Arsenal plan big stadium expansion

Arsenal are planning a major expansion of the Emirates that could force them to move their home matches temporarily to Wembley Stadium.

Detailed work has gone into a potential overhaul of the north London stadium that would increase Arsenal’s current 60,700-capacity to beyond 70,000. It would restore the club’s standing as the biggest ground in London, overtaking West Ham United and rivals Tottenham Hotspur.

It is understood the club have options to change the gradient of the stands and can also adapt the seating plan to fit in more fans. The outer bowl, however, would remain similar in appearance as the majority of developments being assessed would come inside the ground.

Arsenal, though, will be well aware that Real Madrid doubled their matchday income following their recent upgrade to the Bernabéu, which generated €241m (£210m) in the most recent accounting year. Industry experts believe that a comparably steep year-on-year increase is feasible.

Arsenal are restricted by what is a 17-acre site in a largely residential community, with the Victoria and Piccadilly Tube lines and several stations nearby. Great Northern train lines also run alongside the ground. Discussions with architects have been positive about the potential to expand within the existing footprint.

Since the Emirates was built, Islington council has permitted some building developments above the previous 30-metre limit, meaning that there could be some flexibility over literally raising the roof. Architectural sources estimate that, even by adding one row, the capacity would increase by around 1,000.

Arsenal’s seating arrangements are also more spacious than most grounds – meaning a reconfiguration within the same area could yield more seats – while the sloping elliptical roof, which was shaped to help airflow and sunlight could also be modified. Additional capacity would include more corporate as well as standard-priced seating.