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Elland Road expansion hint dropped as Leeds United chief speaks out Work has been visibly progressing as Leeds United look to make full use of the summer off‑season before the Premier League gets underway on August 21 Leeds United chairman Paraag Marathe has hinted that the type of redevelopment already underway at Elland Road could also be replicated at Rangers, after outlining potential expansion work being explored at Ibrox. The American businessman also has significant involvement behind the scenes at Rangers, who are similarly owned by 49ers Enterprises. Work on the Elland Road expansion is already progressing at pace, with major redevelopment of the West Stand having begun in June. Enabling works have been underway since planning approval was granted in January, and full construction started just hours after the final whistle of Leeds' last home Premier League game of the season against Brighton on May 17. Marathe has now suggested that Rangers could follow a similar path, outlining early plans during a shareholder meeting on Monday. He confirmed that the Scottish Premiership club have commissioned a survey, feasibility study and architectural assessment to explore ways of increasing capacity with minimal disruption. One option being examined is lowering the pitch - a move he says could add between 5,000 and 6,000 seats. "We did a survey last year. We've got a consultant to do a feasibility study and we've got an architect to work out if the plans can be done in the least disruptive way," Marathe said. "One proposal is to lower the pitch which would provide 5000/6000 additional seats. We don't want to distract. "This is still a football club. Ibrox is there for Rangers football matches. It's not a carnival. Any thing we do is to make fans louder during games. We're going through the proposals and will unveil them soon. We need to make sure we maintain the electricity of the atmosphere within Ibrox. That gives us a competitive advantage and we can't do anything that makes the place a couple of decibels quieter." Meanwhile, outside Elland Road, the ticket office has been demolished, and the away changing rooms, security hub and banqueting suite have all been cleared as part of the early redevelopment phase. The West Stand's capacity will rise from 8,000 to 17,750, though the project is not expected to be finished until late 2028. The new structure will extend significantly back into the car park behind the stand. A temporary hospitality facility has also been built behind the North Stand to accommodate guests normally housed in the West Stand. It is due to be fully fitted out in time for the 2026/27 season and will remain in place throughout the redevelopment. Leeds issued a fresh update last month confirming that work is progressing at pace. In a club statement, they explained that, with the support of the families of Christopher Loftus and Kevin Speight, the old changing rooms in Fullerton Car Park which featured a tribute mural and had been derelict since the move to Thorp Arch, have now been taken down. FOLLOW OUR LUFC FACEBOOK PAGE! Latest news, analysis and more on our Leeds United FB page The full stadium project is expected to run until around 2030. Most of the heavy construction will be scheduled for summer periods and international breaks, with Marathe keen to avoid reducing existing seating wherever possible. Even so, he has acknowledged that supporters in the West Stand, including hospitality guests, will face some disruption, with hospitality temporarily relocated outside the North Stand. Marathe previously said: "No doubt there'll be some disruptions here and there, whether it's bathrooms or where they get [tickets]. I know where we are up in the chairman's area, there's going to be some disruptions as well. It's all by design because we're trying not to compromise or sacrifice seats during games during the season. "It's all being done over a sort of a longer period of time so that we keep as many fans in their seats during matches. So there will be disruptions and probably some annoyances. Hopefully everybody can just bear with us as we get through."