Oxford United have discovered a new date for when they must leave the Kassam Stadium.
The U’s have played at the ground, which is named after their former owner Firoz Kassam and has only three stands, since 2001.
Oxford have played at the 12,500-capacity Kassam Stadium for 24 yearsGettyKassam sold the club in 2006 to local businessman Nick Merry for a reported £2million but has still retained the stadium ownership.
He has done so through his hospitality and real estate company Firoka Group, with the Championship side acting as the tenants.
Oxford and Firoka Group had a license agreement that ran until June 2026 but a new short-term extension has been agreed.
As announced by the club, it has been prolonged for a maximum of two more years to take the agreement through until 2028.
The license runs for another year at least, and there is the option for a second that’s dependant on planning approval for a new stadium.
Once the end of the agreement has been reached, both parties have confirmed that no more agreements or extensions will be available.
“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,” Oxford chairman Grant Ferguson said.
“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 which led to this short-term extension being signed.
“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.
“We can now move forward with certainty as both parties look to the future.”
Oxford will have to leave the Kassam Stadium by 2028 at the latestGettyKassam added: “Oxford United have been a hugely important part of my life for over 25 years, but now is the right time for all of us to look to the next chapter.
“Agreeing to this extension allows Firoka Group to focus on developing the wider site for local people and the city of Oxford, whilst providing the Club with clarity in the short-term.
“It’s now up to others to approve planning to guarantee Oxford United’s long-term future.”
Oxford, who were founded in 1893 as Headington FC, did not have a permanent home until they moved into Manor Ground in 1925.
Kassam bought the club in 1999 and then the old stadium two years later for £6m before selling it to developers at twice the price.
Following their current stadium’s opening 24 years ago, Firoka Group built a leisure complex on the adjacent land.
Oxford have unveiled their plans for a new stadiumAFL Architects / Oxford UnitedHowever, the ground has long been famed for its absence of a fourth stand and how that area is currently used as car parking.
Construction has previously been explored but CEO Tim Williams last year said that ‘operationally and financially’, it couldn’t be achieved.
Oxford have plans to build a new 16,000-capacity stadium, with a 180 bedroom hotel, restaurant and gym also included.
However, these were delayed to allow Cherwell District Council to ‘consider additional information’ regarding the proposals.
June 5 is now the earliest date that the plans can be considered.
Oxford City Council leader Susan Brown welcomed the Kassam lease extension but said it ‘highlights the urgency’ for new stadium plans.
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