Bradford Bulls bid to secure their home at Odsal

The Board of Bradford Bulls Rugby League Club has confirmed it has submitted an offer to reacquire the leasehold interest in Odsal Stadium.

It notes the decision to put forward this offer was made “after very careful consideration”, and that the club’s bid to secure its home at the stadium will be discussed at the RFL Council on 24 July 2024.

The board adds it understands the RFL Board will present the club’s offer as the preferred bid to the members and they will listen to their views before finalising their decision.

Bradford Bulls CEO, Jason Hirst, said: “It is well documented that the running costs of Odsal are very, very substantial so once the RFL decided to sell the lease we had to think hard about whether we could afford to take it on.

“The club’s board concluded that Odsal was our spiritual home and we should do all we can to bring the stadium back into the ownership of the club, to protect rugby league in the city.”

Hirst has reportedly confirmed that the Bulls have offered an initial fee of £100,000 for the lease, which was sold to the RFL for around £1.2m in 2012, with a further £160,000 to be paid over five years.

He has also explained the RFL would get 50% of proceeds up to £1m if the Bulls sell the lease at any point in the next 10 years.

Opened in 1934, Odsal is a multi-purpose sports stadium covering 12.85 acres and is the home of Odsal Motorsport, as well as the Bradford Bulls.

The Rugby Football League Ltd (RFL) currently leases Odsal on a 150-year term from Bradford Council on a peppercorn rent.