Old Trafford can hold more fans this season (Image: Getty Images)
The quest to boast the largest stadium in the Premier League continues. This season, six clubs have altered their capacities, though not all for the larger. Five clubs have official stadium capacities at the start of the 2025/26 season that differ from the previous year.
While Everton may have relocated to a cutting-edge stadium on the banks of the River Mersey, another club has added a mere six additional seats this year, and one team has even reduced its fanbase. Minor adjustments, an expansion in hospitality space, or even provisions for more television cameras can either increase or decrease a capacity. Express Sport examines some of the most significant changes made this season…
Manchester United
It is rumoured that plans are underway for the Red Devils to vacate Old Trafford by 2030. United are planning to construct a brand-new £2billion stadium capable of accommodating approximately 100,000 spectators.
However, in the interim, a slight adjustment to the capacity of their iconic current ground has been implemented this season. The minor modification has resulted in the installation of 47 additional seats.
Old Trafford previously accommodated 74,197 but now can hold 74,244 due to the small alterations, maintaining its status as the largest arena in the Premier League.
Everton
The Toffees have significantly increased their capacity by a staggering 13,355 as they’ve relocated across Liverpool.
Now calling the Hill Dickinson Stadium on the Mersey shores home, the Blues can now accommodate 52,769 fans, a considerable increase from the 39,414 that the legendary Goodison Park could hold.
The Hill Dickinson Stadium is the newest ground in the Premier League (Image: Getty Images)
Fulham
In May, the Cottagers finally unveiled their new £100million Riverside Stand to full capacity. Craven Cottage now boasts its own swimming pool, a Michelin-star chef and panoramic views over the Thames.
The project took six years to complete and faced significant delays due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The new capacity has seen Fulham’s home ground jump from 24,500 to 27,782.
Chelsea
Not all changes are on such a grand scale. While the Blues often dominate transfer windows, they’re still lagging behind when it comes to the size of their stadium.
This season, Stamford Bridge can accommodate fewer fans. Chelsea’s home has seen a decrease in capacity by 129, meaning it’s dropped from 40,173 to 40,044 due to minor adjustments.
Craven Cottage has expanded this season (Image: MI News/NurPhoto)
Aston Villa
Villa are currently renovating Villa Park. The £100million project is centred around rebuilding the North Stand.
Villa aim to finish the redevelopment of the stand by the second half of 2027, increasing the number of available seats from around 5,000 to 12,000. There will also be smaller upgrades to the other three stands, which Villa claim will take the stadium’s total capacity to over 50,000.
However, last season saw Villa add nearly 300 more seats as part of several updates at the ground, increasing the capacity from 42,918 to 43,205.
St. James’ Park has added just six seats this season (Image: MI News/NurPhoto)
Newcastle United
Newcastle are still vying to become one of the Premier League’s top clubs after a few years that saw them reach the Champions League and win the Carabao Cup. And they have expanded St. James’ Park from 52,258 to 52,264 – an increase of six seats.
The Magpies now face a decision whether to expand the current ground on the or construct a new state-of-the-art stadium on nearby Leazes Park.
Newcastle’s affluent Saudi backers PIF reportedly still harbour ambitions of relocating the club to a massive 70,000-seater stadium. However, for now, they will have to make do with those six added seats.