Arsenal are planning an ambitious expansion of the Emirates Stadium which could temporarily force them to relocate home games to Wembley during construction, according to recent reports. The north London club is exploring ways to increase capacity from the current ~60,700 to beyond 70,000. The move would restore Arsenal’s claim as the largest club ground in London, overtaking Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United.
Detailed work is underway. Architects have examined options such as reconfiguring seating layouts, altering stand gradients, and renovating internal structures to fit more spectators. However, outward expansion is constrained due to the stadium’s tight footprint and surrounding infrastructure. Arsenal’s co-owners and internal teams are said to believe the exterior appearance should remain largely intact, with most changes happening inside the bowl of the stadium.
One of the major challenges is transport infrastructure. On matchdays, the nearby Holloway Road Tube station already struggles with capacity, and additional spectators would increase the strain. The club would likely need to collaborate with Islington Council and Transport for London to upgrade access and public transit options.
Financially, the project is expected to cost in the hundreds of millions of pounds. Estimates suggest a price tag around £500 million depending on how extensive the work is. Despite the large investment, supporters point to the potential revenue gains—both from selling more tickets and improving matchday experiences—as justification. The need is compounded by a season-ticket waiting list reportedly exceeding 100,000 fans.
Because of the scale of renovation, some displacement is likely. Wembley Stadium is being considered as a temporary venue for Arsenal home games while the stadium work is carried out. This would mirror what other London clubs have done in the past during stadium transitions.
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The timeline remains unclear. Internal discussions and feasibility studies are happening now, but neither planning permission nor construction has officially begun. Arsenal appear to be targeting a start date sometime after the 2026-27 season, allowing time for design, approvals, and funding.
If realized, the expanded Emirates would boost Arsenal’s standing in stadium size in London, increase matchday revenue, and offer more fans access to home matches. But the complexity and cost mean that fans may have to wait—and possibly travel to Wembley in the interim.