Bradford Bulls tried to secure their home at Odsal

The board of Bradford Bulls Rugby League club has confirmed it has submitted a bid to regain ownership of Odsal Stadium.

It notes that the decision to submit this bid 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 Board on 24 July 2024.

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

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

“The club’s board concluded that Odsal was our spiritual home and we should do everything we could to bring the stadium back into club ownership to protect rugby league in the town.”

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

He also explained that the RFL would receive 50% of the proceeds of up to £1m if the Bulls sell the lease at any time over 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.

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