Anfield Road Stand Expansion: A Detailed Overview

Liverpool Football Club has embarked on an ambitious project to expand the Anfield Road Stand. This initiative marks a significant development in the club’s history, enhancing the stadium’s capacity and fan experience.

Originally, Liverpool and Fenway Sports Group (FSG) envisioned adding 4,000 seats to the Anfield Road Stand, following the successful expansion of the Main Stand. However, this plan, which expired in August 2019, was soon replaced with a more ambitious proposal: an expansion of 7,000 seats. Officially greenlit in June 2021, the project commenced in September of the same year.

Challenges and Delays

The journey to expansion hasn’t been without its hurdles. Initial plans slated the completion for the current season, but July brought news of unforeseen delays. The Buckingham Group, initially tasked with the construction, faced financial difficulties and subsequently entered administration in August 2023. This development halted progress, leading to a temporary reduction in Anfield’s capacity and a significant financial impact for the club. Liverpool later appointed Rayner Rowen to resume the project, overcoming the summer’s setbacks.

The Opening Milestone

Despite the challenges, Liverpool is set to partially open the upper tier of the Anfield Road Stand on December 6th, coinciding with the high-profile match against Manchester United. This event will not only increase Anfield’s capacity to 57,000 but also break the club’s Premier League attendance record. However, the stand will not be fully operational until January 2024, when the stadium is expected to reach a capacity of 60,000.

Record-Breaking Aspirations

Sunday’s match will surpass the previous Premier League attendance record of 53,373, set in a match against Cardiff City in 2018. Yet, the all-time league attendance record of 58,757, set in a 1949 match against Chelsea, remains unbroken. The completion of the Anfield Road Stand expansion next year is poised to surpass this historic figure. Furthermore, the club’s overall attendance record of 61,905, set in 1952 against Wolves, stands as a testament to Anfield’s storied history and the club’s ongoing commitment to growth and excellence.

Anfield Road Stand: Essential Figures

• Planned capacity post-expansion: 61,000
• Capacity before full opening: 57,000
• Previous capacity: 54,000
• Project cost: £80 million (source: The Athletic)
• Key timelines:
  • Initial proposal: August 2019
  • Approval: June 2021
  • Construction start: September 2021
  • Buckingham Group administration: August 2023
  • Liverpool taking control: September 2023
  • Partial opening: December 2023
  • Full opening anticipated: January 2024