Huddersfield Giants to BUY Championship ground and relocate

Huddersfield Giants have announced plans to relocate to Dewsbury Rams’ Flair Stadium from the 2027 season, subject to approval from the RFL board.

The club announced the move at half-time of their Super League fixture against Catalans Dragons, bringing an end to months of uncertainty over where they would play next season.

Giants owner Ken Davy has committed to investing more than £10 million into the Dewsbury ground, with plans to increase its capacity from around 5,000 to 8,000.

Huddersfield Giants’ new home

The proposed redevelopment includes redevelopment of the stadium’s main stand and adjacent terrace, new spectator terraces behind both ends of the ground, increased pitch dimensions as well as new hospitality facilities, bars and food areas.

There will also be new dressing rooms for both men’s and women’s teams, the match officials and improved media facilities.

Dewsbury, who currently play in the Championship, will remain at the stadium and remain their own entity, with the Giants buying the land but not the club. That said, the clubs will now forge a strong collaboration which will see the clubs share resource, including players. The stadium will also be dual-branded.

Huddersfield have been searching for a new base in the area after their time at the Accu Stadium came to an end, with Davy previously exploring a number of alternatives, including Halifax’s Shay Stadium.

Their new home sits in the Kirklees borough, but Davy said the club’s long-term ambition remained to build a purpose-built stadium in Huddersfield.

“It’s no secret that as a club, we have fought to find a home in Huddersfield,” he said. “We had to move from Fartown, from Leeds Road, and now from the Accu Stadium. But the Huddersfield Giants will not retreat. We will not compromise or quietly shuffle into the shadows.

“While we remain the Huddersfield Giants, I am proud to announce that our stage for the 2027 season and beyond is Dewsbury. The Flair Stadium is the perfect location for us, it will have the right capacity and facilities for the Giants and its fans to thrive while we continue the search for our permanent home.

“Our one giant future starts now. My overriding aim is to create a purpose-built stadium within Huddersfield for the Giants to call home. My commitment on that has not wavered. However, that was not feasible for the 2027 season.”

Giants executive chairman Ralph Rimmer said the move would provide supporters with a more ‘intimate’ matchday experience.

“The Giants’ future is bright, and we are excited to lead the club into this new era,” he said. For fans, the matchday experience will be our focus. A smaller, more intimate ground means the crowd is closer to the action, letting the atmosphere grow and support the team out on the pitch.

“The Flair Stadium offers everything that supporters need from parking and accessibility to corporate hospitality and function rooms. We can’t wait to welcome you for the 2027 season and beyond to be a part of the Giant future we have in store.”

An exciting new era for Dewsbury Rams

Dewsbury chairman and owner Mark Sawyer welcomed the agreement, which he described as a new era for the Rams.

“This marks the dawn of an incredibly exciting new era for the Dewsbury Rams,” he said. “We are absolutely thrilled to welcome the Huddersfield Giants to the Flair Stadium, transforming our home into a premier venue that will proudly host both top-tier Super League and Championship rugby.

“Our clubs have built a strong relationship on and off the pitch for years, and after months of positive discussions, we have secured a future where both teams will truly flourish. I want to extend a massive thank you to the Davy family for their unwavering dedication to ensuring rugby league thrives right here in Kirklees.

“We cannot wait to see this vision come to life and provide our fans with a first-class facility on a true rugby league ground.”