proposed expansion comes as part of the club’s long-term ambition to boost matchday income and accommodate their ever-growing fanbase.
Plans under review suggest that Arsenal could alter the gradient of the stands and redesign the seating layout to accommodate more spectators, while keeping the outer bowl largely unchanged. Most of the construction and modifications would take place inside the existing structure, ensuring the stadium maintains its iconic look and feel.
A larger capacity could generate tens of millions in extra annual revenue and help ease the overwhelming season ticket demand, with the waiting list currently exceeding 100,000 fans.
Arsenal assessing different options within the current 17-acre site
The Emirates is built on a 17-acre site, which sits tightly in a residential area bordered by Tube lines and the Great Northern railway.
While the location limits major structural expansion, the club is already working with architectural experts on how to make the most of what they have.
Since the Emirates opened in 2006, Islington Council has relaxed previous restrictions on building height, meaning Arsenal could technically “raise the roof” if plans progress.
London Mayor issues caution over Emirates expansion plans
Arsenal’s plans to expand the Emirates Stadium have received a note of caution from London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan, according to football.london.
While he acknowledged the appeal of the project, Khan highlighted that the club will face several “obstacles” in pushing capacity beyond 70,000, including issues with the local council, surrounding residents and wider planning requirements.
Speaking during a visit to Wembley Stadium for his Violence Reduction Unit initiative, the Mayor emphasised that, although stadium expansion makes commercial sense, gaining approval for such projects is rarely straightforward.
With the Gunners committed to pursuing the expansion, it remains to be seen how the plans will progress and how the club navigates the challenges ahead.
FGG Says
The development highlights Arsenal’s growing commercial strength and ambition to match their expanding global profile.
Successfully managing the Emirates expansion while addressing planning and local considerations will be crucial, and the way the club handles this process could shape both the pace of the project and its long-term impact.