Exclusive: Claim made on new Oxford United stadium to replace the Kassam | OneFootball

Joe Jacobson has given his take on whether Oxford United's new stadium plans can take them into the future.

Joe Jacobson has called on Oxford United to maintain their progress by advancing plans for a new stadium, urging the club to secure a home that matches its ambitions.

The U's have played at the Kassam Stadium since 2001, but leasing issues mean the club is only permitted to remain at the three-sided ground until 2026.

As a result, they have been forced to explore alternative options for development. United have proposed a new 16,000-seater stadium at The Triangle site near Kidlington, though a decision from planners is not expected until the summer.

This leaves the club in an uncertain position. Oxford’s chief executive, Tim Williams, has acknowledged that securing funding will be "challenging," but he remains optimistic that the project will appeal to potential investors.

Further addressing the challenges ahead, Williams openly expressed his concerns: "We are in a position where we have to move. This actually isn't now about moving into a stadium that will allow us to generate more revenue. This is about getting into a stadium.

"Fundamentally, if we don't have a stadium, we don't have a football club. It's appallingly as binary as that."

The next 18 months will be pivotal for Oxford. At a time when they are experiencing their highest point in 25 years, securing a new stadium is essential to ensuring the club’s future and ushering in a new era.

Joe Jacobson hoping to see Oxford United's future secured

Speaking exclusively to Football League World, ex-Wycombe Wanderers defender turned EFL pundit, Joe Jacobson, is hoping to see the club's stadium issues resolved swiftly.

"It has been really important for Oxford to get their new stadium in place," Jacobson told FLW.

"They have been under this cloud of ownership of the stadium - are they going to be able to continue past the lease running out? And where will they play their games?

"For a club of that size in the Championship, they shouldn't have that hanging over their head. They should have a stadium that they own, or that the owner owns, where they are free to play and call home.

"It is important for Oxford to get a stadium that suits the ambition of the football club and where they want to go. They're a Championship club at the minute, and hopefully, for them, they can stay there. A purpose-built stadium for themselves would be ideal, where they can start to build again and progress even further up the pyramid."

Oxford United don't know where they're playing in 2026-27

With just over a year remaining on the lease at the Kassam Stadium, it appears highly unlikely that Oxford will have a new stadium ready in time for the 2026-27 season.

Williams has admitted that he does not see groundsharing as a "good option" and would be willing to remain at their current ground if a new deal can be reached. However, while he concedes that this is not an "attractive", the club has few alternatives, as there are very few local grounds capable of accommodating United's average attendance of 11,330.