PSV have moved closer to their ambitious plans to expand the Philips Stadion to a capacity of 55,000, with a new agreement set to secure the club’s long-term future at its historic home until at least 2077.

As reported by Eindhovens Dagblad, the Eindhoven municipal executive approved a new zoning plan this week and submitted it to the city council, which is scheduled to vote on the proposal on December 15. Councillors will also consider a separate package outlining long-term financial arrangements between the municipality and the reigning Dutch champions.

A key element of the proposals is an extension of PSV’s ground lease for the land beneath the Philips Stadion and the De Herdgang training complex. The existing agreement, due to expire in 2051, is set to be extended by 26 years.

The development represents a significant step towards PSV’s long-standing ambition to transform their stadium while remaining at the site where the club’s history began.

Under the proposed agreement, PSV’s annual ground lease payment will be fixed at €2.655 million until 2077, an increase of approximately €200,000 on the current amount.

Eindhoven alderman Stijn Steenbakkers explained why the zoning plan was being brought before the city council despite approval not being strictly necessary.

“Given that this is such a politically sensitive and major issue, we decided to bring it before them anyway,” Steenbakkers said.

PSV general manager Marcel Brands confirmed that the ground lease figure had been determined through valuations intended to reflect market standards.

However, he stressed that the agreement does not guarantee that the stadium redevelopment will proceed. The club must still finalise its financing and complete the detailed designs before making a definitive commitment.

PSV have estimated that the entire expansion project will cost approximately €400 million. The club intends to cover around half of that sum through its own resources and contributions from partners, leaving approximately €200 million to be secured externally.

Brands confirmed that discussions with potential financing partners are continuing, with the club determined to ensure that the investment does not undermine its ability to compete on the pitch.

“We are still in discussions with several parties regarding this,” he said.

“Our goal is to structure the financing in a way that does not come at the expense of our football operations. That is, and remains, our core business. First and foremost, we want to be a successful football club that wins trophies.”

The financial arrangements are therefore central to the project, with PSV needing to balance their long-term infrastructure ambitions against the demands of maintaining a competitive squad.

Steenbakkers believes the proposed ground lease extension offers stability for both PSV and the municipality.

“This fifty-year option emerged as the best solution for all parties involved. The municipality now has certainty regarding the underlying financing, and PSV has long-term clarity on its costs,” he explained.

He also highlighted the club’s improved financial position compared with 15 years ago, arguing that PSV are now significantly more solvent than they were at that time.

PSV hope to give the project the definitive green light by the end of this year. If the city council approves the proposals on December 15, the financing is secured and the designs are finalised, construction could begin as early as mid-May 2027.

The club’s intention is to expand at the existing Philips Stadion site rather than relocate to the outskirts of Eindhoven. Brands said previous studies had confirmed that the current location remained the best option for the future.

“On the current site, where it all began,” the PSV executive explained.

The long-term agreement would keep PSV at their historic home for decades, while the proposed expansion would increase capacity to 55,000. If the remaining financial and planning hurdles are cleared, the project could mark one of the most significant developments in the club’s history.