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Oxford United chief executive Tim Williams has revealed that the club is not currently looking to build a fourth stand at the Kassam Stadium following promotion to the Championship, while its plans for a new stadium have been backed by Oxford City Council.
Kassam Stadium has a capacity of 12,500 and one of the ends behind the goal does not feature a stand.
Ahead of the club’s first season in the second tier of English football in 25 years, United has sold more than 7,000 season tickets. Amid the heightened demand for tickets, the club has been exploring the potential of adding a fourth stand.
“We have undertaken extensive feasibility work and modelling, and looked at various proposals to see if this could be viable for the upcoming campaign,” said Williams. “Unfortunately, both operationally and financially, this simply isn’t something we can take forward at this current time, but it will remain under review.”
Williams added: “Promotion to the Championship means we have to meet very strict facilities criteria, which requires significant investment. At the Kassam, we have a major works programme taking place that will see the installation of goal-line technology, new floodlights, enhancements to the changing rooms, new dugouts being installed, an upgrade to the tunnel, plus numerous other improvements.”
In other news, Oxford City Council has backed United’s plans for a new all-electric, 16,000-capacity stadium north of the city on an area of land known as ‘The Triangle’. The club already has a legally binding lease option with Oxfordshire County Council for the land.
Last month, it emerged that United’s planning application for a new stadium will now be considered in early 2025, with the club “actively exploring” short-term provisions for the period between its Kassam Stadium lease expiring in 2026 and the new venue being ready.
The plans were submitted back in February, and the club had been hoping to move into the stadium by 2026. A decision had been expected by June 21 this year, but the application will not be considered until early 2025.
As a result of the delay, the club is exploring short-term stadium options for 2026 onwards as the new stadium will not be ready in time for the start of the 2026-27 season. United said it is “advancing its conversations” around short-term provisions, but no decision on a temporary home venue has yet been made.
The additional information that has been requested by Oxfordshire County Council and Cherwell District Council covers areas such as transport, ecology, biodiversity and health impact.
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