Arsenal could move to Wembley as Gunners plot to transform Emirates into biggest stadium in London

Arsenal are considering playing games at Wembley Stadium as they plot an expansion plan for the sensational stadium, according to reports.

The Gunners currently play at the 60,700 Emirates Stadium.

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But according to new plans outlined by the Telegraph, the north London team want to increase their size to more than 70,000.

Plans for expansion include changing the gradient of the stands, adapting the seating plan to accommodate more fans and potentially raising the roof.

The plan would have built up momentum this year, and it is hoped that as well as easing the club’s long waiting list for season tickets, it would also add tens of millions in annual revenue.

More than 100,000 fans are believed to be on the club’s waiting list for season tickets – which would take around 20 years to clear.

When the £390 million Emirates opened in July 2006, it was London’s largest stadium and the benchmark for new grounds.

The new Wembley opened with 90,000 seats the following year, although Arsenal remained top dog among the clubs.

However, in the last decade they have lost that title to West Ham and bitter rivals Tottenham.

The Hammers moved into the 62,500 capacity London Stadium at Upton Park in 2016.

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Meanwhile, Spurs completed construction of the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in 2019.

The £1 billion ground is currently the capital’s largest football club stadium at 62,850.

Arsenal’s latest stadium move saw them stay at Highbury as they built the Emirates.

However, a major expansion of their current home would likely mean Arsenal would have to find another venue for the games.

Playing at Wembley would see them follow in the footsteps of Tottenham – who have paid £15 million to play home games there for almost two years – as they move forward with expansion plans.

These plans saw designers take inspiration from Real Madrid’s expansion of the Bernabeu which was renovated between 2019 and 2024.

The long-term goal would also be to produce a multifunctional and digital stadium.

An estimated cost of £500 million has been touted for the investment, although Arsenal have not yet reached the point of applying for planning permission.

The club is very aware of the various legal and planning hurdles they would have to overcome with Islington Council – who have previously permitted developments above the previous 30 meter limit.

The Gunners brought in £131.7m in matchday earnings for the 2023/24 season, with £105.2m on average in 2021 and 2024.

Deloitte estimates put that at around £19m less than Manchester United and £6m less than Tottenham.