Oxford United Football Club have signed a crucial two-year extension as new stadium decision looms. The U’s will remain at the Kassam Stadium for at maximum two more seasons after reaching a key agreement with landlord Firoka Group, led by former club chairman Firoz Kassam.
The new deal, announced this week, extends United’s licence to play an extra at the Kassam Stadium through to June 2027, with the option of a further year if planning permission is granted for the club’s proposed new home at The Triangle, north of Oxford. However, both the club and Firoka have confirmed that no further extensions or lease renewals will be possible beyond this period.
A Critical Agreement for the Championship Club
The timing of the agreement is significant. The U’s, recently securing Championship football for another season, were facing considerable uncertainty about where they would play following the end of their existing licence in June 2026.
Oxford United chairman Grant Ferguson expressed relief and gratitude following the agreement:
“The club was facing some very difficult decisions on where to play after our licence expired in June 2026 and before our new stadium is ready,” said Ferguson.
“There has been a massive amount of work going on behind the scenes to get us to this point and I would like to place on record my thanks to Firoz Kassam who personally oversaw the discussions. Agreeing this goes well beyond the terms of our existing arrangement and demonstrates Firoz’s support for the club, particularly given this could potentially delay his plans for the site.”
The Kassam Stadium, which has housed Oxford United since 2001, is privately owned by Mr Kassam’s Firoka Group. While the venue has served the club for over two decades, its limitations, such as incomplete stands and limited control over the ground—have long been a point of frustration for fans and club leadership.
Kassam Stadium “Not a Long-Term Home”
The temporary nature of this new agreement has been made explicitly clear by both sides, reinforcing that Oxford United’s long-term future lies away from the Kassam site.
Cllr Susan Brown, Leader of Oxford City Council, welcomed the agreement but echoed the urgency for progress:
“We welcome the certainty this short-term lease extension provides… However, it is regrettable that such an arrangement is necessary,” she said.
“This joint agreement reinforces that the Kassam Stadium cannot provide a long-term home for the club. It underscores the importance of delivering a new, sustainable home that meets the long-term needs of Oxford United and the wider community.”
Oxford United submitted a planning application for a new 16,000-seater stadium at The Triangle in Kidlington to Cherwell District Council in February 2023. A decision is expected no sooner than June 2025.
What’s Next?
If approved, the new stadium project, designed to be more than just a football venue, would mark a major milestone for the club, promising state-of-the-art facilities, improved access, and a venue fit for Championship football and beyond.
Until then, the Kassam Stadium remains the home of Oxford United, albeit on borrowed time.
