Oxford Stadium is set to close permanently after its primary broadcaster announced it would stop covering races at the venue. The decision by Sports Information Services to withdraw its support from 6 April 2026 has effectively ended the stadium’s ability to operate, as the venue relies on the broadcaster for its main revenue.
Managing director Kevin Boothby, who secured a 10-year lease for the site in 2021, confirmed the news in an email to staff and trainers. The broadcaster cited extreme losses over the past two years and recent changes to betting duty as the reasons for cutting its fixtures. The venue, which first opened in 1939 and previously operated for 73 years before closing in 2012, only returned to operation in 2022 following a decade-long absence and a period of financial hardship that saw it enter administration in 2023.
The closure is expected to have a direct impact on the local community, with roughly 20 direct jobs at the stadium lost, alongside further consequences for those working in catering and transport roles. The Greyhound Board of Great Britain, which oversees the sport, has stated its immediate priority is the welfare of the dogs currently connected to the track. Mark Bird, the chief executive of the regulatory body, noted that they are working to support trainers and their staff during the transition.
While the closure creates uncertainty for employees and local trainers, it has been welcomed by animal welfare groups. The RSPCA issued a statement describing the sport as inherently dangerous and urged the government to follow the lead of Scotland and Wales by phasing out greyhound racing. Campaign groups, including CAGED Nationwide, have also celebrated the move as a significant development.
Paul Killen, who led the consortium that previously saved the stadium, has indicated that the venue required new sponsorship to remain viable. As the gates prepare to shut, community discussion has shifted toward what might happen to the land at the Sandy Lane site in the future.
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