Arsenal co-chairman Josh Kroenke has confirmed that renovation plans for the Emirates Stadium are already underway, with the club’s CEO leading the conversations.
Kroenke revealed that chief executive Richard Garlick is heading up internal discussions around potential improvements to the 20-year-old ground.
The confirmation comes after Arsenal lifted their first Premier League trophy since moving to the Emirates, marking a significant moment in the club’s modern history.
Fans have long called for improvements across several areas, including ticketing access, stadium infrastructure, concourse facilities, and the overall matchday entry experience.
Kroenke spoke candidly about his personal regret of never experiencing Highbury, expressing a desire to bring some of that venue’s character back into the current stadium.
“Rich Garlick is leading those conversations on our end right now,” Kroenke said, adding that new board members with relevant experience in stadium operations are also involved.
“They’re putting together a plan right now to renovate the Emirates. I can’t believe it’s been 20 years. My only regret [about] being in my position at Arsenal right now is that I never got to experience Highbury.”
Kroenke was keen to credit manager Mikel and the players for elevating the stadium’s atmosphere this season, while stressing that character must be preserved going forward.
“I think that’s a credit to Mikel and those players. But there’s some character that I want to make sure we’re preserving and bringing back to the ground as well.”
He outlined ambitions to deliver what he described as an elevated matchday experience, drawing on work done with facilities and teams in the United States.
“We do this stuff in the States in our facilities and our teams. We take great pride in it so I think we have a chance to come over and really give the Arsenal supporters an elevated matchday experience from where they are right now.”
Kroenke Sports Entertainment, headed by Josh’s father Stan Kroenke, previously built SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, home of the LA Rams, which is regarded as one of the best venues in the world.
SoFi Stadium is among the grounds set to host World Cup fixtures this summer, demonstrating the organisation’s track record in delivering elite sporting facilities.
However, Josh confirmed that directly applying lessons from SoFi’s construction to the Emirates renovation has not yet been decided upon by the club.
“That’s still to be determined,” he said, noting that supporter input and ensuring the stadium fits its community remain the primary concerns at this stage.
Kroenke acknowledged the frequent comparisons fans draw to Highbury’s walls and character, saying he wants those voices to shape what the renovation ultimately delivers.
“I say I want to leave it up to our supporters and people that have experienced that to really tell me what that means,” he explained, describing the process as still ongoing.
The co-chairman closed by stating his desire for the redeveloped Emirates to balance modern facilities with the spirit of traditional English football.
“Try to figure out a way to bring and preserve some of the character of old English style football as well,” he said, summarising the club’s broader vision for the project.
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