Arsenal back targeted Emirates upgrades over major expansion after agreeing Topps deal
Arsenal have ruled out a large-scale Emirates Stadium redevelopment, favouring upgrades to hospitality, retail and supporter facilities while reviewing their wider business operations.
Arsenal will pursue a series of improvements to the Emirates Stadium rather than a major capacity expansion, directing investment towards commercial facilities, supporter accommodation and the experience of visiting the ground.The approach follows work by a group established in 2024 under chief executive Richard Garlick to assess whether the club could increase the stadium’s 60,704 capacity.Arsenal told supporters: “We shared a commitment to the continued evolution of Emirates Stadium, rather than a huge-scale masterplan, building on improvement we have made to date in partnership with our catering partner, Legends, the introduction of safe standing (this season in the Clock End, and next season in the North Bank), improving hospitality and retail experiences, and upgrading visitor experiences.”The announcement sets out a programme covering both supporter areas and income-generating services, extending the work carried out with catering partner Legends without committing to a comprehensive reconstruction.Safe standing is being introduced in stages, with provision in the Clock End this season followed by the North Bank next season, while hospitality, shops and visitor facilities are also priorities.Earlier reporting had identified Wembley as a possible temporary home during construction, an option that would have required Arsenal to leave the Emirates for a period.Manager Mikel Arteta is understood to have been concerned about the consequences of relocating, while the club reportedly chose not to seek UEFA EURO 2028 hosting status when redevelopment remained under consideration.Alongside the stadium assessment, owners Kroenke Sports & Entertainment are examining aspects of Arsenal’s business, with Boston Consulting Group understood to be advising on operational improvements.Garlick is supervising the ongoing review within the club, with its principal focus reportedly on activities outside the football department and opportunities to operate more efficiently.The work has not been presented as a confirmed redundancy programme, and there is no indication that job losses will necessarily follow for Arsenal’s approximately 800 employees.The decision places emphasis on improving the existing venue’s offering as clubs increasingly use stadium facilities to generate income beyond standard ticket sales.Tottenham Hotspur’s newer 62,850-seat ground provides a nearby example of a venue serving multiple markets, hosting NFL games and concerts alongside football since opening in 2019.Arsenal’s own matchday income has reportedly doubled over five seasons to more than £150m a year, with Champions League participation and additional corporate hospitality contributing to that growth.The Arsenal Supporters’ Trust said the club had assured it that they had no current intention to reduce ordinary seating or move supporters to create more corporate places.That assurance accompanies a programme focused on developing existing facilities, with the North Bank safe-standing introduction scheduled for next season as the next stage of the supporter accommodation changes.Arsenal have also agreed a multi-year global licensing partnership with Topps, appointing the company as their official trading cards and stickers licensee under an exclusive agreement covering cards, stickers and trading card games.The next release will be the 2026–27 Arsenal Collectors Tin, which will be sold at The Armoury and through Arsenal Direct, adding a new product to the club’s stadium retail and online merchandise offering.