Kassam Stadium facts for kids
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| Full name | Kassam Stadium |
|---|---|
| Location | Grenoble Road, Littlemore, Oxford, England, OX4 4XP |
| Coordinates | 51°42′59″N 1°12′29″W / 51.71639°N 1.20806°W |
| Owner | Firoka Group |
| Operator | Oxford United F.C. |
| Capacity | 12,500 |
| Field size | 112 × 78 yards |
| Surface | Grass |
| Construction | |
| Built | 1997 |
| Opened | 2001 |
| Construction cost | £15m |
| Architect | ACP Architecture Ltd |
| Tenants | |
| Oxford United (2001–present) London Welsh (2012–2015) |
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The Kassam Stadium is the exciting home ground for Oxford United F.C.. It is also sometimes called Grenoble Road. The stadium gets its name from its owner and the football club's former chairman, Firoz Kassam.
The Kassam Stadium was built when Oxford United was playing in a higher football division. However, the team was relegated to a lower division before the stadium opened in 2001. They even dropped to the fifth tier of English football in 2005–06. Before moving here, the club played at The Manor Ground from 1925.
After Oxford United earned promotion from League One at the end of the 2023–24 season, the stadium hosted Championship (second-tier) games. This was a first for the stadium in the 2024–25 season.
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Building the Stadium
On June 7, 1995, Oxford United Football Club announced big news. They planned to replace their old Manor Ground with a new stadium. This new stadium would have 16,000 seats. It was to be built in the Blackbird Leys area of Oxford.
Building work started in the summer of 1996 with a company called Taylor Woodrow. But work stopped in December 1996. This happened because of money problems, and the builders were not paid. Oxford United first said it was just a long Christmas break.
The stadium was first known as Minchery Farm, named after its location. The club faced many money issues. No more work happened on the site until February 2000. This was after Firoz Kassam bought the club in April 1999. There were also many legal problems with local groups and companies.
The building company changed to Birse Construction. Firoz Kassam helped solve the club's money troubles. During this time, Oxford United's performance on the field changed. They had to sell some of their best players. After being promoted in 1996, they were relegated twice. This meant they were in the bottom division in the 2001–02 season.
Stadium Opening and History
The Kassam Stadium officially belongs to one of Firoz Kassam's companies. The very first football match played here was on August 4, 2001. It was a friendly game against Crystal Palace. Oxford United won after a 1–1 draw, decided by penalties. Paul Powell scored the first goal for the club at the stadium.
The first official league match took place a week later, on August 11. Oxford United played against Rochdale in the Football League Third Division. United lost this game 2–1. Jamie Brooks scored for Oxford. Since then, the stadium has also hosted rugby union games. It even held an under-17 international football tournament in 2002.
In March 2006, Oxford United fans tried to unofficially rename the stadium "The United Stadium." They wanted to show their unity and concern about the club's direction. However, most fans and local news still call it the Kassam Stadium.
In May 2012, the rugby union club London Welsh moved their home games to the Kassam Stadium. This happened after they were promoted to the English Premiership. Their first Premiership game there was on September 2, 2012. The rugby club moved back to their old home in Richmond after being relegated in 2015.
Plans for a New Stadium
In January 2022, news came out that Oxford United might leave the Kassam Stadium. They were thinking about building a new stadium at Stratfield Brake near Kidlington.
In February 2023, Oxford United shared plans for a new 'all-electric' stadium. It would have 16,000 seats and open in 2026. The proposed site is called the Triangle, also in Kidlington. Oxfordshire County Council agreed to lease the land to the club. The site is near Oxford Parkway railway station.
In June 2024, the decision on the new stadium was delayed until early 2025. This was to allow more work on the plans. In May 2025, the club and Firoka Group agreed to extend their stay at the Kassam Stadium until 2028. This extension depends on the new stadium getting planning permission. On August 14, 2025, Cherwell District Council granted planning permission for the new stadium. This decision still needs final approval from the Secretary of State.
Stadium Records
The most people ever to watch a game at the Kassam Stadium was 12,243. This was for Oxford's final match of the 2005–06 League Two season. They lost 3–2 to Leyton Orient, which meant they were relegated from the Football League.
Another big crowd was 12,177 for a League Cup game against Aston Villa in 2002. In 2006, a friendly game against Manchester United brought in 11,463 fans. On Boxing Day 2006, a record 11,065 people watched a game against Woking. This record was broken in 2010 with 11,963 fans for a play-off game. In January 2016, 11,673 people watched Oxford beat Swansea City in the FA Cup.
The stadium has also hosted concerts. In June 2006, Sir Elton John performed to about 16,500 people.
Stadium Design and Features
A special part of the stadium is the shiny glass panels at the main entrance. These panels reflect light.
The stadium has many rooms for meetings and events. The South Stand has 28 private boxes. Each box can hold up to 20 people.
The ground has three main stands:
- The North Stand is used by both home and visiting fans. It can hold 5,026 people.
- The East Stand is where the loudest home fans sit. It can hold 2,879 people.
- The South Stand is the main building. It has offices, changing rooms, and the executive boxes. This stand has two levels. The lower level includes a special Family Section. It can hold 4,495 people.
In March 2008, a bronze statue of an ox was placed outside the stadium. This statue was later damaged in January 2011.
Rugby Union Games
The Kassam Stadium has been used for important rugby matches. On March 2, 2003, it hosted a semi-final game. Northampton Saints played London Irish, with Northampton winning 38–9. Over 10,000 fans watched this game.
On May 30, 2012, London Welsh RFC played a play-off final here. They won against Cornish Pirates 29–20. This win helped them get promoted to the English Premiership.
The stadium became London Welsh's home ground for the 2012–13 season. They needed a stadium that could hold at least 10,000 people. London Welsh played their first Premiership game here on September 2, 2012. They lost to Leicester Tigers in front of 6,850 fans.
Even after being relegated, London Welsh continued to play at the Kassam Stadium for another season. However, in June 2015, they moved back to their old ground.
Getting to the Stadium
The stadium has a car park, but it is shared with a cinema and other places. There is an extra car park nearby for busy times.
Thames Travel offers special bus services on match days. These buses run from different parts of the city to the stadium.
Other Uses of the Stadium
The Kassam Stadium has been used for more than just sports. In 2003, it was mentioned as a possible place to help people if London ever needed to be partly evacuated. It also provided shelter for people from Abingdon during floods in 2007.
Every year, the stadium hosts the Oxfordshire Senior Cup final. It has also held an Under-17 international football tournament and an Elton John concert. In 2021, the stadium's conference center became a large vaccination center during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Local Story
In 2001, a local story spread about the stadium. The Bishop of Oxford Richard Harries performed a special ceremony. This was because the team had lost many games at the new stadium. Some people blamed a "gypsy curse" on the club. This curse was supposedly placed by a Roma man who had been moved from the site during construction.
See also
In Spanish: Kassam Stadium para niños
