🏫 KASSAM STADIUM 🏫
Oxford United Complete Travel Guide – 2026-27 Season
ℹ️ 2026-27 Season Guide: Oxford United are back in League One after relegation from the Championship in 2025-26. The club also has a major stadium move in the pipeline – see the redevelopment note below. All information has been researched and verified for 2026-27. Always check oufc.co.uk for the latest ticketing and matchday updates before you travel.
🏫 ABOUT THE KASSAM STADIUM
The Kassam Stadium has been home to Oxford United since 2001, replacing the much-loved but outdated Manor Ground. Named after former chairman Firoz Kassam, whose debt-clearing takeover in 1999 finally made the move possible, the ground sits south of Oxford city centre on Grenoble Road, between the Oxford Science Park and the Blackbird Leys estate. It’s a modern but slightly unusual stadium – built with only three sides, leaving the west end open behind one goal, since funds ran short of the original plan for a fully enclosed 16,000-capacity bowl.
The South Stand houses the club’s offices, conference facilities and executive boxes; the East Stand is the vocal home end; and the North Stand, the largest in the ground, is shared between home and away supporters.
Oxford United – The U’s – were founded in 1893 as Headington United, adopting their current name in 1960. The club’s proudest moment came in 1986, winning the League Cup at Wembley under a different top-flight era, and they’ve experienced everything from Conference football to a Championship return via the League One play-offs in 2024.
Relegation back to League One followed in 2025-26 after two seasons in the second tier. Local rivalries include Swindon Town and, to a lesser extent, Reading and Wycombe Wanderers, both of whom Oxford will face again in League One this season.
📊 STADIUM SPECIFICATIONS
| Capacity | 12,573 (all seated) |
| Opened | 2001 |
| Address | Grenoble Road, Oxford, OX4 4XP |
| Away Section | North Stand (shared with home supporters) |
| Away Allocation | Varies by fixture, within the shared 5,026-capacity North Stand |
| Record Attendance | 12,243 (League Two, final day, 2005-06 season) |
⚠️ Redevelopment note: Oxford’s lease at the Kassam was due to expire in 2026, but a short-term extension now runs to 2028. Planning permission was granted in August 2025 for a brand-new 16,000-capacity, all-electric stadium at “the Triangle” site near Kidlington, complete with a 180-bed hotel – expect this to progress through the 2026-27 season, though the club remains at the Kassam for now.
🚗 GETTING TO THE KASSAM STADIUM
The Kassam Stadium sits around 4 miles south of Oxford city centre and the railway station, in a retail and leisure park rather than a residential area. This is very much an out-of-town ground – walking from the station isn’t realistic for most fans, so budget for a bus or taxi at the Oxford end of your journey.
🗺️ STADIUM LOCATION MAP
Kassam Stadium Address: Grenoble Road, Oxford, OX4 4XP
🚂 BY TRAIN – Plan the Last Few Miles
Oxford station is well connected from across the country, but it’s around 4 miles from the ground, so factor in a bus or taxi to finish the journey.
Journey Times to Oxford Station:
🔴 London Paddington: Around 1 hour (direct)
🟠 Birmingham New Street: Around 1 hour 15 minutes (direct)
🟡 Reading: Around 25 minutes (direct)
🟢 Bristol Temple Meads: Around 1 hour (direct)
🔵 Swindon: Around 30 minutes (direct)
🚌 From the station to the ground: Take a taxi (around £10-20, journey time 15-20 minutes) or the Oxford Bus Company’s number 5 or 3A service, both of which run from the city centre towards the stadium. Walking is possible but takes well over an hour along uninspiring main roads – not recommended unless you have plenty of time to spare.
🔗 Useful Links: National Rail Journey Planner | Oxford Bus Company
🚗 BY CAR
From London/South East: M40 to Junction 8, then follow signs for the A40/Eastern Bypass and A4142 towards Cowley, then follow stadium signs. From Birmingham/North: M40 southbound to Junction 8, then as above. From Bristol/West: M4 eastbound, then A34 northbound to Oxford.
🅿️ Parking: Ample on-site parking (around 2,000 spaces), historically free, though arrive early for a straightforward exit and to guarantee a space. Surrounding housing estates offer further options if the main car park fills up.
⚠️ Note: Oxford’s ring road (A4142) can get congested on matchdays – allow extra time, especially just before kick-off and immediately after the final whistle.
🍺 PUBS & FOOD NEAR THE KASSAM STADIUM
Be warned: the Kassam sits in a retail and industrial area with no proper pubs within easy walking distance. Most away fans either drink in Oxford city centre beforehand, or make use of the leisure complex right next to the ground.
🍺 AT THE STADIUM (KASSAM LEISURE PARK)
The leisure complex right next to the ground has a Frankie & Benny’s, TGI Friday’s, a bowling alley (Hollywood Bowl), and a Holiday Inn Express with a decent-sized bar showing Sky Sports, which is generally welcoming to football fans. All get busy on matchdays – book ahead if you want a table for food.
Distance to Stadium: On the footprint | Price: ££
🍺 THE GEORGE, LITTLEMORE
Popular with visiting supporters as a good halfway point between Oxford and the ground, around 10 minutes from the stadium.
Distance to Stadium: 10 mins | Price: ££
🍺 THE CATHERINE WHEEL, SANDFORD-ON-THAMES
A traditional pub around 10-15 minutes’ walk from the ground, often recommended by other clubs’ away-day guides as the sensible choice for a proper pre-match pint near the Kassam.
