Football club occupies newly completed 8,500 seat stadium

York City Football Club has formally occupied the recently finished  LNER Community Stadium complex from January 11.

Its first game is due to be held on Tuesday 19 January, when it will take on Gateshead in a National League clash.

Councillor Nigel Ayre, York City Council executive member for finance and performance, said: “We would like to thank York City Football Club for their input and involvement in the project and we look forward to a very bright future for both of the city’s sporting teams.

“We look forward to welcoming Gateshead FC later this month. Our aim throughout our work on the York Community Stadium project has been to deliver an incredible stadium and wider leisure facility for supporters, residents and the wider York community.

“The new stadium boasts 8,500 seats and has already been recognised by the FA and RFL as one of the finest smaller stadiums in the country, with both organisations looking to use the site in the future, not just for the Rugby World Cup later this year.”

Jason McGill, chairman of York City Football Club, added: “On behalf of everyone at York City Football Club, our staff players and supporters, we thank the council for delivering this great stadium and look forward to our next chapter, with the LNER Community Stadium as our home.”

The stadium, which will also accommodate York City Knights Rugby League team, features a community hub, including a library and community offices for York’s sports clubs, a York Against Cancer shop and offices, NHS outpatient services, along with new swimming facilities, a gym, dance studio and sports hall with spectator seating.