Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.86
Elland Road Leeds, England LS11 0ES
Year Opened: 1897 Capacity: 37,890
Marching on Together
Elland Road is home to one of the most famous clubs in England, Leeds United. The Yorkshire side have fallen from grace in recent years, but in the past, they were considered one of the biggest names in football and were most successful under Don Revie in the 1960s and 1970s. The club’s motto and famous chant is Marching on Together, and the song can be heard reverberating around every corner of the stadium on match days before kick-off. Elland Road was built in 1887, and has been the home of the Whites since they were formed in 1919. It is the 13th-largest football stadium in England, and was used as one of the eight venues in Euro 96.
Food & Beverage 3
Elland Road is home to the usual matchday fare including pies, pasties, and sausage rolls. The bars in the stadium are usually rammed before kick-off and at halftime, and it can often take a while to get served. The area isn’t great for options either, with only a few pubs and fast food outlets scattered around nearby.
Atmosphere 5
Elland Road is renowned for its atmosphere, and has frequently maxed out its capacity of 37,890 in the past. Despite playing in the second tier of English football, the club still records some of the highest attendance figures in the country. In the 2017-18 campaign, the Whites had the second-best attendance record in the division of 31,521, which was just behind Aston Villa in top spot on 32,097. The atmosphere is better than it has been in years in the current competition, as Leeds are well-placed to win promotion this time out. As of 14th of December, they are 7/4 with Betway to win the league. The fans are enjoying the good times under manager Marcelo Bielsa, and the atmosphere within Elland Road reflects this.
Neighborhood 3
Elland Road is situated in the area of Beeston, not too far from Leeds city center. It’s a quiet neighborhood with a mix of residential houses and businesses. There are no hotels right next to the ground, but there are plenty to choose from within the bustling northern metropolis.
Fans 5
Leeds fans are renowned for being some of the most passionate and dedicated in the country. They have been through hell since the club was relegated from the Premier League at the end of the 2003-04 season and fell as low as League One after finding themselves in financial turmoil. According to 1Sports1, Leeds have the seventh-best fan base in England, and that is attributed to their fiery northern mentality.
Needless to say, they have a number of strong rivalries with other clubs in the country. When they were in the top flight, Leeds’ main conflict was with Manchester United, described as the Roses Rivalry. It dates all the way back to the War of the Roses of the 15th Century, with the Elland Road outfit representing the white rose of Yorkshire and the Old Trafford club representing the red rose of Lancashire. Another one of Leeds’ biggest rivalries at that time was with Chelsea, who play their home games at Stamford Bridge in London.
Access 4
It is fairly easy to get to Elland Road on match days, and if you are travelling from the city center all you need to do is hop on buses numbered 51, 53, or 55. The journey from Leeds train station takes about 20 minutes.
Return on Investment 3
Seeing a Leeds game isn’t cheap, in fact they are one of the most expensive teams to watch in the Championship. The highest ticket for an adult is £39, while the cheapest is £26 in the Family Stand. In recent years, the return on investment hasn’t been great as the side have struggled. But, this season, fans are being treated to some good quality football under Bielsa.
Extras 4
A match day programme can be bought at the ground. The other bonus is the massive history of the stadium. This is English football at one of its most iconic venues. The place is dripping with charm and is intimidating for visiting clubs. When it is at capacity, this is indeed a special place for the game.
Final Thoughts
A visit to Elland Road should be on the bucket list of any football fan. The stadium is up there with the likes of Anfield for atmosphere, and the fans are what makes this place truly special. Perhaps soon they will be back in the top flight as well. If they do go up, it will be one spectacular party, that’s for sure.
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