Manchester United learned today that local councils in Manchester have agreed to work with the club in their plans for Old Trafford. Whether the club will build a whole new stadium, or just renovate the current one, remains to be seen however the ground is in need of serious work. With this news, it is time to look at which Premier League stadiums are in need of a revamp.

Manchester United

Obviously, Manchester United is first on the list. Opened in 1910, Old Trafford is the club’s third home after North Road and Bank Street. It has undergone numerous renovations which include expansions and even rebuilding much of the main stand after World War Two. It has a rich history and is one of the most iconic stadiums in the world.

Old Trafford update 🏟️

The ongoing project to regenerate the Theatre of Dreams will also drive development in the local area.#MUFC

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) September 9, 2024

In recent times, the stadium has fallen into disrepair. The roofs of the stands barely provide fans with any shelter from the elements and it has become a bit of a running joke among rival fans that it is no longer fit for a team as historic and successful as Manchester United. The plans for new work to be done are in the making, but still a very long way away.

West Ham United

Controversial, but the London Stadium needs something done to make it feel more like a football stadium and less like a soulless bowl. Compared to Upton Park, which was generally considered to be one of the best Premier League stadiums, the London Stadium has no history and no real appeal.

Originally used to host athletics in the 2012 Olympics, the lease for the London Stadium was purchased by West Ham and they moved into the ground at the start of the 2016/17 season. Unlike most older stadiums, the fans are a good distance from the pitch which is down to the original purpose of the stadium. There are no plans to renovate or change the stadium in any way and there also seems to be very few complaints by fans about how bad the stadium is.

Crystal Palace

Selhurst Park was opened in 1924, at which time it only had one stand. It has been the home of Crystal Palace for 100 years and has long been the subject of ridicule by visiting fans for how poor the view is from the away section.

The latest images of the Main Stand development at Selhurst Park on the KSS Group website are extremely impressive. pic.twitter.com/jIaoh19RlG

— HLTCO (@HLTCO) July 14, 2023

Earlier this year, Croydon Council reapproved plans for the Main Stand to be extended, increasing the capacity from 25,000 to 34,000. The plans were originally approved in 2018 but work was delayed. The competition date has been set for the summer of 2027, and preliminary work is already underway.

Chelsea

Chelsea have been at Stamford Bridge for the whole of their history, so it seems unlikely that they will ever move. There have been plans, under both Roman Abramovic and Todd Boehly, to renovate the stadium and expand its capacity as it falls short of its main competitors at the top of the Premier League.

In 2022, Boehly appointed an American architect to oversee future development of the stadium, but as of yet, there have been no plans to make any changes. It is one of the most popular grounds in the country and there would be major fan opposition if Boehly suggested a move.

AFC Bournemouth

With Luton’s relegation last season, Bournemouth have the smallest ground in the Premier League, with a capacity of 11,307. The ground was opened in 1910, but was completely rebuilt in 2001, with the pitch rotated nearly 90 degrees. Until 2013, the stadium had just three stands.

79-year-old American billionaire Bill Foley is making huge investments in Bournemouth with a £90 million new stadium and £32 million training ground 🤑

“I have big ambitions for this team, and I’m running out of time. So I have to make sure I do things quickly and efficiently.” pic.twitter.com/hnMABvlZq2

— Anthony (@AnthonyKyaw) May 4, 2024

With their new American owner, Bournemouth have started plans to build a new stadium on the site of their current training ground, however work can only begin once their new training ground is complete early next year. Bill Foley, Bournemouth’s owner, has stated that the new ground will increase capacity to around 18,000 with the option to expand to 22,000. Dean Court will be remembered fondly by the home fans, but certainly not by the away fans because of how small the ground is.