Halifax Panthers to Play Next 5 Home Games are Rival's Stadium Amid Shay Pitch Redevelopment
Halifax Panthers have confirmed a surprising temporary move to play their 2024 home fixtures at the iconic Odsal Stadium — the home ground of fierce rivals Bradford Bulls — while The Shay undergoes major pitch redevelopment.
The club had already announced that five of their home games would need to be relocated this summer, with The Shay's surface set to be completely overhauled ahead of a broader regeneration project backed by new owner Ken Davy.
Panthers CEO Damian Clayton described the decision as "short-term pain for long-term gain", admitting that the move to Odsal will be met with mixed emotions from supporters.
Initially, Halifax aimed to stay local by staging games at Siddal’s Exley Lane ground. However, the Rugby Football League (RFL) blocked the proposal due to operational regulations that differ for regular Championship matches, despite the venue having hosted Challenge Cup ties in the past. The RFL’s decision was only formally communicated to the club last Friday.
An alternative approach to use Huddersfield’s John Smith’s Stadium was also rejected, leaving Halifax with few options.
“With Siddal ruled out and no interest from the John Smith’s Stadium, we were left to progress our contingency plan,” Clayton said. “This morning we received approval to use Odsal.”
While acknowledging the rivalry with Bradford, Clayton praised Bulls CEO Jason Hirst and General Manager Tracey Erby for their support.
“The reality is Bradford supported us last year during a tough financial period. Right now, this isn’t about rivalry — it’s about what’s best for Halifax Panthers.”
Clayton also emphasised that using multiple venues over the summer would have created unnecessary disruption.
“Odsal is the nearest Championship stadium to The Shay and allows us to keep our commercial commitments, maintain sponsorship agreements and offer supporters consistency. It’s the most logical and financially viable solution.”
The Panthers are scheduled to return to The Shay in September, where fans can look forward to a completely renovated, high-quality playing surface.
“We know it’s a tough pill to swallow,” Clayton concluded. “But this move allows us to plan for a better long-term future. We need our fans and partners to stick with us – this short-term disruption will bring long-term benefits.”