BRADFORD BULLS remain confident of continuing to play at Odsal after the Rugby Football League put the lease of the stadium up for sale – with the proviso that any new owners agree to keep the club there.
The governing body purchased it from the then-version of the Bulls for a reported seven-figure sum in January 2012 and have been leasing the venue on a 150-year term from Bradford Metropolitan District Council on a peppercorn rent.
That move, under which the club became tenants rather than owners, was to safeguard the future of the famous stadium, which is situated on prime land close to a motorway and a gateway to the city.
Bradford, in their various forms, have played there since 1934, except for seasons 2001 and 2002, when they shared Bradford City FC’s Valley Parade ground, and then a spell between February 2020 and April 2021, when they ground shared at Dewsbury due to risings costs at Odsal.
The stadium is also the home of Odsal Motorsport, who have a licence running until 2041, allowing up to 20 events annually.
Jonathan Hyland, partner with Knight Frank in Leeds, who is advising the RFL, said: “This is an absolutely fantastic opportunity to acquire one of the most famous sporting stadia in Yorkshire.
“Odsal has a wonderful history and is one of the jewels in the crown of the city of Bradford.
“We expect a good deal of interest in this sale, given Odsal’s reputation, high profile and location.
“Once a preferred buyer has been chosen, they will be granted a period of exclusivity during which they will be required to agree terms for a formal lease with Bradford Bulls.”
Robert Graham, the RFL’s director of finance, facilities and central services, said: “The RFL purchased Odsal because of a specific set of circumstances, which at the time involved a real danger that an historic venue for Rugby League could be lost to the sport.
“This was never envisaged as a permanent position for a national governing body, and after acting as custodians for more than a decade, and with two tenants in Bradford Bulls and Odsal Motorsport, the circumstances have now developed sufficiently to explore options for sale.”
Bulls chief executive Jason Hirst said: “We are aware that the RFL are now seeking expressions of interest to potentially sell their leasehold of Odsal Stadium and we understand their reasons for this, particularly with the new IMG grading system being introduced, which puts significant obligations on stadium owners.
“We have been continually reassured that the RFL’s primary objective has always been the protection of professional Rugby League in Bradford and this was and has been repeated once again as part of this potential sale process.
“Given those assurances, we don’t therefore believe there is any immediate threat to the club’s occupancy of Odsal Stadium and as such, fully expect the club to play all of its home fixtures there in 2024.”
