As Leicester City work hard to improve on the pitch and challenge once again for Champions League football, off the field the ambitious club continues to look forward. October saw the Premier League outfit make a formal submission of its plans to expand the King Power Stadium, as they look to increase the capacity to 40,000.
Leicester Ready to Compete With Giants
It’s an exciting time for the East Midlands outfit, as last season’s FA Cup winners look to expand on a ground that has been their home since the summer of 2002. With demand for tickets high, for a side that are regularly competing for European football, the club have set out plans to expand their capacity by 8,000 seats.
This expansion follows the success of The Premier League as a whole. It’s a brand that continues to grow, with the competition being seen as arguably the best in the world. What’s more, the brand has expanded into other areas of entertainment, from computer games and TV to sports betting. The latter is gaining momentum, with those unfamiliar with betting on football accessing resources like Mark Langdon’s guide on the subject and learning how to back teams like Leicester in the future. The Foxes are certainly competing at a high level in the English top-flight, and they are determined to compete as one of the best matchday experiences in the country.
Demonstrating the success of the side, the new plans for the stadium submitted also outline a proposal to build a new business centre and hotel for fans to potentially stay at around matchdays. A new flagship store is being proposed, along with an events arena and even residential flats. The expansion of the current East Stand will be one of the most eye-catching aspects of the development, with its new structure dominating the other three stands. Approval of the new expansion would see Leicester’s home become the 10th largest of the current 20 clubs in the Premier League.
Foxes Now Playing the Waiting Game
The Leicester hierarchy and supporters will now have to be patient, with a decision on approval from the local council expected to be made next year. In the meantime, all that can be done is make sure the Foxes are performing on the field. Brendan Rodgers’ side endured a tough spell over September and early October as they managed just one win in seven outings in all competitions. The international break seemed to come at the right time, and post the two-week hiatus, Leicester saw an upturn in fortunes. A 4-2 win in the Premier League against Manchester United, was followed by a 4-3 win over Spartak Moscow in the Europa League and a 2-1 win at Brentford.
All the focus for the moment will be on trying to build on that winning momentum as the club gears up towards the festive period. However, fans will be forgiven for having one eye on the future and on what their future home at the King Power Stadium could look like in years to come.