Leeds handed Forest opener after request as Elland Road works hit pre-season | OneFootball

Leeds United will begin 2026/27 away, a scheduling move sought to maximise the Elland Road West Stand rebuild, with help from the Premier League.

According to yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk, planning permission for phase one of a two-stand project was granted earlier this year, targeting a capacity of around 53,000, and the West Stand will not be open to supporters for any pre-season friendlies at Elland Road this summer.

Builders moved in as soon as last season’s 2025/26 home fixtures ended. Since the Brighton game, the old ticket office and LUTV studio have been demolished, floodlights removed and banqueting suites knocked down.

To extend the work window without supporters in that area, Leeds asked to start away. They were handed an opener at Nottingham Forest.

The schedule gives an extra week before supporters return for Brentford at Elland Road on August 29. Leeds will also finish the campaign away at Crystal Palace.

The Whites are close to finalising and announcing a pre-season friendly with Bundesliga side RB Leipzig, a fixture planned for months. Red Bull are a boardroom partner of owners 49ers Enterprises and a club sponsor, and their logo appears on the front of Leeds kits.

Source: yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk