Arsenal announce plans to increase Emirates capacity next season

Arsenal have announced they will increase the capacity of the Emirates Stadium by adding more hospitality seats.

The club will start a two-stage renovation project which will take place over the summers of 2018 and 2019 to add an extra 780 seats to their 'Club Level' areas.

Once completed, the stadium will hold over 60,600 spectators, bringing it closer to the capacity when the Gunners originally relocated from Highbury in 2006.

The capacity has dropped since then to comply with health and safety legislation as well as an increase in access for disabled supporters.

"Arsenal will be developing and renovating areas of Emirates Stadium over the next two years to help bring capacity back in line with its original figure from 2006," a statement read. "Capacity has been reduced in recent seasons due to safety requirements and improvements to facilities for disabled supporters.

"Next May work will begin on adding approximately 780 extra seats to Club Level and will involve adding an extra row to the front of Club Level taking capacity to just over 60,600."

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Construction will be completed in two stages during the summers of 2018 and 2019. The club will be in contact with all club level members to inform them if and how this will affect them.

With attendance figures in competitions such as the Carabao Cup and Europa League lower than Premier League fixtures this season, the move will not add additional capacity for regular seats within the stadium.

Tottenham's brand-new stadium, which is set to open next summer, will hold the edge in overall capacity with the club's new home set to hold 61,559.