Arsenal Considers Wembley Move During Emirates Stadium Expansion

Arsenal are planining a £500m Emirates stadium expansion that could push capacity beyond 70,000, with Wembley tipped as their temporary home ground.

Arsenal are exploring a temporary relocation to Wembley Stadium while the Emirates Stadium undergoes a £500 million expansion, according to report from The Telegraph. The ambitious project could boost capacity beyond 70,000 and restore Arsenal’s status as London’s largest football venue.

Opened in 2006, the Emirates Stadium currently holds 60,704 fans. However, rival clubs such as Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United now boast larger grounds. With more than 100,000 supporters on the season ticket waiting list, Arsenal see expansion as essential for both financial and fan engagement reasons.

Between 2021 and 2024, the Gunners averaged €121 million in gate receipts — €7 million less than Tottenham and €22 million behind Manchester United. Inspired by Real Madrid’s Bernabéu renovation, which doubled matchday income to €241 million, Arsenal’s leadership believes a similar leap is possible.

The timing is symbolic too, coinciding with the 20th anniversary of Arsenal’s move from Highbury to the Emirates.

Inside the £500m Emirates Stadium Expansion

The redevelopment plan focuses on reconfiguring seating layouts and adjusting stand gradients to add more capacity without drastically altering the stadium’s exterior.

Much of the construction work will take place inside the bowl, minimizing external disruption. The total cost could reach £500 million, and Otto Maly, a new non-executive director with experience on major projects like SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, plan to oversee the process.

Because of the project’s scale, Arsenal may need to vacate the Emirates during construction. Wembley Stadium, with its 90,000-seat capacity, has emerged as the leading option for Arsenal’s temporary home matches.

While Arsenal stayed at Highbury during their initial stadium transition, the extent of this redevelopment means relocation is far more likely this time.

The Strategy Behind the Move

The expansion aligns with Kroenke Sports & Entertainment’s long-term vision to enhance Arsenal’s commercial strength and global profile. With Premier League clubs competing fiercely in matchday revenue and stadium innovation, Arsenal’s plans signal a clear intent to keep pace.

Recent boardroom changes — including the exit of Tim Lewis and the addition of infrastructure experts — further highlight a shift toward strategic, long-term development.

Formal planning submissions are expected soon. Early discussions with architects have been positive, and construction could begin within a year if approval is granted.

For supporters, this could mean temporary matches at Wembley, but the reward will be a modernized, larger Emirates Stadium fit for Arsenal’s future ambitions.

Want more Arsenal updates? Visit our homepage.

All links on ArsenalTalks Shop are affiliate links. We may earn commissions that support our content—at no extra cost to you. Read our full Affiliate Disclosure for more information.