our Oxford United
Oxford united will lose their ground in a year or two, is there anywhere close that could groundshare with them?
Yes, if Oxford United really did lose the Kassam Stadium and the new stadium failed, there are a few possible groundshare options — but none are particularly attractive. Their geography makes it awkward because they are fairly isolated from other EFL clubs. Their Kassam licence situation is the issue: the current arrangement is only a short-term solution and the club has said it needs a permanent home.
The realistic options would probably be:
1. Adams Park — Wycombe Wanderers
Probably the most logical footballing option.
- Distance from Oxford: about 30 miles
- Modern-ish ground, EFL compliant
- Similar-sized club with a history of being outside the Football League elite
- Already has experience hosting different competitions
Problems:
- Oxford fans would hate the travel compared with the Kassam
- High Wycombe is not really Oxford
- Wycombe may not want a tenant
This would probably be the EFL's preferred sort of solution.
2. County Ground — Swindon Town
The traditional rival option.
- Around 30 miles away
- A proper football ground
- Large enough for League One/Championship requirements
The issue is obvious: Oxford and Swindon have one of the nastier rivalries outside the top divisions. A temporary move there would be hugely controversial.
It would be like Sheffield Wednesday having to share with Sheffield United — possible in an emergency, but nobody would enjoy it.
3. Select Car Leasing Stadium — Reading
Actually quite plausible geographically.
- About 25 miles away
- Championship-capable stadium
- Bigger than Oxford need
Problems:
- Reading have had their own ownership/stadium issues
- Transport links between Oxford and Reading are not perfect for matchdays
- Less of a football community fit
4. Sixfields Stadium — Northampton Town
A longer shot.
- Around 45 miles away
- Modern stadium
- Used to temporary arrangements (Northampton themselves spent years away from Sixfields during redevelopment issues)
But it is probably too far.
Could they use a non-league ground?
Technically, maybe:
- Court Place Farm (Oxford City)
- Lamex Stadium (a bit further)
But a League One/Championship club would need substantial upgrades, especially around:
- capacity
- segregation
- media facilities
- hospitality
- broadcast requirements
My ranking of likelihood if the new stadium collapsed:
- Stay at Kassam for another emergency extension (the least disruptive)
- Reading
- Wycombe
- Swindon (despite the rivalry)
- Northampton
The irony is that Oxford's best temporary option is probably the thing they are trying hardest to avoid: remaining tenants at the Kassam. The club's own argument is that without the new stadium they have no long-term future, because the current ground is not theirs.
Given Oxford's location, I think they are one of the few EFL clubs where losing their ground really would create a genuine crisis rather than just an inconvenience.