In an announcement made by Oxford United, it has been revealed that the construction of their new stadium, which includes a hotel, will cost over £100 million.
The club has distributed a factsheet to councillors and MPs outlining their proposal to relocate from the Kassam Stadium to a new site called The Triangle at Stratfield Brake.
According to the factsheet, the club is confident that the funds required for the project will be raised through market investments, with the owners of the club providing financial security. The planned stadium is seen as a significant investment in Oxfordshire, offering a new home for the county's only professional sports club and serving as a commercial and community hub for Kidlington and north Oxford.
The seating capacity of the new stadium is expected to range between 16,000 and 18,000, allowing for integration into The Triangle site while maintaining open space and a green barrier between Oxford and Kidlington. If the project receives planning approval, the construction and site testing phase may take up to 18 months. Throughout the construction process, the club plans to engage with the local community and provide regular updates. The targeted opening date for the new stadium is the 2026/2027 football season, as the lease for their current home, the Kassam Stadium, expires in 2026.
The factsheet also highlights that the new stadium will serve as more than just a venue for football matches. The club is developing proposals for various other uses within the stadium building, including plans for a hotel that will generate revenue and create employment opportunities for the local area. Additionally, the club is considering incorporating a restaurant, gym, flexible meeting rooms, and other health and well-being facilities within the stadium structure.
The construction of the stadium is expected to create 380 jobs, with an additional 340 full-time jobs and 170 indirect full-time jobs to be generated once the facility is operational. The Triangle site is owned by the county council.
Oxford United is open to suggestions and feedback from the community to ensure that the proposed development benefits both the club and the local residents. The aim is to create a visitor-focused destination that offers a range of amenities, including a stadium, hotel, community spaces, hospitality areas, health facilities, outdoor areas, and a club shop. Photo by Richard Rogerson, Wikimedia commons.