Oxford United have once again ruled out the construction of a temporary fourth stand at Kassam Stadium, despite previously exploring the possibility after their promotion to the Championship.
After securing promotion from League One last season, Oxford United looked into expanding the stadium, but CEO Tim Williams confirmed that the project would not move forward, at least not in the immediate future.
He reiterated the club’s position in an interview on BBC Radio Oxford’s The Dub podcast, saying, “I would love there to be [a fourth stand], but we did an awful lot of work last summer on this, and we think we determined last summer we would make losses and lose money by doing it.”
Despite the club’s optimism about their recent promotion, Williams emphasized that building a fourth stand would come with significant financial risks, especially when the club is already working on multiple infrastructure projects, such as the training ground.
“To do something which is such a significant project over the summer when there is equally everything else to do… is going to be a hard sell,” Williams admitted.
“We will dust down that document and see what it looks like this summer, but it wouldn’t be right if I raised expectations that that’s going to happen,” Williams added.
Oxford United had initially explored the idea of a fourth stand after their promotion to the Championship, but it appears that the club’s resources and focus are being directed toward other key infrastructure projects. Williams confirmed that the priority remains on making sure the training ground is fully operational, alongside other ongoing projects.
The Kassam Stadium, named after former chairman Firoz Kassam, has been Oxford United’s home since 2001. While the stadium’s design has long been a point of debate among fans, particularly with its three stands, it is now facing increasing pressure to adapt as the club competes in the second tier of English football for the first time since its construction.
Despite this, Oxford United has also unveiled plans to build a new stadium in Kidlington, slated for completion in 2026. This ambitious new stadium project would see the club leave the Kassam Stadium behind, making this a pivotal time in Oxford’s history.
Writer’s View
Oxford United’s decision to hold off on expanding the Kassam Stadium seems practical given the current circumstances. With financial constraints and other infrastructure projects taking precedence, it’s understandable that the club would prioritise stability over potentially risky ventures.
Fans will be hoping that, in time, the club can find a sustainable solution for the future, possibly through the proposed new stadium in Kidlington. For now, it seems the club will continue to focus on maintaining their Championship status while keeping their long-term ambitions in sight.
