Arsenal line up lucrative Emirates Stadium deal as club plan for expansion

Arsenal are preparing for a major financial windfall as they line up a new, lucrative deal for food and drink rights at the Emirates Stadium and explore ambitious plans for expansion.

The Gunners are expected to earn an extra £10 million per season from new matchday partnerships, while long-term proposals could see the team temporarily relocate to Wembley for two years.

Arsenal’s current 20-year agreement with Delaware North – signed when the Premier League side first moved into their new home in 2006 – is set to expire next summer, opening the door to a more flexible and profitable arrangement.

A general view of the Emirates Stadium during the Premier League match between Arsenal and West Ham United. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)

Reports from The Sun have now claimed Arsenal in talks with multiple firms. It is reported that the new deal is expected to add at least £500,000 per game to matchday revenue, translating to over £10 million annually.

In the 2023-24 financial year, Arsenal posted record revenues of £616.6 million, of which £132 million came from matchday income, including ticket sales, hospitality, and in-stadium spending.

With constant Champions League football and attendances consistently at capacity, the club now view the Emirates as a key driver of sustained commercial growth. The decision to restructure the food and beverage operations is part of a wider strategy led by Kroenke Sports & Entertainment (KSE) to modernise the matchday experience and maximise earnings.

At the same time, the club is exploring long-term expansion possibilities that could see the Emirates’ capacity rise from its current 60,704 to as much as 70,000–80,000.

However, such plans would come with a heavy price tag – potentially upwards of £500 million – and might require Arsenal to temporarily play home games at Wembley Stadium for up to two seasons.

Arsenal are expected to finalise their new catering and hospitality deal before the 2026-27 season, setting up a significant financial uplift as soon as next year.

Club executives are simultaneously continuing feasibility studies on the Emirates expansion, weighing the benefits of a modest reconfiguration versus a full-scale rebuild that could necessitate a temporary move to Wembley. Any major redevelopment would require planning approval and would likely begin no earlier than 2027.