Oxford United's new 16,000-capacity stadium, including a hotel, will cost more than £100m.

The club has sent out a factsheet to councillors and MPs about the proposal to move from the Kassam Stadium to a new stadium on land called The Triangle at Stratfield Brake.

This anticipates that the club would invest at least £100m on its new home.

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The factsheet said: "The club is confident that the money will be raised in the markets, with the security of its owners standing behind the club.

"This is a major investment in Oxfordshire, providing a new home for the county’s sole professional sports club and a new commercial and community hub for Kidlington and north Oxford.

Witney Gazette: The Triangle is south of Kidlington roundabout

"If the project proceeds, the seating capacity will be in the 16,000 to 18,000 range, a size that is smaller than many other grounds but that will allow integration into The Triangle site with open space and a green barrier enhanced and maintained between Oxford and Kidlington.

"If a planning application is approved it is likely that groundworks, construction and site testing may take up to 18 months.

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"The club will continue to engage with the local community during construction, and will provide community updates when the building is finished. The planned opening date would be for the 2026/2027 football season."

The club's lease on its current home, the Kassam Stadium, runs out in 2026.

The factsheet adds that the stadium will be "much more than a venue for football matches".

It said: "The club is still developing its proposals for the other uses within the stadium building and for the management of the enhanced green spaces at the Triangle.

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"There are plans for a hotel to be incorporated into the stadium structure, providing a source of revenue for the club and an economic boost for Kidlington and north Oxford with new jobs and opportunities for local businesses.

"Several other commercial and community uses are being considered for the spaces under the stands.

"These will include a restaurant, a gym plus other health and well-being uses.

"Flexible meeting rooms could be available for work events, small conferences, seminars and community events.

"At this stage the club is very open to suggestions about what uses could bring mutual benefit to the club and the community and will consider all feedback from the consultation events it is holding before finalising the proposals."

The facilities listed below are to be included in a single building, providing a visitor-focused destination for the community.

  • 16,000 capacity stadium (including safe standing)
  • 200-bed hotel, restaurant and café for visitors
  • Flexible community space for meetings, education and groups
  • Hospitality spaces for match day and non-match day conferencing and events
  • Active health benefits and facilities
  • Outdoor community and multi-functional plaza
  • Club shop.

The club said construction of the stadium will create 380 jobs, with a further 340 full-time jobs created, and 170 'indirect' full-time jobs created.

The county council owns The Triangle site.

Witney Gazette:

The club factsheet said: "As agreed under a Memorandum of Understanding with Oxfordshire County Council, the club will not submit a planning application unless an agreement for a lease or purchase of the land is agreed and it has also taken on board community feedback from the consultation period.

"While a date is not yet firm the club hopes to be able to submit a planning application to Cherwell District Council in the autumn if the county council decides to lease or sell the land.

"A decision could then take a few months and will be subject to the statutory planning process requirements."

In a recent 'parish poll', out of 3,006 ballot papers, 928 local residents voted yes to the stadium, 2,073 voted no, and five papers were rejected in the poll, which was not legally binding.

Only 29.99 per cent of eligible residents voted.

The club and the county council were asked to comment further on the contents of the factsheet but declined.

Fans group OXVOX - Oxford United Independent Supporters Trust - has not yet commented.

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About the author 

Andy is the Trade and Tourism reporter for the Oxford Mail and you can sign up to his newsletters for free here. 

He joined the team more than 20 years ago and he covers community news across Oxfordshire.

His Trade and Tourism newsletter is released every Saturday morning. 

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