Distance to Stadium: 10-15 mins walk | Price: ££
🍽️ OXFORD CITY CENTRE (RECOMMENDED IF ARRIVING EARLY)
If you’re arriving by train, it’s well worth spending time in Oxford’s historic centre before heading out to the ground. George Street has plenty of larger bars, while The Bear (one of England’s oldest pubs, dating from 1242), the Old Bookbinders Ale House, and Jude the Obscure are all well-regarded traditional options. Most Oxford pubs are welcoming to away fans, though some may ask for discretion with colours.
Distance to Stadium: City centre, 4 miles from ground | Price: ££-£££
🏨 WHERE TO STAY IN OXFORD
Oxford hotel prices can spike during university term time (roughly October to June) and in peak summer, so book ahead. Staying Sunday night after a Saturday match is often cheaper than the Saturday itself.
£ BUDGET OPTIONS
Premier Inn Oxford Cowley
The closest Premier Inn to the stadium is in Cowley off Garsington Road, around a 10-minute drive from the ground. Free on-site parking, reliable budget comfort, and a bus stop nearby with routes into the city centre.
🔗 Booking: premierinn.com
Premier Inn Oxford Botley
On the west side of the city with a bus route into the centre and a retail park next door. Good value and a solid alternative if Cowley is booked up.
🔗 Booking: premierinn.com
Travelodge Oxford Peartree
Budget chain option on the northern edge of the city near the Peartree Park & Ride, with easy bus access into the centre.
🔗 Booking: travelodge.co.uk
££ MID-RANGE OPTIONS
Holiday Inn Express Oxford (near the stadium)
Right next to the Kassam Stadium itself – the most convenient option if you want minimal travel on matchday, with a bar on site that’s welcoming to away fans.
🔗 Booking: ihg.com
Premier Inn Oxford City Centre (Westgate)
A 5-10 minute walk from the historic centre and close to the train station – ideal if you want to combine the match with proper sightseeing and a night in Oxford’s pubs.
🔗 Booking: premierinn.com
Mercure Oxford Hawkwell House
A comfortable, characterful hotel in Iffley, close to the river and a reasonable distance from both the city centre and the ground.
🔗 Booking: mercure.com
£££ PREMIUM OPTIONS
The Randolph Hotel, by Graduate Hotels
Oxford’s grand Victorian Gothic landmark hotel, right in the heart of the historic centre opposite the Ashmolean Museum. The classic choice for a proper Oxford stay.
🔗 Booking: graduatehotels.com
Old Bank Hotel
A stylish boutique hotel on the High Street, in a converted historic bank building with views over the colleges – genuinely one of the best located hotels in the city.
🔗 Booking: oldbank-hotel.co.uk
🎯 THINGS TO DO IN OXFORD
Oxford is one of England’s great university cities, and well worth arriving early for if the Kassam’s limited pre-match options leave you wanting more.
🏆 TOP ATTRACTIONS
The Ashmolean Museum
Britain’s oldest public museum, with world-class art and archaeology collections – and free entry.
Oxford University Natural History Museum
A stunning Victorian building housing dinosaur skeletons and natural history exhibits – also free.
The Colleges & Bodleian Library
Wandering the historic college quads and the famous Bodleian Library area is free and one of England’s most atmospheric city walks.
⚽ MATCHDAY TIPS
🚆 Plan Your Last Mile: The Kassam’s out-of-town location means you must sort a bus or taxi from Oxford station – don’t try to walk it.
🏫 Watch This Space: Oxford’s move to a brand-new 16,000-capacity stadium is progressing – expect updates through the season, though a move isn’t likely before 2028.
🍺 City Centre First: If time allows, drink in Oxford’s historic pubs before heading to the ground – the options right by the stadium are limited.
💭 FINAL THOUGHTS
A trip to the Kassam Stadium is really a trip to Oxford first and a football match second – the ground itself is a functional, out-of-town stadium with limited character and even more limited pre-match options nearby. But the city it sits four miles from is one of England’s genuine greats, packed with history, world-class free museums, and centuries-old pubs.
Our advice? Get the train to Oxford station, spend a couple of hours exploring the colleges and enjoying a pint at The Bear, then bus or taxi out to the ground in good time. With a new stadium in the pipeline for the coming years, this era of Oxford away days at the Kassam won’t last forever – but for now, treat it as an excuse for a proper Oxford day out with football attached.
🟡⚫ Come On You Yellows! ⚽
📞 USEFUL CONTACTS
🏫 Oxford United: oufc.co.uk
🚂 National Rail: nationalrail.co.uk
🚌 Oxford Bus Company: oxfordbus.co.uk
ℹ️ Visit Oxford: experienceoxfordshire.org
💬 SHARE YOUR EXPERIENCE
Did this guide help you? Have you been to the Kassam Stadium? Share your away day stories and tips!
Find us on social media: #OxfordUnited #KassamStadium #Oxford #TheUs #AwayDays #LeagueOne #OUFC #FootballNonsense
🏫 Part of the Football Nonsense League One Away Days Collection
For more away day guides, visit footballnonsense.co.uk
© 2026 Football Nonsense. All rights reserved. No part of this guide may be reproduced without permission.
John Herman is a Leeds-based, would-be football writer and founder of Football Nonsense. Blending fan passion with sharp opinion, attempting to tackle the game’s biggest debates, from the terraces to the boardroom, with honesty, (attempted) humour, and heart.